WAYLAND, Mich. — For 45 years, Paws With A Cause has placed custom-trained assistance dogs with people who need them. And now they're asking for your help so they can continue to do so.
The nonprofit launched the public phase of its first-ever community capital campaign to allow the organization to expand on Tuesday, totaling $9.5 million.
Paws has been operating out of their current facility since 1994 and leaders say they've outgrown it. The expansion will include updated training facilities as well as a breeding clinic and a veterinary clinic.
“Due to the age of our buildings, we are not working as efficiently as we could be. The existing breeding facilities are not configured to support an expanded Breeding Program. Our training spaces no longer reflect the contemporary lives of PAWS Clients and pose obstacles to our dogs in training. Inefficient building layouts prevent our veterinary, dog care, and training staff from most effectively caring for our dogs on a daily basis,” said Michelle Suchovksy, CEO.
So far, they've garnered over $7.7 million towards the project. They hope the community can help with the remaining $1.8 million.
"Every year, we receive over 400 qualified applications for assistance dogs, and we can serve maybe 25% of those. This project is going to allow us to be able to train more dogs, and really serve more people, both with assistance dogs that we're doing already, but then through all the other programs that we're doing with our purposeful placements," said Suchovksy.
The proposed plans for the building improvements will be finalized in July.
“Each custom trained PAWS Dog opens a world of possibilities – inspiring independence, confidence, companionship, and dignity for individuals, families, and communities,” she said. “This campaign will allow us to serve more people and create thriving communities for us all. We need everyone’s help in securing the last $1.8 million to ensure that we can achieve all we have planned and serve more Clients.”
You can make a donation on Paws With A Cause's website.
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