Kick off the “Dog Days of Summer” with a celebration of CAREGIVERS, CANINES, AND CARS at the Larson Ford dealership showroom, 1150 Ocean Avenue, Lakewood, N.J. Through the efforts of Rob Larson, vice president of Larson Ford, Inc., and Lynette Whiteman, executive director of Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, Toms River, N.J., the Larson Ford showroom is literally going to the dogs – the Caregiver Canines® therapy dogs, that is — on select dates from July 23 through September 19.
During that time, Caregiver Canine certified therapy dogs will visit the dealership and provide their own special brand of therapy to Larson Ford customers and visitors. Larson Ford will also donate $5.00 for every vehicle sold during the “CAREGIVERS, CANINES, AND CARS” event to the nonprofit Caregiver Canines® program.
Visit the Caregiver Canines® website at www.caregivercanines.org for the exact dates and times that the therapy dogs will be visiting.
Larson Ford, a longtime advocate of therapy dog programs throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties and a supporter of the services therapy dogs provide, is showcasing local therapy dogs as well as their cars in their Lakewood showroom to make everyone aware of the benefits of therapy dogs.
Larson said, “Larson Ford is very happy to partner with this wonderful nonprofit agency. We are always looking for opportunities to give back to our community; and Caregiver Canines brings such joy to people, we jumped at this chance.”
Whiteman added, “We are so grateful to Larson Ford for their tremendous show of support. Since driving is an essential part of staying independent and driving is one of the services our volunteers provide to seniors, this is a perfect partnership. How wonderful that a local business gives back to make life better
for members of their community.”
Caregiver Canines® began in 2009 as a service offered through the nonprofit agency Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey (CVCJ). This unique therapy dog program provides visits with homebound senior citizens, veterans, the disabled, and those with dementia, as well as with their caregivers, right in their own homes. The therapy dog and handler teams are all volunteers whose weekly visits bring great joy to those who are lonely and love dogs, but who are unable to care for a dog any longer due to illness, isolation, and/or financial limitations. All Caregiver Canines® therapy dog visits are provided through CVCJ completely free of charge to the recipient.
For more information about the partnership CAREGIVERS, CANINES, AND CARS, visit www.larsonford.net or www.caregivercanines.org and Facebook pages at Larson Ford or Caregiver Canines. To have a Caregiver Canine team visit you, a family member, or friend…or if your dog is a certified therapy dog and you would like to get involved with Caregiver Canines®…or you would like guidance on how you and your dog might become a therapy dog team, call 732.505.2273 or email info@caregivervolunteers.org.
