Veterinary Pet Insurance Teams with NY Jets’ Eric Decker and Country Music Singer Jessie James Decker to Help Fund the Rescue, Training and Uniting of Shelter Dogs with Disabled Veterans

BREA, Calif., April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation’s first and largest provider of pet health insurance, commemorates Pet Parent’s Day® on May 3 by teaming up with the Eric and Jessie Decker Foundation in support of Deckers Dogs. A partner of Freedom Service Dogs of America, Deckers Dogs helps fund the rescue, care and custom training of shelter dogs to assist our military veterans returning home with disabilities.

Through Memorial Day (May 25), VPI will donate $5 (up to $10,000) to the Eric and Jessie Decker Foundation for every unique pet insurance quote generated at petparentsday.com. New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker and his wife, country music singer Jessie James Decker, established Deckers Dogs in 2013 to support Freedom Service Dogs of America, an organization developed to help returning war veterans and military personnel transition from active duty and combat to civilian life. Active duty service members and veterans with disabilities are placed with highly specialized service dogs who help them find a new level of independence in their post-combat life.

“We created Pet Parent’s Day eight years ago to recognize the bond that pet owners share with their furry family members. It’s a commitment founded on love and trust in one another,” said Curtis Steinhoff, director of communications for VPI. “It’s an honor to once again partner with Deckers Dogs on Pet Parent’s Day and help build invaluable bonds between these rescued service dogs and our wounded warriors.”

For a typical service dog, the journey from shelter to service takes 10 months and costs approximately $25,000. With the help of the public’s support, Deckers Dogs has already funded the rescue, care and custom training of four service dogs for military veterans, with two additional matches already funded and underway.

About Veterinary Pet Insurance
With more than 525,000 pets insured nationwide, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency (VPI), a Nationwide company, is the first and largest pet health insurance provider in the United States. Since 1982, VPI has helped provide pet owners with peace of mind and is committed to being the trusted choice of America’s pet lovers.

VPI plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Wellness coverage for routine care is available for an additional premium. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, one in three Fortune 500 companies offers VPI Pet Insurance as an employee benefit.

Insurance plans are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states. Underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A rated company (2013); National Casualty Company (all other states), Madison, WI, an A.M. Best A+ rated company (2014). Veterinary Pet Insurance, VPI and the cat/dog logo are service marks of Veterinary Pet Insurance Company. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide Is On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. ©2015 Veterinary Pet Insurance Company and Nationwide. Pet owners can find VPI on Facebook or follow @VPI on Twitter. For more information about VPI, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.

About Eric and Jessie Decker Foundation
The Eric and Jessie Decker Foundation (EJDF), through its fundraising efforts and community outreach, strives to positively impact the lives of United States military service members and veterans as well as animals. EJDF is committed to service to those who have served us via Deckers Dogs, which helps fund the rescue, care and training of service dogs for military veterans returning home with disabilities. For further information, go to ejdeckerfoundation.com.