Powerful News From Purina's Better With Pets Summit

Earlier this month I was invited to attend Purina's Better With Pets Summit. I learned so much and shared some highlights in a previous post: Purina Better With Pets Summit.

Day-long Summit examined emotional wellness and the evolution of the bond between pets and the people who love them through three panel discussions and experiential exhibits. It was thought provoking and emotional especially when I learned about people who are transforming their communities by bringing people and pets together.

Purina  announced at the summit that it will donate $50,000 to The Frank Attla Youth Program, which was developed to help at-risk youth in rural Alaska gain confidence and self-esteem by adding dogs into the school curriculum and giving them an opportunity to create a unique bond with dogs, and teaching students how to care for them. The donation is part of Purina’s broader support of more than 900 pet welfare organizations each year.

In Alaska, the environment is harsh and there are other pervasive social issues within some of the small rural Alaskan communities. The Frank Attla Youth & Dog Care Program is helping make life better. By pairing at-risk youth with working dogs in rural communities, this remarkable program has managed to alleviate some damaging social problems. Through curriculum, training and hard work, students reignite a passion for their heritage and learn many valuable life skills in the process, all while bonding with working dogs. The program has helped decrease social issues such as violence, drug use, and teen pregnancy and is credited with improving the emotional wellness of students. By pairing dogs and teens, this remarkable program has done an amazing job making this beautiful community even more vibrant.

For more information about the Better With Pets Summit, visit www.purina.com/better-with-pets/summit#/hero.

I have partnered with Purina and may have received products and/or compensation. All opinions are my own.