Petsense by Tractor Supply, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), has announced the successful completion of its latest nationwide fundraising effort in support of America’s veterans. Through an eight-week round-up campaign benefiting K9s For Warriors—the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs for veterans—the retailer raised more than $130,000 across its 206 stores. This contribution will directly fund the training, care, and pairing of two life-saving service dogs for veterans battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other invisible wounds of military service.
The campaign, which ran from September 15 through Veterans Day, invited customers to round up their purchases at checkout to support K9s For Warriors. During this period, more than 157,000 customers chose to donate, with an average donation of 81 cents. Nearly one in every five transactions included a contribution, reflecting widespread customer commitment to a cause that deeply resonates with communities across the country.
A Community Effort With Real Impact
Neil Tenzer, Senior Vice President of Petsense by Tractor Supply, emphasized the collective spirit behind the campaign’s success. “This campaign is a powerful example of what can happen when communities come together for a shared cause,” he said. “Our customers, Team Members, and partners rallied behind this mission to support both rescue dogs and veterans. We’re honored to help strengthen the bond between pets and people while making a meaningful impact where we live and serve.”
The fundraising initiative continues Petsense by Tractor Supply’s longstanding commitment to supporting veterans, rescue animals, and programs that connect the two. The company’s retail model—built around local engagement and community relationships—has allowed it to unite customers, associates, and nonprofit partners around meaningful missions like this one.
About K9s For Warriors and Its Mission
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Ponte Vedra, Florida, K9s For Warriors is a nationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to combating veteran suicide and improving the lives of post-9/11 service members coping with PTSD, TBI, and other challenges. Unlike many other service dog programs, K9s For Warriors focuses heavily on using dogs rescued from shelters, giving both dogs and veterans a second chance at life.
Before joining the program, each dog undergoes six to eight months of intensive training, preparing them to handle a veteran’s physical and psychological needs. Once training is complete, veterans participate in a three-week residential program at K9s For Warriors campuses in Florida or Texas. There, they bond with their matched service dog and receive personalized training, support, and education to prepare them for daily life together.
Lindsay Grayson, Chief Revenue Officer at K9s For Warriors, said the continued partnership with Petsense by Tractor Supply plays a critical role in expanding the organization’s life-saving mission. “We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of Petsense by Tractor Supply to further our mission to end veteran suicide,” she noted. “K9s For Warriors has the privilege every day to see the impact a Service Dog has on a veteran. With a battle buddy by their side, the veteran returns to a life with renewed confidence and independence. Petsense by Tractor Supply’s generosity allows us to save more lives at both ends of the leash.”
A Broader Commitment to Veterans and First Responders
The round-up campaign is just one component of Tractor Supply’s larger pledge to support military members, veterans, first responders, and their families. Through its Hometown Heroes initiative, launched in 2024, Tractor Supply and the Tractor Supply Foundation have contributed more than $3 million to organizations championing the well-being of individuals who serve their communities and country.
A key part of this support includes sponsoring veteran–service dog pairings through K9s For Warriors. To date, donations from the Tractor Supply Foundation have funded five pairings, each with a uniquely meaningful story. The dogs selected for each pairing are named to honor influential leaders or figures connected to Tractor Supply or American military history:
- Nathan & JR (November 2024) – JR was named after Jim Wright, former Tractor Supply CEO and Chairman.
- William & Charlie (December 2024) – Charlie was named after Charles Schmidt, founder of Tractor Supply.
- Darren & Scarlett (September 2025) – Scarlett was named in honor of Joe Scarlett, former CEO of the company.
- Jacob & Murphy (September 2025) – Murphy pays tribute to Audie Murphy, one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War II.
- Andrew & Rx (November 2025) – Nicknamed Rex, Rx was named after Allivet, Tractor Supply’s pet pharmacy business.
Each pairing represents a life transformed—often in ways that go far beyond the initial training or program participation. Veterans who complete the K9s For Warriors program commonly report improvements in sleep quality, emotional stability, social engagement, and overall independence. Many have reduced or eliminated reliance on medications and feel better equipped to reintegrate into family life and community activities.
A Veteran’s Story: Darren and Scarlett
Among the most recent graduates supported through the Tractor Supply Foundation is Air Force Technical Sergeant Darren B., of Virginia, partnered with his service dog Scarlett. Darren graduated from K9s For Warriors in September 2025, marking a milestone in a journey toward healing and renewed confidence.
In reflecting on the experience, Darren expressed profound gratitude for the impact of the Hometown Heroes program. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Petsense by Tractor Supply and the Hometown Heroes program for this life-changing opportunity,” he said. For Darren, as for many veterans, receiving a service dog is not simply about assistance—it is about regaining independence, reclaiming a sense of purpose, and rediscovering the stability needed for everyday life.
A Lasting Partnership for Change
The sustained collaboration between Petsense by Tractor Supply and K9s For Warriors highlights the power of partnerships grounded in shared values. It blends support for animal welfare with a deep commitment to addressing veterans’ mental health challenges, creating a unique and impactful model of community engagement.
For Petsense by Tractor Supply, efforts like this round-up campaign are more than fundraising—they represent the company’s mission to serve both people and pets in meaningful, lasting ways. The funds raised will help ensure that two veterans receive highly trained service dogs capable of providing comfort, safety, and stability. At the same time, rescued dogs will gain a new role and purpose, forming bonds that can reshape the lives of the veterans they serve.
As the Hometown Heroes initiative continues to grow, Petsense by Tractor Supply and Tractor Supply Company reaffirm their dedication to giving back to those who have sacrificed so much. With each campaign, donation, and veteran-dog pairing, they help build a brighter future where no veteran fights their battles alone—and where every dog has the chance to change a life.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
