• by Tanya Gazdik , March 16, 2017

Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s Chrysler brand is launching an online social initiative to raise awareness about Canine Companions for Independence.

The initiative will support the training and placement of assistance dogs under the organization’s “Give a Dog a Job” campaign, a fundraising and awareness campaign that helps place them with adults, children and veterans with disabilities. Canine Companions is the largest non-profit organization for assistance dogs in the U.S.

Consumers can follow Canine Companions puppy Foley, a Golden Retriever, Labrador cross (and the Chrysler brand’s first official PacifiPuppy) as he goes through his formal training with his recently assigned puppy raiser. Fans can engage with Foley with the #RaisingFoley and #FoleyFriday hashtags on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

“As we follow Foley through his journey, fans will get a first-hand look at watching him grow and learn, from puppy training to becoming a fully trained assistance dog, and also gain an understanding of the huge amount of time and resources it takes to train these amazing dogs,” said Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger cars, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America, in a release.

Fans will be able to follow Foley (named in honor of actor Scott Foley, an ardent supporter of Canine Companions for Independence) as he starts his path in life to being matched with a person with a disability.

This campaign aims to educate the public on the unique contributions these service dogs make in the lives of adults, children and veterans with disabilities. The program will also raise funds to allow the organization to place more dogs.

Chrysler brand and BraunAbility announced at the Chicago Auto Show in February that the companies were joining forces to design a wheelchair-accessible Chrysler Pacifica minivan providing the largest interior space as well as the widest door opening and side-entry ramp in the industry. Chrysler also announced its partnership with Canine Companions.