Virginia Governor Donates Salary to Support Placement of Canine Companions Facility Dogs!

Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin announced their personal support for a major new initiative to bring more Canine Companions facility dogs to Virginia! The Governor donated $43,750 to Canine Companions, building on his commitment to donate his salary to organizations that strengthen Virginia communities. The Governor’s donation will underwrite the cost of two facility dogs through Canine Companions, with the first Canine Companions dog placement in Petersburg. This dog will be partnered with a Petersburg police officer, serving as a canine community bridge builder to support the health and wellbeing of those in and around the criminal justice system.

Virginia Governor Younkin and First Lady Suzanne Younkin with Canine Companions future service dogs Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin donated a portion of the Governor’s salary to Canine Companions, an organization that pairs service dogs with people and facilities to support independent and healthy living.

“The benefits of the human/animal bond cannot be overstated,” said First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin. “We couldn’t be more grateful to Canine Companions for its work to help people with disabilities and communities in need, nor more excited about the blessings that these dogs will surely bestow on the Petersburg community.”

“Canine Companions couldn’t be happier to be partnering with the Youngkin’s to support facility dogs in Petersburg,” said Debra Doughtery, Canine Companions Northeast Region Executive Director. “This announcement couldn’t come at a better time as Canine Companions recently announced a new service dog facility donated by the Helen and Murray Main Foundation in Mathews, Virginia, opening in mid-2024.”

The Governor and First Lady traveled to Petersburg to welcome service dogs and their handlers from the Virginia and Northeast Region.

Watch the announcement on Facebook:  https://bit.ly/3RpYZSX*

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