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In August of 2004, while on my way to work, I was involved in a Hit and Run
Accident. I ended up with spinal injuries that resulted in my being bed-ridden for
months. After seeing many doctors, I was told that I would be at the least
utilizing a cane or walker and eventually would need a wheelchair; I had lost the
feeling in my left leg from the waist down. I spent the next few months a
prisoner in my own home, only going out of the house to go to see yet another
doctor, or for small family functions, and only with my husband. By this time, I
felt helpless and isolated. Always afraid that if I was in a crowd I would
embarrass my self by falling, or someone would accidentally bump into me, not to
mention that riding in a car was almost impossible. Thankfully, I had a wonderful
husband, daughter and family that stood by me and helped me through this time.
In November of 2005, Jeff and I decided that we needed to try something else.
The doctor's only gave me a 30% chance of a surgery helping me, and a 70%
chance of paralyzing me. That's when we decided to start looking for a Service
Dog for me. After a lot of research, Jeff and I discovered the fast growing
need for Assistance Dogs, the waiting lists and the costs. Since Jeff and I had
both been involved in the training of all kinds of dogs for the last 10 years, we
decided to go to the next level and learn to train a dog for me. So, we did our
research and decided to take classes to train our own dog. The first step was to
go to several Animal Shelters in Los Angeles, California to find a dog.
In June of 2006, we went to the Lancaster, California Animal Shelter and after
viewing and testing about 15 dogs, we found D'Artagnan. He is a golden
retriever/german shepherd mix. He was a mess, fox tails embedded in his fur,
matted, definitely needing a bath, his tail had been broken in two places, and he
was set for Euthanasia in two days. But he just felt right, and of course he
passed our initial tests and we now had my Service Dog in Training, D'Artagnan.
Within 3 months, D'Artagnan earned his Canine Good Citizenship through AKC
and three month's later passed his ADI Service Dog Public Access testing with
flying colors.
That is when PALS with PAWZ was established. We are passionate about training
rescued and donated dogs to assist the physically disabled in restoring some of
their physical and emotional freedoms; therefore enabling them to lead more
independent lives. Our goal is to Create a Loving Relationship between the
Assistance Dog and their Disabled partner; resulting in the enhancement of
freedom, security, independence and the enrichment of their quality of life.
Our dogs are initially selected from local animal shelters, rescue groups, and
other rescue sources. They are carefully evaluated prior to selection and only the
best of the best become candidates, graduate, and are certified. Please note that
PALS with Pawz' selection process is extensive. Although generous, please do not
try to donate your family pet to PALS with Pawz.
All of the Assistance Dogs go through obedience training, must pass the AKC
Canine Good Citizen testing; then go through extensive Assistance Training, and
finally pass the ADI Public Access Test. Most Assistance dogs will be able to
assist in more tasks than their human partner needs. Once fully trained, the dogs
are able to assist physically disabled individuals to accomplish daily tasks that
would otherwise be difficult or impossible. Each dog is customized to the
individual needs of the owner.
Some of the services that the dogs may be trained to perform include:
Our dogs are also trained to assist persons whether they are using a cane,walker, wheelchair, or a combination thereof. Perhaps one of the optimal benefits
a dog can provide to their disabled partner is their unconditional love and
devotion. Once the strong bond forms between the disabled handler-dog team,
the dog’s trust, devotion, and a desire to please will follow. And you have a team
for life.
Our interaction with our customers and their Assistance Dogs does not end after
the two week instructional class. PALS with Pawz stays in constant contact and will
help make any additional modifications needed. In addition, ALL
Service/Assistance/Therapy/Companion Dogs must renew their Canine Good
Citizen and if applicable ADI Public Access Testing every two (2) years. With NO
EXCEPTIONS. This keeps all dogs and their partners up to date, and allows PALS
with Pawz to continuously evaluate the progress of the team.
PALS with Pawz also visits the local schools in order to educate children on Dog
Safety, Promote awareness of the neglect and abuse of animals, demonstrate the
use of Service Dogs, and the benefits of Spay/Neuter programs. We are also
launching READING Pawz this fall, which is a program that utilizes our
Service/Assistance and Therapy Dogs to promote literacy in our schools.
Every dog that is rescued will not make it as a Service/Assistance or Therapy
Companion. Any dog that does not pass the qualifications and high standards
required to become a Certified Service/Assistance Dog is put up for Adoption.
These dogs are already house-trained, spay/neutered, have all their shots, know
their basic commands and most will have passed the Canine Good Citizen testing.
You can visit our PALS Adoption page to see if any are available.
The cost to train a service dog is approximately $18,000 to $25,000. This
expense represents 9 to 18 months training, housing, feeding, equipment, and
health related costs. All of our Service/Assistance Dogs are trained in a home
setting. They sleep, eat and live with their trainer. Because Private Insurance
and/or Medicare does not assist a person in obtaining a Service Dog; PALS with
Pawz is trying to keep the cost to the consumer affordable. We believe that
every Disabled Person that needs a Service Dog, should be able to have one.
Therefore, we rely on contributions, fundraisers, sponsors and grants to help
defer some of the costs.
PALS with Pawz Service Dogs Organization specializes in using positive
reinforcement to train its dogs. Our programs consists of Service Dog Training,
Therapy Dog Training, READING Pawz, PALS Educational Classes, and we also
hold private training classes. Pals with Pawz, Inc. is located in South Pittsburg,
Tennessee. You can reach them at 423-837-6688, www.PalswithPawz.org or
Christine@PALSwithPawz.org.
Accident. I ended up with spinal injuries that resulted in my being bed-ridden for
months. After seeing many doctors, I was told that I would be at the least
utilizing a cane or walker and eventually would need a wheelchair; I had lost the
feeling in my left leg from the waist down. I spent the next few months a
prisoner in my own home, only going out of the house to go to see yet another
doctor, or for small family functions, and only with my husband. By this time, I
felt helpless and isolated. Always afraid that if I was in a crowd I would
embarrass my self by falling, or someone would accidentally bump into me, not to
mention that riding in a car was almost impossible. Thankfully, I had a wonderful
husband, daughter and family that stood by me and helped me through this time.
In November of 2005, Jeff and I decided that we needed to try something else.
The doctor's only gave me a 30% chance of a surgery helping me, and a 70%
chance of paralyzing me. That's when we decided to start looking for a Service
Dog for me. After a lot of research, Jeff and I discovered the fast growing
need for Assistance Dogs, the waiting lists and the costs. Since Jeff and I had
both been involved in the training of all kinds of dogs for the last 10 years, we
decided to go to the next level and learn to train a dog for me. So, we did our
research and decided to take classes to train our own dog. The first step was to
go to several Animal Shelters in Los Angeles, California to find a dog.
In June of 2006, we went to the Lancaster, California Animal Shelter and after
viewing and testing about 15 dogs, we found D'Artagnan. He is a golden
retriever/german shepherd mix. He was a mess, fox tails embedded in his fur,
matted, definitely needing a bath, his tail had been broken in two places, and he
was set for Euthanasia in two days. But he just felt right, and of course he
passed our initial tests and we now had my Service Dog in Training, D'Artagnan.
Within 3 months, D'Artagnan earned his Canine Good Citizenship through AKC
and three month's later passed his ADI Service Dog Public Access testing with
flying colors.
That is when PALS with PAWZ was established. We are passionate about training
rescued and donated dogs to assist the physically disabled in restoring some of
their physical and emotional freedoms; therefore enabling them to lead more
independent lives. Our goal is to Create a Loving Relationship between the
Assistance Dog and their Disabled partner; resulting in the enhancement of
freedom, security, independence and the enrichment of their quality of life.
Our dogs are initially selected from local animal shelters, rescue groups, and
other rescue sources. They are carefully evaluated prior to selection and only the
best of the best become candidates, graduate, and are certified. Please note that
PALS with Pawz' selection process is extensive. Although generous, please do not
try to donate your family pet to PALS with Pawz.
All of the Assistance Dogs go through obedience training, must pass the AKC
Canine Good Citizen testing; then go through extensive Assistance Training, and
finally pass the ADI Public Access Test. Most Assistance dogs will be able to
assist in more tasks than their human partner needs. Once fully trained, the dogs
are able to assist physically disabled individuals to accomplish daily tasks that
would otherwise be difficult or impossible. Each dog is customized to the
individual needs of the owner.
Some of the services that the dogs may be trained to perform include:
 | Help partner transfer from wheelchair to bed, etc. |
| Pick up and retrieve items |
| Open and close doors and cabinets |
| Pull wheelchairs |
| Bracing to assist their partner to stand, walk, or sit down |
| Help with chores, such as laundry |
| Assist with taking shoes and socks off |
Our dogs are also trained to assist persons whether they are using a cane,
a dog can provide to their disabled partner is their unconditional love and
devotion. Once the strong bond forms between the disabled handler-dog team,
the dog’s trust, devotion, and a desire to please will follow. And you have a team
for life.
Our interaction with our customers and their Assistance Dogs does not end after
the two week instructional class. PALS with Pawz stays in constant contact and will
help make any additional modifications needed. In addition, ALL
Service/Assistance/Therapy/Companion Dogs must renew their Canine Good
Citizen and if applicable ADI Public Access Testing every two (2) years. With NO
EXCEPTIONS. This keeps all dogs and their partners up to date, and allows PALS
with Pawz to continuously evaluate the progress of the team.
PALS with Pawz also visits the local schools in order to educate children on Dog
Safety, Promote awareness of the neglect and abuse of animals, demonstrate the
use of Service Dogs, and the benefits of Spay/Neuter programs. We are also
launching READING Pawz this fall, which is a program that utilizes our
Service/Assistance and Therapy Dogs to promote literacy in our schools.
Every dog that is rescued will not make it as a Service/Assistance or Therapy
Companion. Any dog that does not pass the qualifications and high standards
required to become a Certified Service/Assistance Dog is put up for Adoption.
These dogs are already house-trained, spay/neutered, have all their shots, know
their basic commands and most will have passed the Canine Good Citizen testing.
You can visit our PALS Adoption page to see if any are available.
The cost to train a service dog is approximately $18,000 to $25,000. This
expense represents 9 to 18 months training, housing, feeding, equipment, and
health related costs. All of our Service/Assistance Dogs are trained in a home
setting. They sleep, eat and live with their trainer. Because Private Insurance
and/or Medicare does not assist a person in obtaining a Service Dog; PALS with
Pawz is trying to keep the cost to the consumer affordable. We believe that
every Disabled Person that needs a Service Dog, should be able to have one.
Therefore, we rely on contributions, fundraisers, sponsors and grants to help
defer some of the costs.
PALS with Pawz Service Dogs Organization specializes in using positive
reinforcement to train its dogs. Our programs consists of Service Dog Training,
Therapy Dog Training, READING Pawz, PALS Educational Classes, and we also
hold private training classes. Pals with Pawz, Inc. is located in South Pittsburg,
Tennessee. You can reach them at 423-837-6688, www.PalswithPawz.org or
Christine@PALSwithPawz.org.
About Us
| "Training Rescued & Donated Dogs as Autism/Mobility/Therapy Service Dog Teams" |
| PALS with Pawz, Inc. PO Box 387 South Pittsburg, TN 37380 |