Headquarters Michigan, United States | Founded 1979 | |
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Similar Leader Dogs for the Blind, Canine Companions for Indep, Guide Dogs for the Blind, American Anti‑Vivisection Society, Can Do Canines Profiles | ||
Paws With A Cause is a national non-profit organization that custom-trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Founded in 1979 by Michael Sapp, Sr., it was originally called "Ears for the Deaf," and specialized in hearing dogs. Since then, it has expanded to include Service Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs and Service Dogs for Children with Autism. Since it started PAWS has placed more than 2600 Assistance Dogs in 41 states.
Contents
K 9 corner featuring non profit paws with a cause
Puppies and Training
Paws With A Cause dogs are donated as puppies by private breeders, bred at PAWS headquarters in Wayland, Michigan, or rescued from animal shelters. While most of the dogs are Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers, other pure-breds such as Cairn Terriers, Papillions, and Poodles are used as well. In all cases, however, donated puppies' parents' hips must be OFA-certified as good or excellent, and all dogs are X-ray-screened before entering formal training. At an average of eight weeks, puppies are placed with volunteer Foster Puppy Raisers who are responsible for basic obedience training and socialization. When the Foster Puppies reach 14-18 months of age, they are transported to PAWS National Headquarters for formal training.
PAWS trains dogs in three phases. During phase 1 training, lasting roughly two months, their basic obedience skills are further honed. Phase 2, which consists of retrieve training, is done concurrently. Once both phase 1 and 2 are complete, the dog moves into phase 3. At this point, what sort of assistance dog it will be, and who it will go to, will be determined. The specialized training of phase 3 takes 4 - 6 months. Each dog is custom trained for the specific tasks needed by its future client.
The Clients
After applying for an Assistance Dog, future clients are visited by a Field Representative to assess their needs. Once accepted, they are placed on a waiting list. Although PAWS Dogs are completely free for clients, internal costs ordinarily exceed $30,000 for the breeding, training and placement of the dog.
Once a dog has completed its formal training, it is taken to its future partner's home and the team begins its in-home training, overseen by the Field Representative. Approximately six months after the first meeting, the team is officially certified and ownership of the dog transferred to the client. Additionally, PAWS Dogs must undergo a re-certification every two years, to ensure the dog is still doing its job correctly, and to address any additional training the dog may need. Ideally, the dogs will work for ten or more years, after which they are retired. After retirement the dog may continue to live with the client or go to live with a family member or friend. "Successor" dogs are provided free of charge and as soon as possible after the retiring of the previous dog.
Career-changing
Some dogs might lack the right temperament, physical health, or stress-resistance for being an assistance dog. At any point in training, from puppies to placement with a client, a dog may be "washed-out" and/or career-changed. If a dog is unable to complete PAWS' training, but still has the right temperament for assistance dog work, it may be transferred to PAWS' guide dog partner, Leader Dogs for the Blind for training there. Other "working careers" are also options for former Paws Dogs, including working for US Customs, Police Departments, or Arson Detection.