The number of Americans living with a disability is skyrocketing—44% since 2003—and that number is increasing as the Baby Boom generation gets older. To meet this exploding demand, Paws With A Cause (PAWS®), among the world’s leading providers of assistance Dogs, with its 430 active client teams, launched #AbilityDay on June 23, 2015, a single day of giving to celebrate the ways a person with a disability gains ability with a PAWS Assistance Dog.
Paws With A Cause is a national non-profit organization that relies on donations to raise and train PAWS Dogs. The goal of #AbilityDay is to raise and train the dogs that will meet America’s demand for assistance dogs. More than 2,000 people request a PAWS Dog every year, and more than 150 PAWS Dogs are set to retire during the next three years, making the need more urgent than ever. PAWS is among the most skilled and most capable organizations to meet the nation’s growing demand for assistance dogs.
“PAWS Dogs change peoples’ lives, because Paws With A Cause custom trains dogs with abilities that meet the specific needs of an individual. Ability Day recognizes how PAWS Dogs go beyond human ability to bring transformational change to their owners,” said Michael Sapp, co-founder and CEO of PAWS. “We believe, no matter who you are, there’s a dog with the ability to help. At the same time, we know that no matter who you are, there are people with the ability to help us achieve this goal.”
Ability Day was a 24-hour online fundraising effort that will give PAWS the opportunity to raise $1,000,000 to start meeting America’s increasing demand for assistance dogs, and make a difference to people’s lives nationwide. PAWS clients are making appeals across the country for at least 20,000 people across the United States to contribute at least $50 each, 100 percent of which will go directly to support the training programs that turn normal dogs into PAWS Dogs, and change people’s lives.
While they fell short of their million-dollar goal, they raised an impressive $200,000 and they are still receiving donations.
“The event was a great start,” says a representative of Paws With A Cause. “This is the first event of its kind, and we raised $200,000. We’ve kept the Ability Day website open because gifts continue to come in.”
The Difference a Dog Makes
Just how exactly does an assistant dog make a difference in someone’s life?
SFC Jacob Finger (US Army, Ret) of Denver served in Iraq and experienced daily artillery attacks by IEDs and secondary arms fire from AK47s, which led to multiple concussions, extensive nerve damage and other injuries. During a routine patrol in 2006, his vehicle was destroyed by an IED — a blast that caused his head to go through the bulletproof windshield. To make it through the day he applied for and received an assistance dog from PAWS. His PAWS Dog, DIXIE, has given him confidence, independence and an unprecedented quality of life to manage the negative effects of his traumatic brain injuries.
“When I feel a seizure coming on, Dixie can help me get to a safe place. She stays with me, places her head on my lap or chest, and offers reassurance during those times,” said SFC Finger. “When I’m recovered enough to stand, Dixie braces me until I can regain my balance. My goal with Ability Day is to instill hope in others who are dealing with seizures and traumatic brain injuries.”
Ability Day celebrates PAWS Dogs, assistance dogs that are trained to meet the specific needs of a human being. PAWS Dogs are trained to meet the specific needs of its owner. Through PAWS’ customized training, the abilities of dogs are amplified. They take action when others can’t, providing ability when people need it most.
Since 1979, Paws with a Cause has trained more than 2,500 dogs and placed them in loving homes with people to perform daily acts of service.
To raise and custom train a PAWS dog, it takes approximately two years and $30,000, which comes at no cost to the applicant. They receive the dog for free. The Ability Day campaign was designed to train more dogs, with the idea that we raise even more next year, building upon this what we’ve achieved in 2015.
To help Paws With a Cause reach their #AbilityDay goal, please donate at abilityday.org.
