John Isner is helping animals in shelters get healthy meals

It’s been more than 35 years since Ronald Reagan stated, during his first inaugural address, “Those who say that we’re in a time when there are no heroes, they just don’t know where to look.” We discovered heroes in every state, starting with the determined 69-year-old who won a match at an ITF Pro Circuit event earlier this year in the Alabama town of Pelham, and culminating with the coach who has overcome multiple sclerosis to build a winning program at the University of Wyoming. Their compelling stories of courage, perseverance and achievement demonstrate that the message delivered by our 40th President rings as true today as it did then.

John Isner makes no secret of his love of the Bulldogs. The University of Georgia alum has worn a ‘Dawgs cap to post-match press conferences, donned red-and-black apparel on the court and tweets about the school’s football team each fall. He also loves dogs—and cats, and other pets that are waiting for their forever homes in animal shelters around the country.

One look at Isner and Magill—his eight-year-old English Cocker Spaniel, named after the late UGA tennis coach—confirms the 6’10” North Carolinian’s adoration of animals. He’s taken it one step further this year with the Aces for Animals campaign. For every ace Isner hit at selected U.S. tournaments this year, Nulo, an Austin, TX-based pet-food company, donated 10 meals to a local animal shelter on his behalf.

“Athletes make great ambassadors—they care about fitness, they care about nutrition,” says Jeremy Humble, VP of Brand & Marketing at Nulo. “It’s not a big stretch for them to carry the flag about great nutrition for their pets, too.”

Isner has embraced the mission wholeheartedly, visiting local shelters at tour stops, hitting campaign-branded tennis balls into the stands and, of course, swatting massive first serves. Through September, Isner served 328 aces at Nulo-sponsored events, meaning that 3,280 pet meals have been donated.

“John’s a great person, very active with the pet community,” says Humble. “He’s really promoted it at every venue. A lot of the tournament directors have gotten on board.”

Isner’s opponents and practice partners can only shake their heads when he whizzes an ace past them. But for many pets, including Magill, it’s an opportunity to wag their tails in delight.

“Generally, he’s pretty good, even though he’s ball obsessed,” Isner says about Magill when he comes to watch him play. “He’s been known to interrupt a practice or two.”