Pet owners throughout the country are helping workers with a developmental disability while protecting their pets in case of an emergency.
The VSI Pet Kit™ is a self-contained, weather-esistant first aid kit that was designed with input from professional veterinarians and pet lovers. Containing the most-recommended items to care for a pet during an emergency, Pet Kit™ is compact enough to fit in a drawer or even under a car seat. Most of all, it provides peace of mind for pet owners who may be faced with cuts, wounds, or other emergencies.
Pet Kit™ is one of several Pet Care Products from Vocational Services, Inc., a Liberty, Mo., not-for-profit corporation that provides employment and other opportunities for individuals with a developmental disability. A 30-year-old organization, VSI began Pet Care Products in 1993 in order to expand and ensure opportunities as traditional jobs were increasingly lost to international competition. A major "by-product" has been the enjoyment that workers receive when their handiwork is on display at pet stores and other locations.
VSI Executive Director Randy Hylton said the positive reception awarded Pet Kit™ at major product shows and by the public has been gratifying. "We worked very hard to design a quality product that would meet the needs of pet owners," he said. "But it's also gratifying that the work of our employees have been so well received. That's very exciting."
Pet Kit™ is not the first nor last Pet Care Product. The effort was initiated with Vet Kit™, a first aid kit for horses that evolved when a trail accident proved that being prepared is important. Although the horse survived without lasting harm, the incident led Hylton to look for a comprehensive yet affordable kit that could provide emergency care until professional help was contacted. When none could be found, Vet Kit™ was developed. It quickly achieved wide appeal and has been featured in several national magazines and on television.
Vet Kit™ was followed with specialized horse products such as the Trail, Foal and Barn kits. More recently, the Pet Kit™ has been joined by the popular Bird Kit™ and the Sport Dog Kit™, a special first-aid product for owners of hunting, field trial and other outdoor canine activities. It has even drawn intense interest from several in law enforcement who use dogs for drug enforcement and other dangerous areas.
Hylton said the development of these products is exciting but their real purpose must be kept in mind. "It's important that we constantly look for new and expanded opportunities for our employees," he said. "Products such as Pet Kit™ are an excellent way to create jobs for workers with a disability. The more opportunity we create through our own efforts, the more opportunity we can offer, regardless of global economics or other factors. In today's economy, that's the best way for us to serve the community."
Pet Kit™ is available individually or in dealer groups
for shops and clubs. For additional information, call (816) 781-9300
or 1-800-831-7245.
