January 16, 2009, Orlando, FL – Why do we love our pets? A new online promotion, “I Love My Pet Because” (www.Ilovemypetbecause.com), is now giving pet owners the opportunity to tell the world why they love their pet, and at the same time spread love and protection to a group of service dogs that are specially trained to be essential companions to people in wheelchairs or have mobility problems. The contest is open to all pet owners. The pet owner with the winning story, along with their veterinarian, will each win $1,000 this Valentine’s Day. But, perhaps the real winner in this contest is a very special group of dogs.

For every entry received, the makers of Vectra 3D™, Ceva, have pledged to provide one free month of flea, tick, and mosquito protection to puppies and dogs in-training at the New Horizons Service Dogs, a non-profit organization that provides highly trained dogs to people in wheelchairs or with mobility problems.

“I Love My Pet Because” launches on January 16th and pet owners have until midnight on February 14th to submit their entries. All pet owners have to do is visit www.Ilovemypetbecause.com, upload a picture of their pet, fill out the entry form and answer the brief question, “Why do you love your pet?” Site visitors can also sign up to receive a free text message containing one of the contest entries, each day from February 1 through Valentine’s Day.

New Horizon Service Dogs (www.newhorizonsservicedogs.org) is a Florida-based (c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing trained and certified service dogs to persons with disabilities. A service dog is a dog that has been professionally trained to assist a person with a disability by performing specifically needed physical tasks.

Janet Severt, Founder and Director of New Horizons, has been treating her dogs and puppies with Vectra 3D™ for over a year.

“Vectra 3D™ is one of the best flea and tick products we have ever used,” explained Ms. Severt. “Before using Vectra 3D™, we had many issues with the dogs getting fleas, even when using other flea and tick products. Since we started using Vectra 3D™ over a year ago, we have managed to get the dogs’ flea issues under control. The dogs are not scratching themselves and they have experienced significantly less skin irritations. Additionally, the dogs have not had any tick issues since using Vectra 3D™.”

Ms. Severt is also committed to using Vectra 3D™ on the puppies while raising and training them for advancement in the service dog program. “Since our organization is in Florida, it is important that the dogs and puppies are protected with Vectra 3D™ all year round since fleas and ticks are an issue in this area throughout the year,” said Ms. Severt. “That is why we are very excited that our dogs are the recipients of free product whenever someone submits an entry to this contest.”

New Horizons Service Dogs

New Horizons was founded by Janet Severt, who herself is a service dog user, along with a dedicated group of volunteers. Its headquarters is located in Orange City, FL, about 25 minutes north of Orlando and the group enlists puppy raisers throughout the state of Florida and in other states as well. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, and an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International, the group operates under the mission to provide quality, trained service dogs to people with disabilities; educate the public and raise awareness regarding the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities; and provide on-going support to the recipient to assure a successful working partnership. For more information visit www.newhorizonsservicedogs.org.

About Ceva Animal Health: Ceva’s key companion animal products include the Vectra® line of parasiticides, 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.

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

###