Giving back after tragedy – Seacoastonline.com

By Suzanne Laurent news@seacoastonline.com

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. Jim Scotts eyes light up when he talks about his family business, RAWZ Natural Pet Food.

It is the story of three generations who have been involved in pet nutrition.

But it is so much more than that.

Because Scott and his younger brother sustained life-altering injuries 15 months apart in 2005 and 2006, his parents have decided to give 100 percent of the profits of RAWZ back to specific nonprofits.

Seacoast Media Group caught up with Scott recently during lunch at the Krempels Center, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he attends the day program three times a week. Krempels Center was founded by David Krempels in 1995, after he sustained a traumatic brain injury himself in 1992.

I was so depressed because I was trying to accept the fact that it was tough for me to walk and even talk, Scott said. Krempels saved my life.

Scott, now 34, was in a car accident in July 2006. He had been drinking and driving and suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him paralyzed on his left side.

His parents, Jim Scott Jr. and Janet, of Cape Neddick, were already coping with Scotts younger brother Andys accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a balcony in April 2005.

My parents are unbelievable, Scott said. They are so grateful that we are still here, they just want to give back.

He said his grandfather Jim Scott Sr. was a World War II veteran who majored in animal nutrition in college. He purchased the dog biscuit company Old Mother Hubbard, part of the WellPet brand family, in 1961.

My dad wanted to go to law school, but joined his father in the business, Scott said. In the late 90s, my parents bought Wellness Pet Food.

His parents sold the business to spend time with their sons as they went through recovery. They also have a daughter, Aimee Murray, who lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Scotts started a new pet food business two years ago named RAWZ, which offers dogs and cats nutritionally exceptional recipes that provide the highest meat content possible, utilizing natural alternatives to highly-processed ingredients. It is based in York.

Providing good pet nutrition was our first goal, Jim Scott Jr. said. The second goal was to give back. As our sons were recovering, we experienced the spiritual connection of animals helping folks with disabilities.

The family owned a yellow lab named Boomer that Jim Scott III said just knew how to act around my brother when he was in his wheelchair.

Recognizing Boomers crucial role in their sons healing processes, the Scotts pledged to donate 100 percent of the profits after taxes and reserves from RAWZ to nonprofits specifically those that provide service dogs, and treat spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries.

Weve been blessed, Jim Scott Jr.said. The kids are doing well. We are very fortunate.

The RAWZ fund goes to Krempels Center, the Northeast Passage at the University of New Hampshire, Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Boston, NEADS (dogs for deaf and disabled Americans) and National Service Dogs in Canada.

Both Andy and Jim Scott III spent time recovering at Spaulding Rehab. The hospital uses the money for grant writing for ramps, adaptable vehicles and disabled sports programs.

Scott said he tries to get to Krempels every chance he can. He wrote a book about his accident titled, More Than A Speed Bump.

Krempels has set me up to talk at colleges to students in occupational therapy and speech therapy classes, he said. I have come such a long way. Im no longer paralyzed on my left side.

After doing neurological rehabilitation four days a week for two years at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Scott lives on his own in Portsmouth with a rescue dog, Clooney, and is able to drive. He writes for the RAWZ website and does customer support for the business.

I visit accounts and do demos, he said. I also promote the business on social media.

Scott said RAWZ is only sold though independent stores across the country and has a strict no third party e-commerce policy.

Because of Krempels, I now have a life worth living, Scott said. He especially enjoys the group activities that include memory building and emotional support.

He added his brother Andy, who lives in Rye, New Hampshire is doing well. Andy is still paralyzed from the waist down, but holds a math teaching job in Beverly, Massachusetts.

The Scotts are an amazing family, said Lisa Couture, executive director of Krempels. Their ongoing commitment to Krempels Center and other impactful services for people with disabilities through the RAWZ Fund is extraordinary.Their entrepreneurial talents and creative philanthropy are truly changing lives at Krempels Center.

For more information on RAWZ, visitwww.rawznaturalpetfood.com.

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Giving back after tragedy - Seacoastonline.com