Pet Product News Awards DOG & Friends for '2005-2006' Customer Service Award

Pet Product News announced today that DOG & Friends, LLC (Orlando, FL) is awarded the winner of their 2005-2006 Customer Service Award. This award, part of the Pet Product News' prestigious Retailers of the Year program, recognizes retailers for excellence in assisting those who are "always right".

(PRWEB) September 10, 2005 -- Pet Product News announced today that DOG & friends, LLC (Orlando, FL) is awarded the winner of their 2005-2006 Customer Service Award. This award, part of the Pet Product News' prestigious Retailers of the Year program, recognizes retailers for excellence in assisting those who are "always right."

Goldman won the Best Newcomer award last year. This year, it was hard to pass her up for the Customer Service award. Everything the store does relates to its customer service. It begins with Goldman's employee training and continues as she treats customers and their pets as if they were in her own home. She also offers customer loyalty programs. "Whenever anyone enters my store, I know we have something very special in common-our pets," Goldman says.
   
The Pet Product News Retailers of the Year awards, sponsored by Pet Naturals of Vermont (a division of FoodSciences Corporation), were created a decade ago to recognize retailing excellence in the pet industry. Pet Product News, the pet industry's leading trade magazine, will profile the winners in its September issue. Winners will also serve on the Pet Product News Retail Advisory Board for the next year.
   
Candidates for the various awards were selected from surveys distributed to retailers via the magazine and by BowTie Inc.s Retailer Sales force. "We were pleased with the quality of applicants for this year's Retailer of the Year contest," says Carol Boker, editor of Pet Product News. "Narrowing the field to find one winner who meets all the standards of a top-notch pet retailer is difficult. We are proud of our top winner and also pleased that we have additional categories to honor excellence in specific areas of the business."

Retailers were reviewed on the following criteria: employee training practices, promotion of companion animals and pet adoptions, involvement with humane professional and service organizations, innovative promotion, effective strategies in the marketplace, community impact and industry impact. A panel of five Pet Product News staff members evaluated candidates carefully and voted on the winners for each award given out.
   
For additional information on Pet Product News and Fancy Publications, contact Carol Boker, Editor, Pet Product News, a division of BowTie, Inc., at (949) 855-8822.

About Pet Product News
Pet Product News is the leading business newsmagazine covering the issues and trends affecting all sectors of the professional pet industry, including -- but not limited to -- retailers, manufacturers, distributors and trade associations. Pet Product News is published by BowTie News, a division of BowTie, Inc., the industry leader in consumer pet and veterinary trade publishing. You can find BowTie, Inc. and its magazines on the Web at www.animalnetwork.com.

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