Petco donates $250,000 to University of Wisconsin veterinary school

Scout surrounded by UW veterinary team (photo courtesy of University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine)

By now, you’ve probably heard about Scout, the golden retriever featured in WeatherTech’sSuper Bowl ad that survived a grave cancer prognosis thanks to the efforts of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.

It seems that WeatherTech’s Super Bowl homage to the university’s veterinary team is having the intended effect: Petco announced on its Facebook page that the Petco Foundation is donating $250,000 to the school.

In an open letter to WeatherTech CEO David MacNeil, Petco CEO Ron Coughlin wrote, “Together with our long time partners in fighting pet cancer at Blue Buffalo, we’re humbled and proud to answer your call to action…. What inspires me the most about your story is the unapologetic way you’re using your position and platform to raise awareness for something that affects so many pets and those of us who love them endlessly.”

Coughlin’s dog Yummy also survived a cancer diagnosis thanks to “remarkable vets” who cared for Yummy and the dedicated research behind the treatment.

“By joining forces,” he concluded, “our hope is that more Scouts and Yummys get lucky, too.”