Download (1467KB)

Funding for assistance dog Doreen for physically handicapped Jenson Göb has been secured thanks to a donation from Fressnapf. Fressnapf was the main sponsor of the “Don’t Stop Believin’” benefit gala, where famous performers appeared on stage last Saturday to support the good cause, with musical star and gala initiator Bernie Blanks. The aim of the event was to raise 25,000 euros, the cost of training an assistance dog, so that Jenson could take Doreen home for good. But in the end, sponsorship money and fundraising campaigns were not enough to raise the full amount. When Fressnapf spokesman Achim Schütz took to the gala stage at the RuhrCongress centre in Bochum, he came up with a surprise. On behalf of Fressnapf, he spontaneously topped up the missing amount, making sure that Jenson and Doreen can share their future together.

10 year old Jenson suffers from muscular atrophy and has to use a wheelchair. More than anything else in the world, Jenson would like an assistance dog to lend a helping paw in everyday life. A dog that would not just open doors and take off his shoes, but give him courage, self-confidence and vital energy. The family could not afford the 25,000 euros alone that it would cost to train an assistance dog like this at Vita Assistenzhunde e.V. “That cannot and must not stop Jenson and Doreen from becoming a great team”, explains Achim Schütz. “It is our heartfelt wish that the boy and the dog can be together. That is why we are happy to donate money and why we are supporting the “Don’t Stop Believin’” benefit gala as a sponsor”.

For the second time, Bernie Blanks, his friends from the international musical scene and Fressnapf have become involved to bring together a handicapped person and an assistance dog from Vita. Last year, funds from the gala helped Dominique Kogut and her dog Miss Sophie and this year, a dream came true for Jenson and Doreen. “The child and the animal are entering into a unique partnership. Assistance dogs do immeasurable and amazing things for their handicapped partners. As patrons of relationships between people and animals, the Vita association and the “Don’t Stop Believin’” gala event can count on support from Fressnapf in the future”, says Schütz.


Download this press release as PDF (59 KB)


All pictures of this press release:

A happy ending for Jenson and Doreen RGB – JPG Thanks to a donation from Fressnapf, funding for assistance dog Doreen has been secured. From left: Jenson Göb (in the wheelchair), musical star and gala initiator Bernie Blanks and Tatjana Kreidler, chairwoman of Vita Assistenzhunde e.V. (10.12.2011) Photo: Xenia Kehnen Download (1467KB)

Fressnapf spokesman Achim Schütz RGB – JPG Fressnapf believes in the wonderful relationship between people and animals. From left: Jenson Göb (in the wheelchair), QVC presenter Dagmar Krautscheid, Fressnapf spokesman Achim Schütz, musical star and gala initiator Bernie Blanks. (10.12.2011). Photo: Xenia Kehnen Download (699KB)