Envy Gaming Launches Partnership with Canine Companions for Independence

Partnership begins on North Texas Giving Day to raise awareness about service dogs that enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

three people and a Canine Companions service dog
DALLAS, Texas
September 19 marks the 11th annual North Texas Giving Day and the beginning of a collaboration between Envy Gaming and Canine Companions for Independence. Envy Gaming, one of the largest esports organizations in the world and owners of the popular Dallas Fuel franchise, will enlist the help of its professional players to support and celebrate the important role that service dogs play in the everyday life of people living with disabilities. Across the nation, there are nearly 2,500 Canine Companion assistance dogs serving people with disabilities. “With an esports industry audience of more than 60 million people in North America, we’re very optimistic that our partnership with Canine Companions will reveal that esports is a great way for nonprofits to connect with Millennials and Generation Z,” said Mike Rufail, owner and CEO of Envy Gaming. “Our fans want to support causes in their local communities and they love animals. That’s why we’re going to personally match up to $10,000 in donations to Canine Companions on North Texas Giving Day.” Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence unites people of all ages with trained assistance dogs in a program that leads to greater independence, matches dogs with military veterans returning with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and connects facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and education. “We’re more than honored that Envy Gaming chose to partner with our organization to bring our work of serving people with disabilities to even greater heights,” said Paige Mazzoni, CEO of Canine Companions for Independence. “We appreciate that Envy Gaming sees the value in enhancing awareness of how assistance dogs are changing the lives of children, adults and veterans.” Envy Gaming and Dallas Fuel players will also provide support to Canine Companions at the organization’s national signature fundraising event, DogFest DFW, and through additional opportunities that will be announced throughout the rest of the year and in 2020. Started in 2009, North Texas Giving Day is an 18-hour online giving event designed to empower people to give back to their community. Approximately $240 million has been raised for thousands of nonprofits in the 20-county North Texas region. Last year alone, $48 million was raised through 157,000 gifts benefiting 2,700 nonprofits. “North Texas Giving Day brings the entire community together—from families and students to civic leaders and company volunteers—all to celebrate the work of our region’s wonderful nonprofits,” said Susan Swan Smith, Chief Giving Day Officer at Communities Foundation of Texas. “Everyone can be a philanthropist on North Texas Giving Day. Your dollars go further with bonus funds and prizes and our easy-to-use website allows you to give back efficiently and effectively to the all causes nearest and dearest to your heart.”

About Envy Gaming*:

Envy Gaming, Inc. is the owner and operator of popular esports franchise Team Envy, the Dallas Fuel franchise in the Overwatch League, and the North Texas franchise in the future Call of Duty city-based league. Founded as a professional Call of Duty team in 2007, owner Mike Rufail has grown the Dallas-based organization into one of the largest and most-winning esports groups in the world. Today, Envy Gaming competes, streams and produces content across multiple titles including Overwatch, Call of Duty, CS:GO, Paladins, PUBG, Rocket League, Street Fighter V, FIFA and Fortnite. Envy was named the 2016 Esports Team of the Year. For more information, visit Envy.gg*.

About Canine Companions for Independence:

Canine Companions for Independence is a nonprofit 501(c)3 that provides expertly trained assistance dogs to children, adults and veterans with disabilities at no charge. Established in 1975, Canine Companions has six regional training centers across the country and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. For more information, visit canine.org or call 1-800-572-BARK. *Please be aware that by clicking the link to Envy.gg you are visiting sites that are not managed by Canine Companions. Website security, accessibility and privacy policies may be different than Canine Companions policies. Please read their policies closely. Courtney Craig, 214-259-4658