Paws With A Cause

Paws With A Cause is a non-profit organization that trains assistance dogs for the people with disabilities. Founded in 1979 by Michael Sapp, Sr., it was originally called "Ears for the Deaf," and specialized in hearing dogs. [History of Paws With A Cause http://www.pawswithacause.org/history.asp] Since then, it has expanded to include mobility assistance and seizure response dogs as well, and services a large part of the United States.

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 mixes such as labradoodles have been 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 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 With A Cause Foster Puppies http://www.pawswithacause.org/dogs-foster.asp]

After a short period to get used to kennel-life, dogs start "Phase 1" training, lasting roughly two months, in which 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 may take anywhere from four months up to a year to train some service dogs. Each dog is custom trained for the specific tasks needed by it's future client.

Hearing Dogs go through an obedience phase, where basic obedience and sign language commands are taught. They concurrently go through sounds training, where they will be taught to alert to common household sounds, such as a doorknock, smoke alarm, telephone, or baby's cry. Each dog is custom trained to respond the sounds needed by it's future client.

The Clients

After applying for an assistance dog, future clients are visited by an area representative to assess the person's needs. Once accepted, they are placed on a waiting list for their state. Although PAWS dogs are completely free for clients, internal costs ordinarily exceed $18,000 for the breeding/rescuing and training of the dog. Once funding is in place, a dog is selected to best match that person's lifestyle, and is specifically trained for that person's specific needs. People may also raise money for or pay for their own 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 area's 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 and may 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, and are funded by Paws' Endowment Fund.

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 even having been with a person several months, a dog may be "washed-out" and/or career-changed. Some dogs are determined to become "social-support" dogs during formal training. While these may have some training as assistance dogs, they do not have rights of access that allow them to visit public places. 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, and therapy work. Many others are simply returned to the breeder or puppy raiser, or are adopted by families as pets.

ee also

*Canine Companions for Independence
*Support Dogs, Inc.

References