HeroDogTreats proudly supports the Canadian Service Dog Foundation and military veterans.
The pet treats supplier showed its support for Invictus Games Toronto 2017 competitors by delivering custom gift baskets, filled with all sorts of different doggie goodies, including bones, bully sticks and even peanut butter, for their service dogs.
The gift baskets went to service dogs, like Bruno and Vinka, throughout the Games.
“We wanted this for the dogs, because they are an important part of rehab, recovery and support for many veterans,” said Greg Wamsley, a senior manager for the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 Organizing Committee. “We wanted to give them a great welcome to Toronto and show our appreciation. To have them come from a Canadian veteran entrepreneur is the icing on the cake!”
HeroDogTreats, located in St. Catharines, Ontario, is owned and operated by Annemarie and Leendert Bolle.
During his 16 years of military service, Leendert completed tours in Bosnia and Afghanistan. Leendert founded his own business after leaving the military. Speaking to CBC News, he said he “wanted to be a veteran who creates a business, hires veterans and, as the business grows, hires more veterans.”
At HeroDogTreats, veterans find not only work, but a support network.
Annemarie put a lot of thought into the design and packaging to ensure the gift baskets were special for Invictus Games service dogs.
“I want my children very much to be involved so they can learn to give back,” she said. “My kids are very young, but I believe that if I can instill that into them at a very young age, that they will do the same as they get older.
“In the end, it is not about my company, me or my kids, but about doing the right thing, doing what is our obligation.”