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Thanks to Maddie, Dogs Playing for Life Receives $50K to Expand Shelter Dog Enrichment
PLEASANTON, CA--(Marketwired - September 07, 2016) - Maddie's Fund®, a national family foundation based in Pleasanton, CA, awarded Dogs Playing for Life™ (DPFL) $50,000 to expand the reach of their lifesaving education program model to 10 additional at-risk animal shelters across the nation. This program provides behavioral health enrichment for shelter dogs in the form of playgroups. DPFL will deliver educational seminars for not only the shelter staff and volunteers at these 10 locations, but also to all the neighboring rescue groups' and shelters' staff and volunteers, for maximum lifesaving impact within a community.
Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL), a non-profit organization that has worked with over 150 shelters in the U.S. and Canada, is leading an industry-wide shift to incorporate daily playgroups and enrichment for dogs as a standard of care. Founded by renowned dog trainer Aimee Sadler, DPFL uses play groups to help socialize, evaluate, and change the lives of shelter dogs.
"Thanks to Maddie, Dogs Playing for Life can expand our reach and directly impact countless shelter dogs now and in the future," said Aimee Sadler, DPFL's Founder. "Playgroup training empowers staff and volunteers to provide a better life for the dogs in their care. By reaching these 10 additional shelters, we will not only impact the dogs in those shelters, but also the lives of those who adopt them." Sadler concluded.
"We are excited to provide the resources to help expand DPFL's reach to more communities across the nation, to enhance shelter dogs chances of being adopted, and therefore, saving countless lives for years to come," said Dr. Sheila D'Arpino, Director of Research and Veterinary Behaviorist at Maddie's Fund. "Some dogs deteriorate when housed in kennels with limited social interaction. Playgroups are critical for animal welfare on the whole and are a key component to keep dogs behaviorally healthy, so that their quality of life is improved while they are waiting for a home."
About Maddie's Fund
Maddie's Fund® is a family foundation created in 1994 by Workday co-founder Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, who have endowed the Foundation with more than $300 million. Since then, the Foundation has awarded more than $187.8 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter medicine education, and pet adoptions across the U.S. The Duffields named Maddie's Fund after their Miniature Schnauzer Maddie, who always made them laugh and gave them great joy. Maddie was with Dave and Cheryl from 1987 - 1997 and continues to inspire them today.
Maddie's Fund is the fulfillment of a promise to an inspirational dog, investing its resources to create a no-kill nation where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat. #ThanksToMaddie.
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