January 15, 2012 – North American Veterinary Conference, Orlando, Fla. – As part of its strategic mission to extend its commitment to the bond between animals and humans, Ceva Animal Health is sponsoring a guide dog. Ceva has partnered with Leader Dogs for the Blind to support a black female Labrador puppy appropriately named “Ceva.” This is the first time in its 73-year history that the Leader Dogs for the Blind organization has connected with a companion animal pharmaceutical company to promote its life-changing programs.

“We are pleased with the opportunity to support Leader Dogs for the Blind by sponsoring Ceva, the Future Leader Dog. Guide dogs perform a valuable service for the blind and visually impaired, and are one more example of the remarkable bond between animals and humans,” said Craig Wallace, Chief Executive Officer and North America Zone Director for Ceva Animal Health.

Ceva will make her first public appearance January 15 through January 17 at the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) in Orlando, Florida. Ceva will be available for photos at Ceva Animal Health’s Gaylord exhibit booth (#513) throughout much of the conference. Those interested in watching Ceva’s progress can follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cevaleaderdog. Ceva’s Facebook page offers visitors the opportunity to watch this remarkable dog’s journey through nearly two years of training to graduation with her life-long partner.

“Ceva’s sponsorship of a Leader Dog represents a new chapter in our organization’s ability to provide a valuable service for our clients who are blind and visually impaired. We were really drawn to Ceva’s shared belief in the special bond created between animals and humans. This is a true fit with Leader Dogs for the Blind’s values and Ceva’s commitment to positively impact the health of animals and in turn benefit pet owners,” said Melissa Leilani Weisse, Chief Philanthropy Officer for Leader Dogs for the Blind. Ceva’s training will incorporate the new Adaptil™ collar from Ceva Animal Health. Ceva will wear the collar throughout her preparation to support a blind or visually impaired person. To aid the visually impaired, the new Adaptil collar and package is embossed with Braille.

The easy-to-use collar helps puppies and adult dogs adapt to challenging situations. Developed by Ceva Animal Health, Adaptil has the same canine appeasing pheromone mother dogs emit. These synthetic, appeasing pheromones provide puppies and adult dogs with a sense of wellbeing and reassurance. The collar can be worn at all times to enable dogs to better handle stressful situations such as:

• New People/Things/Places: moving or major changes in the household, remodeling or redecorating, new pieces of furniture.
• Fear/Phobias: thunderstorms, lightening, fireworks.
• Temporary changes: being transported, hospitalized or boarded.

Adaptil collars also give owners and trainers a safe and easy way to keep puppies calm so they can take on new people, places and situations with confidence. Feeling comfortable during this formidable time helps puppies grow into well-socialized dogs for life.

More on Ceva’s Training

After her debut at NAVC, the 14-week-old puppy continues her journey as a guide dog. She will join a puppy-raising family, volunteers responsible for nurturing Ceva over the next year. These volunteers maintain Ceva’s health while also making her part of their lives. Additionally, she’s taught basic commands and manners, and will begin obedience classes.

Eventually, Ceva returns to the Leader Dog campus where she begins extensive formal harness training for four to six months with a professional instructor. During this time, she learns guide dog skills such as finding sidewalks and avoiding obstacles.

After Ceva’s harness training, she is matched with a blind or visually impaired person based on lifestyle, travel pace, physical size and stamina. Her owner will learn how to work with Ceva, including commands, making corrections, proper praise and physical care. Each day of the 26-day session is packed with activities starting at 6:30 a.m.

Ceva and her owner will learn to work together and build trust as they travel on streets, in shopping centers and more. Upon graduation, Ceva and her owner will share a special bond that continues for life. This human-animal bond allows her owner to gain independence and lead a more fulfilling, enriching life.

About Ceva Animal Health: Ceva’s key companion animal products include the Vectra® line of parasiticides, AdaptilTM (formerly D.A.P.) and Feliway® pheromone behavior aids and Senilife® neuroprotection for aging pets. Ceva Biomune’s key poultry products include CEVAC® Transmune IBD, Vectormune® FP and Vectormune® HVT. Ceva Biomune Campus and the North America Zone headquarters are both located in Lenexa, Kansas. Visit www.ceva.us.

About Ceva Santé Animale: Ceva’s parent company is a global veterinary health company focused on the research, development, production and marketing of pharmaceutical products and vaccines for pets, livestock, swine and poultry. Its headquarters is in Libourne, France. Visit www.ceva.com.

About Leader Dogs for the Blind: Since its founding, the Leader Dogs for the Blind non-profit organization has provided guide dog services to more than 14,000 blind and visually impaired students throughout the United States and in 39 countries. Today, the organization trains and graduates some 250 guide dogs and student teams a year. All services are provided free of charge to students, including room and board and travel to and from its campus in Rochester Hills, MI, for students living in North America. To learn other ways you can help Leader Dogs for the Blind and to get involved, call (888) 777-5332 or visit www.leaderdog.org.

For more information, please contact Carolyn Gilliland at carolyn.gilliland[at]ceva.com or 913.945.4448.

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