There’s a non-profit in Wayland, Michigan that makes a difference in the lives of so many people through four-legged friends.

Paws With A Cause enhances the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities nationally through custom-trained Assistance Dogs.

They increases awareness of the rights and roles of Assistance Dog Teams through education and advocacy.

PAWS provides services in 30 states and has placed more than 2,500 Assistance Dogs throughout the country. There are more than 180 volunteer Foster Puppy Raisers and hundreds of people volunteering for PAWS as either breeding host families, community presenters or volunteers at special events.

PAWS trains several types of Assistance Dogs:

•Service Dogs for people with physical disabilities

•Hearing Dogs for people who are Hearing Impaired/Deaf

•Seizure Response Dogs for people with seizure disorders

•Service Dogs for Children with Autism

RAISE A PUPPY CHANGE A LIFE

A Foster Puppy Raiser helps a person living with a disability by raising a dog that will enhance their independence and quality of life. Foster Puppy Raisers volunteer to raise a PAWS Puppy for 14-18 months, until it’s old enough to begin formal Assistance Dog training. During that time, the puppy lives in a raiser’s home while they teach basic obedience and expose the dog to public environments it may experience with a client. Here’s a few things a prospective raiser should know:

•We do not require dog training experience, just a willingness to learn

•You must be committed to teaching basic obedience and attending obedience classes

•You’ll need to expose Foster Puppy to public environments at least three times a week

•We’ll provide you with a team of support to raise the best dog possible for a client

•Must live in the areas of: Grand Rapids, Lansing, Saginaw, Southwest or Southeast Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; or Tallahassee, FL.

If you are interested in helping out this non-profit–please contact:

SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN REGIONAL OFFICE

Email: paws@pawswithacause.org
Address: 1328 Wheaton, Troy, MI 48083
Phone: 248-619-9201 Fax: 248-619-9204
Hours: By appointment