AA Pet Insurance continues sponsorship of NZ Epilepsy Assist Dog Trust

AA Pet Insurance has announced that it will continue its sponsorship of the New Zealand Epilepsy Assist Dog Trust (NZEADT) through 2023.

The sponsorship, initiated in late 2021, will also adopt a new model, with AA Pet Insurance donating to NZEADT for every customer who purchases a policy.

NZEADT is a charity formed in 2007 that helps train dogs to assist New Zealanders living with severe epilepsy, which will help people live with independence and security. Andrea Hawkless, the organisation’s founder, had a son with epilepsy whose condition failed to significantly improve despite medications and brain surgery. This led Hawkless to form NZEADT, with no such organisation previously existing in New Zealand.

“Last year it was incredibly rewarding to provide NZEADT service dogs with insurance protection against sickness or injury, plus knowing that this gave their owners some peace of mind if anything were to happen,” said Kath Woollard, general manager of AA Pet Insurance. “We are so happy we can continue the partnership and grow the sponsorship model so that with every customer who takes out a policy, we will be make a contribution to this life-changing trust, which gives people with epilepsy more independence and freedom.”

AA Pet Insurance donations will sponsor the insurance premium for eligible NZEADT dogs for the next 12-month period. The remaining funds will be gifted to assist the NZEADT in their mission to help people living with severe epilepsy achieve independence by providing trained assistance dogs, AA Insurance said.

“We are delighted to be continuing the partnership with AA Pet Insurance,” said NZEADT board member Jan McEwen. “Vet expenses can be an unexpected cost at any stage of life for a service dog so knowing that our insured dogs are covered will be very reassuring for our financial planning.”