Dunkin’ Brands Dogs For Joy Program Has New Chief Officer Of Joy
I’ve never really had a huge preference when it came to donuts–I mean, they’re ALL delicious! But I have to say, I am head over heels for a new program Dunkin’s Joy in Childhood Foundation has launched–a full time service dog program called Dogs for Joy!
Related: It’s National Donut Day – These 10 Donut Loving Dogs Will Give You a Sugar Rush
My favorite? They’ve named Cooper Dunkin, an adorable Chocolate Lab/Golden Retriever mix as their official Chief Joy Officer. Note: every company needs a Chief Joy Officer!
Cooper will be an ambassador of joy for the program that is underscored by parents Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins in an effort to help pediatric health care situations to have animal-assisted therapy as part of their treatment planning. The charitable organization will provide over $2 million in grants to children’s hospitals all over America in an effort to introduce and maintain dog programs in their facilities. The funds will be meant for things like the adoption of the dogs, training of the staff, and all the things therapy/service dogs need to bring cheer to the faces of boys and girls.
A post shared by Joy in Childhood Foundation (@joyinchildhood) on Dec 12, 2018 at 6:00am PST
Specifically, as Chief of Joy, Cooper will visit facilities and hospitals across the country to spread that goofy grin. Kari McHugh is the executive director of the Joy in Childhood Foundation and said that Cooper’s floppy-eared and lovely attitude was what made him the perfect ambassador. The Dogs for Joy program is the first of such a large scale in the country, training dogs to not only be service animals but to also assist patients and even help humans learn how to put on gowns or take medicines like good boys and girls.
Related: Can Therapy Dogs Affect Echocardiogram Results?
McHugh said that their mission is to bring joy to kids. They want more in-residence dogs at more facilities to aid doctors, nurses, child life specialists and of course, kids and their families. McHugh speaks from a personal perspective, as she is the mother of a child with cancer, and she knows the impact that dogs in treatment can make. She is excited that the Joy in Childhood Foundation can serve families and hospitals in communities and she’s excited to see the transformative difference dogs make in these kids’ lives.
Since its founding in 2006, The Joy in Childhood Foundation has given over $18 million to over 200 organizations who care for and focus on children’s health and hunger relief. Additionally, the foundation gives meals to children through Feeding America and now–Cooper will help bring joy to so many boys and girls in treatments all over the country.
Hospitals can apply for Dogs of Joy Grants until March 31, 2019. In the meantime, the Chief of Joy will be Pawsome all over the country!
More by Lori Ennis