EMBRACE THE JOURNEY
For 45 years, Paws With A Cause (PAWS) has assisted thousands of people living with disabilities in embracing the journey of life through our amazing Assistance Dogs. Each custom trained PAWS Dog opens a world of possibilities – inspiring independence, confidence, companionship, and dignity for individuals, families, and communities.
More than 400 qualified individuals apply for their own PAWS Assistance Dog each year, far beyond our current capacity to serve. We are determined to answer the growing need for more custom-trained Assistance Dogs through strategic improvements that will maximize efficiency and support expanded programs in the world-class breeding, care, and training of our dogs. This will allow us to serve more qualified applicants and support them on their PAWS journeys.
Will you join PAWS to empower more lives through custom-trained Assistance Dogs?
OUR JOURNEY PROGRESS
The facility improvements needed to support the expansion of our mission and reach more of these qualified applicants will cost $9.5 million to complete. We’re excited to share that PAWS has raised $8.5 million in charitable gifts towards our $9.5 million capital campaign goal already. Now we need the help of our community to raise the remaining $1 million.
PAWS has raised $8.5 of $9.5 million!
THE VISION FOR OUR FUTURE
PAWS has outgrown our capacity to breed, raise, and train more PAWS Dogs in our facilities, which we first moved into in 1994. The existing breeding facilities are not configured to support an expanded Breeding Program. Our training spaces no longer reflect the contemporary lives of PAWS Clients and pose obstacles to our dogs in training. Inefficient building layouts prevent our veterinary, dog care, and training staff from most effectively caring for our dogs on a daily basis. Renovating our buildings to address these needs for improvement and modernizing these spaces will allow us to expand our transformational and inspiring work.
MODERNIZED TRAINING FACILITIES
A renovated, contemporary on-site training floor will feature two training apartments and updated, flexible equipment that reflects the lives of people living in the 21st century. Training in this space will prepare each PAWS Dog for the conditions they will meet in their careers. Upgraded training areas will also allow trainers to maximize their time with each dog, while minimizing distractions and increasing efficiency.
IMPROVED ADA ACCESSIBILITY
Revitalizing locations to work with our Clients, volunteers, and dogs will improve daily operations and offer a warm welcome to our key constituents. Spaces will be renovated to allow the highest level of ADA accessibility for Clients, volunteers, and staff. Wheelchair-accessible meeting rooms, staff office spaces, grooming rooms, and supply rooms will strengthen Client relationships and reflect the high caliber work of our specialized staff.
UPGRADED VETERINARY CLINIC
PAWS will create its first dedicated veterinary clinic. The renovated space will offer a streamlined layout allowing our vet staff to more efficiently and effectively treat each PAWS Dog in our care. A surgery room, recovery room, X-Ray lab, exam spaces, and waiting area will offer technological upgrades that reflect the highest standards of modern veterinary care.
NEW CANINE VILLAGE
PAWS will build a new canine village featuring updated living quarters and care areas for our dogs in the final stage of their training to become an Assistance Dog. The new village will increase the number of dogs that can be in training while also creating an environment that will minimize levels of kennel stress. Additionally, the space will be built with materials that are easier to maintain for our staff and volunteers so that our primary focus can be on interacting with our dogs.
RENOVATED BREEDING & FOSTER PUPPY SPACES
PAWS’ Breeding Program will continue its innovative development through a state-of-the-art breeding lab, renovated kennels, whelping areas, and puppy rooms. The Foster Puppy and PAWS Volunteer areas will be updated to provide puppy training spaces, volunteer meeting and education rooms, and updated administrative volunteer support spaces.
SUPPORT THE PAWS JOURNEY
With your help, we can reach our goal and open a world of possibilities for more clients in need through the partnership of a PAWS Dog.
Will you support the future of PAWS with a gift today?
One-time Gift
Support the future of PAWS with a one-time gift.
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Pledge Form
Support the future of PAWS with a recurring gift.
Pledge Here
IRA Rollover
Make a charitable gift from your IRA.
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NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
Would you like our new veterinary clinic named in honor of you or someone you love? How about an ADA accessible meeting room? Or one of our new state-of-the-art training spaces?
PAWS would like to honor your generosity through a naming opportunity on campus! Your gift of $5,000 or more can be recognized with a plaque on one of our new kennel suites that house PAWS dogs. There are additional opportunities for gifts of $7,500 or more – please contact Teresa Newmarch at tnewmarch@pawswithacause.org or call 616-877-7297 ext. 246.
Thank you to FMD Architects, Dan Vos Construction Company, and Journey Construction Group for working to bring our vision for the future of PAWS to life!
Questions?
Please contact Carrie Simmons at csimmons@pawswithacause.org or call (616) 877-7297 ext. 412.