By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Paws With A Cause (PAWS) celebrated a milestone moment by recently breaking ground for their $9.5 million facility renovation project.

For over 45 years, PAWS has enhanced the independence and quality of life for those with disabilities through the use of custom-trained Assistance Dogs. Since its inception, PAWS has placed over 3,000 Assistance Dogs with people with disabilities.

Determined to do more

Four years ago the PAWS team brainstormed one simple goal: to serve even more people with disabilities.

“By 2030, our goal is to place over 100 assistance dogs with clients annually, and for 90% of our PAWS dogs to go into some kind of working career,” said Sarah Osterman, PAWS Board of Directors Chair and volunteer foster puppy raiser at the groundbreaking ceremony.

There is a growing demand for Assistance Dogs and the lifetime support that PAWS offers. Each year over 400 qualified individuals apply for a PAWS Assistance Dog. Current buildings and facilities limit the ability to address this unmet need.

“PAWS has outgrown our capacity to be able to breed, raise and train more PAWS dogs in these current facilities,” said Osterman. “Renovating our building to address these needs for improvement will allow us to expand our transformational and inspirational work.”

Embracing the journey

The first step toward attaining these renovation goals was to embark on PAWS’s first community-wide capital campaign, Embrace the Journey, in April 2024.

“The goal for the Embrace the Journey campaign is to raise $9.5 million in charitable gifts, allowing us to improve five critical areas in our existing facilities and to address the growing demand for assistance and facility dogs,” said PAWS CEO, Michele Suchovsky.

“Many community members rallied around our vision for the future. I am thrilled to share that today we have raised over $8.6 million of that $9.5 million.”

To date, more than 700 donors have supported the campaign.

PAWS National Headquarters is nestled amid commercial firms and farmland in Wayland, MI. Though the current PAWS facilities have served them well since 1994, few improvements have been made over the years.

The upcoming renovations will include:

• Improved kennels
• Exemplary veterinary facilities
• National breeding center
• New foster puppy spaces
• Updated training facilities

“With these renovations we’ll be able to place more Assistance Dogs with clients, and place more working dogs in community-focused careers through our purposeful placements department,” said Suchovsky.

But more importantly, the results of these renovations will be felt by current and future PAWS clients.

Life-changing moments

“Each PAWS Assistance Dog opens a world of possibilities, something I can personally attest to as a client,” said Molly Koroleski, PAWS Board Member and client.

After contracting meningitis at the age of three, Koroleski woke from a coma to realize  she had lost her hearing. She moved through life unable to hear smoke alarms, emergency sirens or a knock on the door. Though she had family to tell her when those things occurred, it was troubling to be unaware of them when alone.

“Then I discovered PAWS, and my life changed,” Koroleski said. “Through the PAWS custom matching process, I received Mater, an Assistance Dog that was custom-trained to help with exactly what I needed.”

When Koroleski learned she was pregnant with her son, she called the PAWS team.

“Mater had already been my Hearing Dog for two and a half years at that point, and he wasn’t originally trained to the sound of a baby’s cries,” said Koroleski.

Within a few weeks of making the call, the PAWS team had trained Mater to alert Koroleski to her baby crying.

“I felt much more prepared to care for my son with Mater by my side,” said Koroleski. “These renovations will allow PAWS to match and custom-train more Assistance Dogs like Mater for clients like me.”

Service Dogs for Children with Autism, known as SDA dogs, are also in high demand, with four applications for every one SDA spot available.

“These children deserve an Assistance Dog that will help them,” said Suchovsky. “We know how important a PAWS Assistance Dog is for a person with a disability.”

It’s time to give back…

For years, local residents have rallied behind PAWS to help those in need.

Deann and Kevin Hurn, Hudsonville residents and volunteer foster puppy raisers, have been volunteering at PAWS for over 13 years, currently fostering their ninth puppy. Recently, Kevin became a PAWS board member.

When asked why she became involved with PAWS, Deann said, “To give back, to help somebody else. We just feel very blessed with everything God has given us – healthy children, healthy grandchildren – and it’s great to give back.”

Deann is currently hosting a Visiting House Dog in the PAWS program that she brings to Pine Rest Mental Health Hospital every week to visit with the inpatients.

“I come home every week and tell my husband that I was in tears because of what she did for someone, how she loved on them and what it meant to them,” said Deann. “It’s so cool to see.”

Deann heard about PAWS when she met a woman with an Assistance Dog. The woman encouraged Deann to attend the next PAWS meeting.

“I came home and told Kevin, ‘I’m going to this information meeting, but it’s just information.’” Deann paused. “A week later we had our first dog,” she said with a laugh.

One step closer…

As PAWS renovations begin, excitement is high.

“We are excited that this project will allow us to serve more clients, and our clients are excited too,” said Suchovsky. “We are one step closer to our goals and to creating thriving communities for us all.”

Learn more about the PAWS organization here.