Hey, pet lovers – Milo here, Pup Plaza’s resident dog blogger and one of the mural pups! I hope you enjoyed my blog post from last month about SVPP’s partnership with PAWs for SJACS, and that you and your friends will take advantage of the low-cost vaccination clinics for dogs and cats hosted at Pup Plaza. It’s not too late to sign up, so check out the blog post to learn more and register for one of our June clinics!
This month, I’m excited to tell you about another (p)awesome partnership between SVPP and an amazing organization within our SVPP community – Wedgewood Connect of Wedgewood Pharmacy, the largest compounding pharmacy devoted to animal health in the U.S.
Through our partnership, Wedgewood employees donate high-priority items such as kitten and dog beds, kitten food and formula, kitten enrichment items, kitten blankets, and dog treats. Wedgewood employee and SVPP volunteer Kevin Johnson coordinated this partnership. Why? Because his personal mission is to help shelter and rescue dogs receive a second chance at life. That’s a mission I can get behind!
Kevin’s devotion to animals – and SVPP – goes even farther. Just recently, he started San Jose-based Coffee Companions Coffee Co. He donates $1 from each bag of coffee sold, plus 10% of profits from merchandise to SVPP. Kevin’s journey to getting involved with SVPP and becoming the founder and CEO of Coffee Companion Coffee Co. started after his mother passed away in 2015. In the midst of this profound loss, he found himself in a dark place – but was soon presented with an opportunity to raise and train service dogs for people living with disabilities.
Mamba is an SVPP foster dog that Kevin is helping train – with lots of positive reinforcement and love. Mamba is making good progress!
This sparked something in Kevin, who was reinvigorated by the opportunity to help others. Little did he know, the experience would completely change his life! It helped him grieve, improve his self esteem, pursue the path toward three associate degrees, and led him to partner with SVPP! In addition to monetary donations, Kevin also donates his time to our organization by dog training, walking, and grooming, and creating adoption videos (like this one about Phantom the Pitbull Cuddle Bug!) to assist with finding forever homes for pups in need. Kevin and SVPP are a perfect match – because we’re both committed to rescuing at-risk pets by providing much-needed medical care and behavioral support to special needs animals who need it the most.
Thank you, Kevin, for your dedication to SVPP and helping dogs like me. We couldn’t make the impact we do without volunteers and advocates like you!
P.S. Love coffee, dogs and want to support Kevin and SVPP? Visit Coffee Companion’s website to purchase their coffee (Golden Lab Blend, anyone?) and merchandise (how cute is this pet bandana?!) here. You can also follow them on Instagram for videos, education, and fun facts about training, foster care and adoption.
Alandea Muñoz is an SVPP volunteer and guest blogger.