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Nonprofit Gabriel’s Angels Brings Pet Therapy Programming to At-Risk Kids
[Download Press Release]
The nonprofit organization Gabriel’s Angels was the beneficiary of fundraising efforts by members of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) during the 2020 NASC Virtual Conference in June. A sum of $32,703 was raised by NASC member companies, as well as several individual donors, and given to Gabriel’s Angels to help the organization continue its work of improving quality of life for at-risk children in Central Arizona. Currently, over 180 Gabriel’s Angels pet therapy teams serve more than 12,000 children from infants to age 18.
“We are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of the National Animal Supplement Council and are so grateful for the phenomenal support of the Gabriel’s Angels mission to inspire confidence, compassion and best behaviors in at-risk children through pet therapy,” said Pamelle Easterling, Gabriel’s Angels Director of Development. “If there is anyone who understands the amazing impact of our pets, it is our friends at NASC. In the wake of the social, emotional and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this significant generosity will go a long way to share the unconditional love of a therapy dog and provide the amazing support that our at-risk youth need now, more than ever.”
Each year, NASC selects an animal-focused nonprofit to support during its conference through fundraising activities. When the 2020 event transitioned to virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic, the fundraiser was initially set aside. However, the NASC Board of Directors believed the fundraiser should proceed and planned a “secret” giving campaign that invited NASC members to contribute on behalf of NASC President, Bill Bookout, and the NASC staff. In the final conference session, NASC board member, Scott Garmon, revealed the fundraising results, which made for a touching moment.
“I knew something was going on when I saw Scott Garmon pop up as a speaker in the virtual conference. He wasn’t on the agenda,” said Bill Bookout. “I never imagined he was about to announce that our members raised over $32,000 for Gabriel’s Angels. It was incredible. But not surprising because this is what NASC members do. They care about animals, and about others, and they put that caring into action every single day.”
The NASC Board of Directors thanks the following NASC member companies for contributing to the fundraiser:
| 21st Century Animal Health | Grand Meadows Nutritional Supplements | Silver Lining Herbs |
| Alkemist Labs | Green Mountain Animal | SOURCE, Inc. |
| Amber NaturalZ | Halo, Purely for Pets | Springtime Supplements |
| Animal Necessity | Kinetic Vet | Sunny’s Goldens |
| Annamaet Petfoods | Medallion Equine | The Natural Vet |
| Canopy Animal Health | Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals | ThorneVet |
| Central Garden & Pet | Metabolic Technologies | Trouw Nutrition USA |
| HyVitality | Mid-West Nutrition | TSI USA LLC |
| Earth Animal | Nestle Purina PetCare Co. | Uckele Health & Nutrition |
| Evolva | Pampered Pets USA | Vet Worthy |
| Fidobiotics | PetHealth Solutions | WINPRO |
| FoodScience Corporation | Pharmore Ingredients, Inc. | Zinpro Corporation |
| Garmon Corp/NaturVet | Rx Vitamins |
About Gabriel’s Angels
Founded in 2000, Gabriel’s Angels is a 501(3)C nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire confidence, compassion, and best behavior in at-risk children through pet therapy. 180 registered Pet Therapy Teams, comprised of owners and their pets, visit 123 statewide facilities serving abused, neglected and at-risk children in the Phoenix, Tucson and Prescott areas. The therapy visits provide children with unconditional love and teach core social behaviors. For more information about becoming a Therapy Team or volunteer, please call 602-266-0875 or visit www.GabrielsAngels.org.
