Iams Healthy Naturals Partners With Dog Fancy(R) to Launch Dog College

IRVINE, Calif., April 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Dog Fancy^® magazine, the world's most widely read dog magazine, and DogChannel.com, the leading online destination for dog lovers, are providing a unique opportunity for dog lovers: Earn a degree online for free at Dog College, sponsored by Iams Healthy Naturals brand dog food.

The Iams Healthy Naturals Dog College program runs from April 15 – July 15, 2010. This three-month curriculum consists of nine courses that give pet owners the foundation for understanding and caring for their dogs.  Those interested in enrolling can read about the classes and sign up at http://www.DogChannel.com/dogcollege

The Dog College curriculum includes courses on physiology, natural nutrition, communication, genetics, environmental science, health science and art history.

Each course includes advice and information from dog experts, and includes reading material, video or slide shows. To graduate, students must complete all of the quizzes with a passing score of 60 percent or higher. To receive top honors, students must take all of the quizzes and score 90 percent or higher on each one.

"Whether you are just thinking about getting a dog, or already have a puppy, older dog, purebred or rescue, you can learn more about dogs, and how to make the relationship with your pet stronger, by taking these classes,'' said Ernie Slone, editor of Dog Fancy and DogChannel.

A valedictorian, chosen from those who score 100 percent on all quizzes, will win a year's worth of Iams Healthy Naturals dog food provided by PETCO. The prize will be delivered by PETCO's Bottomless Bowl program (www.petco.com/bottomlessbowl), a subscription service that allows pet parents to have pet food and supplies delivered right to their door.

All students who complete the course work can print a Dog College "bark-alaureate" diploma.

The launch of Dog College follows the successful completion and graduation of the first semester of Cat College, powered by Cat Fancy magazine, the world's premier cat publication, and CatChannel.com. The valedictorian of Cat College, Winter 2010, is Catherine Garrigus of Ashland, Ohio. She tends to 50 rescue cats, and hopes to incorporate them into a nonprofit rescue center. She also manages two feral cat colonies. She is the winner of a year's worth of Eukanuba cat food, from PETCO's Bottomless Bowl.

The second semester of Cat College, also sponsored by Iams Healthy Naturals, runs from April 1 – June 30, 2010. Those interested in enrolling can sign up at http://www.CatChannel.com/catcollege.

To schedule an interview with one of the editors, contact Lisa MacDonald, marketing director, at 949-855-8822, ext. 3345.

About BowTie, Inc.

BowTie, Inc. is the leader in special-interest pet magazines, trade magazines, books and websites dedicated to pet-loving consumers, pet-supply retailers, veterinarians, breeders and pet professionals worldwide. Divisions of BowTie, Inc. include BowTie Magazines, BowTie Press, BowTie News, Thoroughbred Times Company, Global Distribution Services and www.AnimalNetwork.com.

About P&G Pet Care

For more than 60 years, Procter & Gamble Pet Care (NYSE: PG), the maker of Iams, Eukanuba, and Iams Veterinary Formulas has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet-care products.  To learn more about Iams Veterinary Formulas or general pet care and nutrition information, call the Iams Veterinary Formulas Specialists at (800) 535-8387.  You can also visit us on the Web at www.iams.com or www.eukanuba.com. 

About PETCO

PETCO is a privately held specialty retailer that provides products, services and advice that make it easier for customers to be great pet parents. It operates more than 1,000 stores in 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading pet products and information destination at www.petco.com. Its nonprofit organization, The PETCO Foundation, has raised more than $56 million since its inception in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, PETCO works with and supports approximately 6,200 local animal welfare groups across the country to help find homes for more than 200,000 adoptable animals every year.

SOURCE BowTie, Inc.