Windsor, Connecticut Police Department's Iko
June 2010
Officer Steve Vesco of the Windsor, Connecticut Police Department has partnered with his dog Iko for several years now. Recently, CANIDAE Sales Manager John Grosse attended the United States Police Canine Association Region 4 K9 Trials and had a chance to see Officer Vesco and Iko in action.
"There where over 50 K9 Units from the New England and New York areas. Iko has been eating CANIDAE Grain Free All Life Stages for some time. Office Vesco received numerous complements on Iko's coat. Being a black dog his coat really shined in the sun," said Grosse. Iko took novice first place in obedience, criminal apprehension and first place overall.
Iko is from Tiekerhook Kennels which is located in the Netherlands. He was certified and started working with Officer Vesco in October 2008. Iko is extremely loyal and is full of endless energy. CANIDAE Grain Free All Life Stages provides working dogs like Iko with the higher levels of protein they need to maintain energy throughout their demanding days on the job.
Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs
November 2009
Donna Frezell, Founder of Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs (GOADogs) in London, Ontario, Canada, together with her tireless volunteers, breed, raise and train Golden Retrievers to become assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities in her community.
Our own CANIDAE Sales Manager, Caroline Peterson, visited with Donna recently, shot this short video of a training demonstration, and sent in this report.
"I met Donna Frezell in London, Ontario. I had arranged to deliver some CANIDAE pet food as Donna exclusively feeds CANIDAE All Life Stages to her pack of Golden Retrievers. The GOADogs training facility is located in Westmount Shopping Mall with direct access to stores, elevators, escalators, shops, transit and most importantly PEOPLE -- lots of PEOPLE!
Donna currently has 17 dogs in various stages of training but I had the pleasure of seeing ‘Willow,’ an almost 2 year old Retriever, do a demonstration for me. Willow and the rest of her ‘tree’ litter mates are almost ready for graduation and to be placed in their new homes.
With Willow suited up in her ‘work clothes’, I had the pleasure of watching her perform mundane tasks that you and I take for granted everyday! Like turning on a light switch, opening the refrigerator, putting laundry into the dryer and picking up dropped items. It was really amazing to watch her work (and she is still young!)
Donna enlists the help of youth at risk (called Project F.I.T.) in London. Project F.I.T.: Finding Independence Together. An innovative therapeutic intervention program teaching youth deemed to be at high risk for continued emotional and behavioral challenges to train and place assistance dogs with individuals with disabilities. Project F.I.T. provides a 'golden opportunity' to change not one life... but two!
To raise, train and vet (till the age of 2 approximately) a single assistance dog, it costs almost $25,000 Cdn. The cost is borne completely by the person purchasing these dogs, however there is a gap as purchase price through GOADogs is only $16,000 Cdn. Donna absorbs the remainder of the cost because of dedication and passion and a true love for what she is doing.
I am pleased to know that CANIDAE All Natural Pet Foods is the only and recommended food of GOADogs."
Pomona Police Department's Belgian Malinois "Baco"
April 2009
Robert Bemis, Regional Sales Manager for CANIDAE, was approached by the Pomona Police Department regarding the department's Canine Unit. Earlier in 2009, the unit lost a Belgian Malinois patrol dog named Buddy to his battle with canine cancer. The department needed to replace Buddy with a new dog, but budget constraints and a lack of donations made it difficult.
CANIDAE has a long history of supporting both local and pet related causes including an ongoing series of fund raisers for the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. "We were very saddened to hear of Buddy's death from canine cancer. We're very involved with raising funds to treat and prevent cancer in dogs so we are very sensitive to that issue. We wanted to help," Bemis said.
"This not the first time we have worked with law enforcement," Bemis continued. "I'm working to finalize a narcotics dog sponsorship for the Sumerton Arizona Police right now, and CANIDAE has been supporting law enforcement agencies across the country by providing food for their canine units for years."
CANIDAE donated the Belgian Malinois, named Baco, to the Pomona Police Department's Canine Unit in March '09. The newest member of the Police Department's canine unit, Baco is getting ready to begin patrol duties with his handler. The 3 1/2 year old Belgian Malinois has shown he's energetic, alert, brave and sociable with his handler, Officer Theo Joseph.
"There where over 50 K9 Units from the New England and New York areas. Iko has been eating 
With Willow suited up in her ‘work clothes’, I had the pleasure of watching her perform mundane tasks that you and I take for granted everyday! Like turning on a light switch, opening the refrigerator, putting laundry into the dryer and picking up dropped items. It was really amazing to watch her work (and she is still young!) 
Pomona Police Department's Belgian Malinois "Baco"