Abilities through Agility

Paws & Effect got a feature article in the January – February 2012 issue of Bark Magazine.

We are thrilled to have our Abilities through Agility program at ChildServe highlighted.

Our volunteers have dedicated nearly 5 years to getting the program to this point. It is amazing what an impact they have had on the children we have had the pleasure to work with (really it's all about the dogs).

We are also extremely excited to see the progress the kids have made over the years.

Click here to read the article.

Making Des Moines More Accessible, One School At A Time

Holiday Training at Jordan Creek

Paws & Effect mobbed Santa for a photo during a training session at Jordan Creek Mall. We had so many dogs in attendence Santa's little helpers couldn't all fit all of them into one picture.

Santa was a good sport about the whole event and he even whispered to me that the dogs were better behaved than most of the kids and that the only thing the dogs wanted was to please their handlers! (that'll be our little secret)

The dogs practiced traversing escalators, being lifted and carried on elevators and walking through a crowded shopping mall.

Thank you to all the puppy raisers that have made 2011 a fantastically successful year.

New Thinking, New Possibilities

Anthem, Valor and Hero with their respective handlers in Times Square.

Greetings from Paws & Effect Moose!

Thanks, Steve, for giving us a glimpse of Moose at American Humane's annual appreciation dinner, A Round of Apaws.

Paws & Effect contributes to the 25th Anniversary of the ACAA!

Paws & Effect has made a concentrated effort to promote accessibility for service dogs. Pretty neat when the Senior Trial Attorney for the US DOT catches a Paws & Effect video and wants to utilize it for an accessibility celebration in Washington DC!

Dear Ms. Shumate:

I am writing from the United States Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings (http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/). In addition to enforcing various consumer rights laws, my office is responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to non-discrimination in air travel on the basis of disability. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), passed in 1986 (before the ADA), prohibits airlines from discriminating against air travelers on the basis of disability. My office enforces the provisions of the ACAA and its implementing regulation, 14 CFR Part 382. Part 382 is a comprehensive regulatory regime ensuring access to air travel for persons with disabilities. A key part of Part 382 is the requirement that air carriers accommodate individuals who use service animals by allowing their service animals in the cabin of the aircraft.

This year the 25^th anniversary of the ACAA, and the DOT is holding a celebration on November 9^th. Prior the celebration, we would like to show videos related to aircraft accessibility. We found your videos on You Tube where you train animals at the Des Moines Airport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9CwDc-VQhE&feature=related) and would like to show the videos prior to the celebration as the crowd is gathering. It will not be distributed in any other manner or offered for any type of compensation. It will only be showed several times during a 30 minute time frame while attendees are preparing for the meeting. May we use your videos?

If you or anyone from your organization would be interested in attending the celebration, the invitation is below. Please feel free to forward the email to any other person you feel may be interested in attending.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

Barbara M. Marrin

Senior Trial Attorney

United States Department of Transportation

Office of General Counsel

Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings

Office # W96-466

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20590

(202) 366-9359 (phone)

(202) 366-7152 (facsimile)

Congratulations Paws & Effect!

Paws & Effect was selected by the American Humane Association as a Charity Partner for the 2011 Hero Dog Awards. Beating out several other very worthy organizations, we received a $5,000 grant to further our crisis response work. Not only is the grant exciting, but the recognition of our efforts, the quality of the work we do and the ongoing support from the national community speaks volumes.

The red carpet, star studded awards ceremony that took place in Hollywood will air on television November 11 on the Hallmark Channel.

Hope you enjoy it!

Premieres
November 11, 2011
on Hallmark Channel

At the Grocery

You'll never know who you'll run into at the grocery store.

Jake and Velo (Paws & Effect service dogs)

Nose to Nose

The bond between animal and man is evident (science studies not included).

Connor and Bear enjoying quality time together.

Land Navigation - Service Puppy Team

Images of the Land Navigation team of puppies. Each of their names corresponds to the military's land navigation vocabulary. 

All the puppies been placed with puppy raisers and they are now on their way to being service dogs. 

 Nothing better than a pool of puppies.

Plenty of activity to keep the puppies distracted.

I can see everything from here. 

It was a long day for Hilltop.

Pace. Playing in the leaves. Day 2.

Pet Partner Evaluations = Successful weekend

Nothing gives as much (unconditional) love as does an animal does. Congratulations to Kim and Hope.

Paws & Effect hosted Pet Partner evaluations for our animal assisted therapy programs. We had every team pass the tests.

Welcome Land Navigators!

A Successful First Charity Walk!

THANK YOU to Grace Rice for organizing our first benefit walk!  Almost $2,500 was raised to offset the costs associated with acquiring the Land Navigation Litter.  Look for them in a community near you after October 14!

Thank you Quaker Oats, Pepsico and Cap'n Crunch

With support from Pepsico's Enable and Valor groups, more than $3,100 was raised at the Cedar Rapids Farmer's Market. We can't express how much we appreciate their efforts!

And just for good measure....Michelle and Valor!

Michelle and Valor up the ante....

Puppy Raiser Throw Down

This video demonstrates one of the ways in which dogs are taught to put their paws in an exact location to "stack." When a dog stacks, they hold themselves rigid so that a person who is mobility impaired can place one hand between the dog's shoulders to help push themselves into a standing position.

Way to go Michelle and Valor! This is, in fact, a throw down!

You're welcome!

Happy Birthday to the Military Litter

One year ago the Paws & Effect Military Litter began a journey to being great service dogs. They have all grown up and they are learning the ways of working. We celebrated their first birthday by hosting a party at the Gold Star Museum at Camp Dodge, Iowa. We had nearly all the service dogs present for the unveiling of the all new public service announcements and the 6 minute puppy raiser documentary.

Paws & Effect was also surprised with a $2,000.00 donation from the Integer Group in Denver. During their performance party this year they auctioned off t-shirts to raise money for Paws & Effect. We truly appreciate the thoughts and the donation, it will be used wisely. And we truly were shocked to see someone from Denver show up at the party with a HUGE check.

Thank you to one and all!

All puppy raisers got a piece of the cake.

You're Invited!

As seen on WHO TV (13)

Paws & Effect was included in the WHOTV story about the Iowa soldiers coming home. Our service dog Tag and Paws & Effect are featured at 3:50 into the story.

The other end of the leash.

Thanks, SSG Raymond, for making Tag accessible to so many!

A friendly presence at Fort McCoy!

The Iowa National Guard is in the process of bringing home their Soldiers from Afghanistan. Tag's been fortunate to be part of their redeployment, greeting them with tail wags and enthusiasm. We're looking forward to sharing more photos and stories as they become available.

Rob Bolin - American Idol Contestant

Rob Bolin - American Idol contestant headlined the benefit concert for Paws & Effect. Special thanks goes out to the concert promoter, Steve Sutton for putting together a fantastic time, to the American Legion Riders, to Darren Price for organizing the volunteers, and to the volunteers and puppy raisers.

Steve Sutton, Dawn Janssen, Nicole Shumate, and Rob Bolin

American Legion Riders volunteer through the weekends events. 

Rob Bolin - talking about Paws & Effect

MC Darren Price giving credits to our volunteers.

Rob Bolin stayed to sign autographs.

Times-Republican Marshalltown, Iowa

Click here for a PDF of the article.

Benefit Concert for Paws & Effect

Rob Bolin, American Idol contestant, will be the headliner for a fundraising concert.

July 4, 2011 - 7:00 PM
Nelson Park, Slater Iowa.



Paws & Effect will be the recipient of the contributions.

A night at the Barnstormers

Paws & Effect service dogs and puppy raisers were invited to attend the Barnstormers game on Saturday night. In the spot light were Valor, Anthem, Archer, Tag, Jake and Ryder (the service dogs). 

They, the service dogs and their puppy raisers, took the field at half-time and were given the spotlight to the applause by the AFL's Barnstorming fans. It was quite an honor to be a part of the show on the same evening they were giving props to the National Guard for all their service to our country.

A week well spent!

We were able to attend the Muster at the Community Based Warrior Transition Unit at Rock Island Arsenal this past week and what a week it was!  We are very much looking forward to returning in August.

Benefit Ride

American Legion Riders are hosting a benefit ride for Paws & Effect July 9, 2011.
Sounds like a GREAT ride or drive which ever you prefer.

Click here for more information.

Thank you for leading.

For sharing, believing, inspiring and caring. So much is possible. Diana, the world is immeasurably better because of you.

It's fair to say that we're a well supported organization.

Thanks, Sherpa!

It's been a topic of discussion several times, the fact that there are facility dogs in Afghanistan, supporting our troops. I guess one has to travel all the way to Bagram to get the low down!

Read about it here.

Chances Dances

What a wonderful weekend of dog agility. Paws & Effects 'Spring Fling' was a nearly perfect weekend of weather, running and awards.

Chances Dances shows the delicate balance between dog and handler while working from a distance.

Familiar faces!

Happy Birthday, Roo!

We don't get to see him too often as he's enjoying New Orleans with his raiser, Alexa.  It is always an extra special treat to get photos of Roo.  Here he is, already one!  

Great times at the Iowa Speedway! $1,700 raised!

Who's got your back?

2011 Telly Awards

Judging has been completed for the 32nd Annual Telly Awards submissions and Paws & Effect's public service announcements received two bronze awards.

One for the PSA video campaign and another one for copy writing. 

We couldn't be more honored to receive this acknowledgment from the Silver Telly Council for the excellent work that Paws & Effect presented.

Special thanks goes out to Todd Cerveris and Kim Spurlock for producing these very moving PSA's.

We also have to thank the cast, crew and volunteers for the four days of filming that led to these great TV spots with a spectacular message. Click on the "Public Service Announcement" tab to view these for yourself.