MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Canine Companions for Independence, Inc., the first and largest assistance dog organization in the United States helping people with physical disabilities, and Henry Schein Animal Health, the leading companion animal health product and services provider in the country, announced today that it has begun delivery of care packages to veterinarians for their customers who volunteer to raise Canine Companions puppies.

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Each "Henry Schein Cares-Canine Companions Puppy Raiser Care Package," valued at more than $300, contains items essential to raising and caring for the puppy during its first 18 months of life, helping to defray the costs that volunteers and veterinarians incur. Henry Schein Animal Health and Canine Companions first announced the new program in April.

One of the first volunteer puppy raisers to receive a care package was Denise Dellaquila of Mattituck, N.Y. "This is a wonderful and generous gift," said Ms. Dellaquila. "I am excited to be part of this program that will build new relationships with local veterinarians and puppy raisers. This will encourage others who might have been apprehensive about volunteering to become puppy raisers to embrace the challenge. We are looking forward to our first puppy check up!"

Click here to view video of the first Puppy Raiser Care Packages delivered.

"The tremendous benefits that Canine Companions for Independence provides to people in need are the result of a strong partnership between these remarkable dogs, the dedicated volunteers who train them and the skilled veterinarians who care for them," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc., the parent company of Henry Schein Animal Health. "Henry Schein Animal Health is privileged to help support the nurturing process that creates a Canine Companions assistance dog through these 'Puppy Raiser Care Packages,' and to applaud the valuable work of our participating veterinary customers with plaques highlighting their role as a health care provider to a Canine Companions puppy."

Founded in 1975, non-profit Canine Companions for Independence created the concept of assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities and has placed more than 4,800 assistance dog teams. The organization has over 1,600 volunteer puppy raisers that provide early socialization and basic obedience training, both of which are essential in preparing a puppy for life as an assistance dog. A video about the organization's work can be found here.

"The 'Puppy Raiser Care Packages' are a helpful resource for our volunteers who spend their own money and dedicate their free time to raising exceptional dogs for exceptional people," said Paul Mundell, Chief Executive Officer of Canine Companions for Independence. "We are indebted to the veterinarians who help our volunteers raise and care for these puppies, and so gratified to partner with Henry Schein, a company that demonstrates its commitment to helping those who help others."

Each "Henry Schein Cares-Canine Companions Puppy Raiser Care Package" includes:


    --  HEARTGARD(®) Plus - Merial(®), a Sanofi Company
    --  NexGard(®) Chewables- Merial(®), a Sanofi Company
    --  FURminator(®) Grooming Brush - KVP International, Inc.
    --  1 quart Stainless Steel Bowl - VSSI, Inc.
    --  2 quart Stainless Steel Bowl - VSSI, Inc.
    --  Nutrisentials(®) Lean Treats - Henry Schein(®) Animal Health
    --  C.E.T.(®) VEGGIEDENT(® )Tartar Control Chews for Dogs - Virbac Animal
        Health
    --  C.E.T.(®) Fingerbrush with Toothpaste Packet - Virbac Animal Health
    --  Welactin(®) Omega 3 Liquid Supplement - Nutramax(®)

About Canine Companions for Independence

Canine Companions for Independence provides highly trained assistance dogs to children and adults with disabilities. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has six training centers across the country, including Calif., Fla., Ohio, N.Y. and Texas. Canine Companions is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. There is no charge for the dog, its training and ongoing follow-up services. For more information, call 1-800-572-BARK or visit www.cci.org.

About Henry Schein Animal Health, U.S.

Henry Schein Animal Health, based in Dublin, Ohio, is the leading companion animal health distribution company in the United States, and the U.S. animal health business of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC). The Company employs approximately 900 team members, including 300 field sales representatives and 200 telesales and customer support representatives. With 12 strategically located, state-of-the-art distribution facilities and 10 inside sales centers, the Company maintains a greater than a 99 percent order-fill ratio, accomplishing its mission of providing the right product at the right place and at the right time.

Henry Schein Animal Health partners with more than 500 global suppliers to bring veterinarians the broadest selection of health care products to companion animal, equine and large animal practices including dentistry, diagnostics, diets, equipment and supplies, nutraceuticals, oncology, orthopedics, parasiticides and pharmaceuticals. In addition, the Company helps veterinarians grow their practice with its strategic Business Solutions including AVImark® and ImproMed® Practice Management Software, CHOICE Diagnostics(TM), Henry Schein® Axis-Q(TM), Henry Schein® Financial Services, Henry Schein® ProRepair®, Henry Schein® Rapport(TM), MyVetDirect.com® Home Delivery, Practice Partners (HRVetResource, Intelligent Inventory®, Leadership Intelligence, Employee Resource Manual and OSHA Compliance), Privacy Edge Identity Theft Protection, Professional Development Program, SmartPak(TM) ColicCare(TM), VetPressOnline Client Communications, and Veterinary Instrumentation(TM). For more information, visit www.henryscheinvet.com.

About Henry Schein Cares
 Henry Schein Cares stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.

Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of "doing well by doing good." Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success. "Helping Health Happen Blog" is a platform for health care professionals to share their volunteer experiences delivering assistance to those in need globally. To read more about how Henry Schein Cares is making a difference, please visit our blog: www.helpinghealthhappen.org.

About Henry Schein, Inc.
 Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the S&P 500® and the NASDAQ 100® indexes, Henry Schein employs more than 18,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than one million customers.

The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 100,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 150,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 33 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $10.4 billion in 2014, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit Henry Schein at www.henryschein.com, Facebook.com/HenrySchein and @HenrySchein on Twitter.

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SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.