paws4people

Assistance dogs transforming lives

The title of “man’s best friend” takes on a whole new meaning at paws4people. From physical rehabilitative regiments, to emotional healing and support, we specially train dogs to keep their humans moving in a positive direction. After all, rediscovering your independence is much more satisfying with a friend by your side.

It’s not exactly common knowledge that assistance dogs can help with a number of conditions and circumstances, but over the last two decades, we’ve successfully taught our clients to navigate physical, emotional, neurological and psychiatric disabilities with a canine companion. Our staff members have placed assistance dogs across the country to lend a helping paw where it’s needed most, and the program continues to grow as we educate others about the power of proper training and positivity. Let paws4people show you how to find your new leash on life, and gain a new best friend along the way.

Our Program

I have achieved the independence that I have fought so hard for my entire life.

Before my Service Dog came home with me, I was practically a hermit. Now I can actually go out into public without the assistance of another person.

I have been able to reconnect with my family. My Service Dog has helped to pull me out of a hole that without her, I never would have left. Now I can even use my time to help other Veterans.

I want to see other Veterans be able to survive; I want to see other Veterans thrive.

When I began training, I hoped JACKSON would help. Now there is no doubt – he is my future.

They have all sacrificed so much. They have earned the help that they need.

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paws4vets

The paws4vets Assistance Dog Placement Program provides customized Assistance Dogs to Veterans, Service Members, and their dependents with physical, neurological, psychiatric, or emotional disabilities. Most of the Clients within this program have PTSD, TBI, MST, Dissociative Amnesia, or other psychological diagnoses. Most of our Clients have had suicidal ideations and/or attempts.

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paws4people® foundation Puppy Development Centers house all paws4people Puppies In-Training from 3 Weeks Old to 20 Weeks Old. During this crucial time of development Puppies are introduced to new sounds, surfaces, environments, people and so much more! Through Puppy Development we build happy, confident Puppies that are prepared for their future work as Assistance Dogs.

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paws4vets

The paws4vets Assistance Dog Placement Program provides customized Assistance Dogs to Veterans, Service Members, and their dependents with physical, neurological, psychiatric, or emotional disabilities. Most of the Clients within this program have PTSD, TBI, MST, Dissociative Amnesia, or other psychological diagnoses. Most of our Clients have had suicidal ideations and/or attempts.

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paws4prisons

The paws4prisons® Program teaches inmates to train various types of Assistance Dogs and then manages and supervises the training of these Assistance Dogs for and in support of the mission of the paws4people foundation. The program inmates, a very high percentage of which have PTSD learn how to train (basic and advanced obedience commands) to “shelter-rescue dogs,” then progress to training highly-trained Assistance Dogs, which know in excess of 100 commands. Since its inception in 2008 Inmate Trainers in the paws4prisons Program have provided in-kind services totaling over $5 Million!

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Service Dog Training Program

This program, the first and only comprehensive one of its kind in the country, empowers students to add a unique and marketable skill set to their education. The most distinctive aspect of the education of Assistance Dogs provided in these courses is that they cover not only the most well-known types of Assistance Dogs, but also a variety of certified Facility Dogs that could enhance their own career paths. To this end, the students are able to align their coursework in Assistance Dog Education with their field of study and desired career field. Therefore, they are not only learning the ways Assistance Dogs impact others, but rather the ways that they can utilize Facility Dogs to impact their own futures.

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