Our mission
The Caplan Bensley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose overall mission is to provide individuals and families in need, along with their canine companions a well-nourished, safe, comfortable, and secure life.
To fulfill the strategic objective of “Saving Both Ends of the Leash®”, the CBF supports two complimentary programs: Jazzy’s Place and Canine Residences in Supporting People (CRiSP).
The Jazzy’s Place initiative provides free dog food to help households experiencing difficulties feed their beloved pet dog and keep them at home so that they never have to be abandoned or placed in an animal shelter. Grants are provided through a network of fully vetted food banks and pantries across the country that are part of the Feeding America program.
The CBF also supports the Colorado Pet Pantry and is seeking to establish similar statewide programs that would greatly expand the dog food distribution network to locations that cannot otherwise provide dog food to those in need.
The Colorado Pet Pantry partners with local food banks and pantries, churches, and other nonprofit groups that provide free dog food to individuals and families facing difficulties. All have been vetted, and have had their clients vetted, providing a very efficient distribution process that also reduces administrative costs and channels benefits to those truly in need.
Today a serious limiting factor exists with food banks having space constraints and needing to prioritize human food. The CBF wants to alleviate this problem by supporting mobile delivery and auxiliary storage programs similar to the outreach that Colorado Pet Pantry is providing.
When people experience hardships, they are forced to choose between feeding themselves or their pet dog. By giving grants that provide dog food to those truly in need, Jazzy’s Place provides a solution to households facing this dilemma, and families no longer have to take food off the table to feed their beloved pet dogs.
Providing proper nourishment for themselves and their dogs is essential for humans bonding with their pet dogs. To fulfill this human-pet bond, it is equally important to support those facing other difficulties and are unable to keep their pet dog at home.
While Jazzy’s Place delivers dog food nourishment to households in need, CRiSP will provide emotional support and comfort for those who are handicapped, or otherwise incapable of maintaining a safe home for their pet dog.
CRiSP provides a fostering program by assembling a thoroughly vetted network of dedicated volunteer Residence Providers who are supervised by Regional Directors.
CRiSP also serves a significant dual purpose by accommodating the interests of dog owners, while at the same time providing valuable community services. This initiative provides comfort to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers or those in veterans and assisted living facilities.
Jazzy’s Place and CRiSP both permit dog owners to continue maintaining a close bond at home, rather than their pet-dogs being placed in an animal shelter or abandoned. These two programs preserve the bonded relationship between owners and their beloved pet-dogs during their entire lives together.
The CBF is acutely aware of the important role canines play in a human’s life and health. Research has concluded that tangible, mutual benefits exist when dogs are present in people’s lives. Studies have proven the positive impact of human-canine interactions on individual and community health.
Pet dogs are extremely beneficial to their owners and are valuable companions to children, the elderly, veterans, and those living alone, or suffering in any way. For many alone or at-risk individuals, their pet dog is the only reason to go on living.
Keeping dogs out of shelters not only saves the life of the dog, but also brings huge relief to the owners who can keep their beloved companion and continue to receive the great benefits of that bond. These bonds between humans and their lifelong pet dogs are enhanced and strengthened through both Jazzy’s Place and the CRiSP program.
The CBF will be offering opportunities at all levels for individuals to participate and encourage others to become involved in the CRiSP program. These range from dedicated volunteer Residence Providers to Regional Directors to C-level executives.
The Jazzy’s Place Grants program is fully sponsored by David Reid and Maria Bensley Caplan. The Caplan’s will also support all fundraising expenses as well as providing Millbrook Estate as the operational and fundraising headquarters for CRiSP.
Donors can have complete confidence knowing that 100% of their contributions will be totally dedicated to fulfilling the charitable benefits of this program and not used for fundraising.