Paws With A Cause

Paws With A Cause is a national non-profit organization that custom-trains assistance dogs for people with disabilities. Founded in 1979 by Michael Sapp, Sr., it was originally called "Ears for the Deaf," and specialized in hearing dogs. Since then, it has expanded to include Service Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs and Service Dogs for Children with Autism. Since it started PAWS has placed more than 2600 Assistance Dogs in 41 states.

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 Poodles are 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 volunteer Foster Puppy 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 trains dogs in three phases. During phase 1 training, lasting roughly two months, 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 takes 4 - 6 months. Each dog is custom trained for the specific tasks needed by its future client.

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