MIRA Foundation Celebrates Partnership with Eukanuba: Great Guide Dogs Powered By Premium Nutrition

    MONTREAL, March 25 /CNW Telbec/ - As a leader and innovator in pet health
and nutrition, Eukanuba is the food of choice for breeders and experts
throughout Canada, including organizations like the Mira Foundation based in
Quebec. As Mira's exclusive dog food provider for 15 years, Eukanuba contains
a complete nutrient package that targets all the vital needs of dogs in every
life stage, which helps set Mira dogs unmistakably apart.
    "Since our beginning in 1981, the Mira Foundation has placed more than
1,700 dogs with individuals and families across Canada and around the world,"
said Eric St-Pierre, Founder and CEO, Mira Foundation. "We believe that our
breeding and training programs, as well as the premium nutrition provided by
Eukanuba, have made Mira dogs excel in their guide and assistance roles for
those in need."
    The training of an assistance dog requires hard work and dedication from
the Mira team as well as a rigorous total health program. Starting with
puppyhood, Mira dogs benefit from the scientifically formulated nutrition
contained in Eukanuba which features optimal levels of DHA. This natural
Omega-3 fatty acid has been proven essential to the development of the brain
and central nervous system which improves puppy trainability. During this
training period, Mira dogs are socialized within a variety of environments,
learning to become an extension of the people with whom they are matched.
During the "pairing process," a recipient must commit to intensive, live-in
training with their dog at the Mira facility to become better acquainted,
ensure a bond develops and learn how to integrate their dog into their daily
routines.
    Recognizing the significant contribution assistance dogs make to the
lives of individuals in need, Mira provides its dogs at no cost to their
recipients. To fund the breeding and training of the assistance dogs, Mira
relies solely on private and corporate donations, as well as partnerships with
companies such as Eukanuba.
    "For 40 years, Eukanuba has been dedicated to providing premium pet
nutrition," said Melissa Karis, External Relations Manager, P&G Pet Care.
"Every ingredient in our food satisfies a specific nutritional purpose, which
ensures dogs that are fed Eukanuba perform at their top potential. As such,
experts like the people at the Mira Foundation know they can trust and rely on
our food."
    Eukanuba has continued to innovate its premium dog food over the years,
including: DHA to help make smarter, more trainable puppies; DentaDefense(R)
to help reduce tartar by 55 per cent; OmegaCoat(R) for omega fatty acids for
healthy skin and coat; FOS, a natural prebiotic, to promote digestive health;
a customized formula to meet the needs of large-breed puppies and high levels
of animal protein needed for muscle development and maintenance.

    About Mira
    ----------

    Mira works to help disabled individuals lead their lives independently as
functioning members of society. They do this by breeding and training service
dogs and matching them to recipients with similar personalities and
lifestyles. Mira Foundation's services are made available, free of charge, to
individuals with one or many visual or motor disabilities, and to children
presenting Pervasive Development Disorders. Mira was first established in 1981
and is located in Quebec, Canada. For more information, please visit
www.Mira.ca.

    About Eukanuba
    --------------

    Eukanuba(R) premium pet food is a P&G Pet Care brand. Eukanuba's mission
is to enhance the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality
foods and pet care products that delight the consumer and strengthen the human
- pet bond. Eukanuba has a dedicated range for breeders: Eukanuba
Professional. This product range provides every dog in the kennel the very
best with special diets for champions, nursing dogs and puppies, but also for
past winners and companion dogs. For more information, call an Eukanuba Expert
at 1-888-385-2682 or visit www.eukanuba.com.

    About P&G Pet Care
    ------------------

    For more than 60 years, P&G Pet Care (NYSE:PG), the maker of Iams(R) and
Eukanuba(R), has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing
world-class quality foods and pet care products. To learn more about Eukanuba
and Iams Dog & Cat Foods or general pet care and nutrition information, please
visit www.eukanuba.com or www.iams.com.

For further information: Marilyne Levesque, Optimum public relations,
(514) 985-8204, marilyne.levesque@cossette.com