Tuesday, December 10, 2013

It's that time of year ...


It's that time of year to starting preparing for Paws & Effect's Winter Classic dog agility trial. 

Get your premium here. Download it, fill it out and you'll officially be registered to run your dog in the the funnest thing this side of the Mississippi. I kid you not.

Previous years have seen record low temperatures but it's always heated up once we get to running the brilliant NADAC courses. 

Don't miss out. You'll regret it. Sign up today.

Download Premium (word doc) or (PDF).

Monday, September 2, 2013

Battle Buddies — Breaking Barriers

Paws & Effect service dog, Honor, gives some love to his recipient, Wade. True battle buddies!


This picture — this love — is the reason we dedicate our lives to providing professionally-trained service dogs to deserving recipients.

Everyone deserves freedom. Sometimes the obstacles standing in the way of true freedom are unseen, often misunderstood. We aim to help break through those barriers, bringing people back into the light — back to living life.

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Paws & Effect - 2013 Organization of Character

Paws & Effect was named the 2013 Organization of Character at the Iowa Character Awards earlier this month! Many thanks to all who attended the ICAs and accepted the award with us. We're so honored to be able to tell our story!

 

For more information about Character Counts in Iowa, and the Six Pillars of Character, visit www.charactercountsiniowa.org.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Fall Festival - Paws & Effect Dog Agility Competition




It's that time of year to starting preparing for Paws & Effect's 
Fall Festival NADAC dog agility trial. 

Nothing compares to running the brilliantly fast and fun NADAC courses. 

Ready, set, let's run. 


Don't miss out. Sign up today.

Download Premium (word doc) or (PDF).

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Paws & Effect's Executive Director Interviews with Des Moines Radio Group


In honor of Armed Forces Day, Nicole Shumate, Executive Director of Paws & Effect, interviewed with Kate Garner, Public Affairs Director of the Des Moines Radio Group. Take time to listen to this important piece.

Service dog Traverse at the Des Moines Radio Group

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

American Humane Association, Hero Dog Awards Choose Paws & Effect as Charity Partner

Voting is now OPEN for the 2013 Hero Dog Awards. We are honored to be one of the 23 nationwide charity partners of the American Humane Association. We've earned that distinction thanks to our quality, innovative programs — like our Abilities Through Agility program at ChildServe.

We've been chosen by two nominees as their charity partner in the Therapy Dog category. If Dutchess or Patch win their category, Paws & Effect receives a donation of $1,500. If either wins the entire competition, we receive a $5,000 donation — funds that would help us to accomplish and expand our programming. You can vote once per day, per email address, per category. Pick one and VOTE!

















We're also extremely proud to have a Paws & Effect service dog and his recipient family in the running to win the Service Dog category.  Vote for Honor and his recipient family, Wade and Michelle Baker.

"Michelle Baker doesn't mince words. Their service dog Honor brought her husband back from war. Honor gave her children a father that could take part in their lives again. Honor literally saved their family."

Saturday, May 4, 2013

WHO-TV Covers Paws & Effect: "Dogs on Duty"

WHO-TV, our local NBC affiliate, came to us in March in pursuit of a story about service dogs and their respective journeysthe story of Paws & Effect. Reporter Jannay Towne took great care and consideration putting the piece together about our service dogs in-training, our puppy-raisers, and our recipients. "Dogs on Duty: Service Dogs for Combat Veterans", was the wonderful result. Enjoy.



Wednesday, April 3, 2013

A Service Dog has a Tremendous Impact.



Taken the first day Traverse was with his new family, this photo speaks volumes about the impact a service dog has on both its recipient and the people with whom they live. 

Words can not adequately express the relationship seen here, but it is visible moments like this that make all of our efforts worthwhile.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Look at that smile on Roo.



Roo has settled in nicely at the Iowa National Guard Armory in Iowa City. SGT Mcartor is Roo's current handler and has made certain that Roo receives the best care and attention. Roo has attended recruiting events at local high schools in addition to his general morale boosting within the hallways and offices at the armory.

We couldn't be more proud to support those who have served our country.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Dinner at Jethro's

The Spring 2013 placement class took a field trip to Jethro's BBQ in the Drake neighborhood where service dog access has never been denied. They welcomed us with open arms.

Our table had eight service dogs laying under the table and no one (the other patrons) knew the difference.

The service dogs performed exceptionally well. A testament to the socialization our puppy raisers provided them during their training.

Nice to see the relationships turning out so nice.




Sunday, March 24, 2013

A Morning at the Airport with Frontier Airlines


One important component to the service dog placement course is the recipients commitment to an integration back into the community.

It's not merely taking off your shoes, removing your jacket and emptying your pockets when traveling with a service dog, so, Paws & Effect sets up a training session at the airport. The lesson shows everyone how to handle a service dog while going through the TSA screening, boarding and exiting a plane.

Frontier Airlines and the TSA were gracious enough to allow, Paws & Effect and the recipients of their service dogs, to have secure access to the airport and one of Frontier Airlines jets.

The training was a great success.






Thanks to everyone who volunteered and participated in this training session.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Combat Veterans helped by Service Dogs



It's worth your time to listen.

Iowa Public Radio - River to River aired this story yesterday featuring an Iowa veteran who received "Honor" his companion, a graduate of the Paws & Effect's service dog program a year ago this month. 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

2013 Placement Course


March may bring the madness of the big basketball tournament but Paws & Effect goes beyond that by bringing together eight veterans with service dogs.

The journey of healing and reintegration begins today.

The veterans will get to know how to handle the dogs and have plenty of time to bond with their new companions over the next two weeks at Camp Dodge, Iowa.

They will also get to build a camaraderie with the placement volunteers and their puppy raisers.

We wish them all the very best.

We truly thank the puppy raisers and volunteers for their loyalty and commitment to the program. We know that over the past eighteen months the program was not without its ups and downs, but through and through these veterans now have an opportunity at a better life. Reflect on this moment and let it fill your hearts with the warmth of joy and accomplishment.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

We welcome the Military Installation Litter

With great honor and pride, we welcome the Military Installation litter to Paws & Effect.

The next couple years will be an endeavor of acclimation and service for these little guys.

Our hearts pour out positive energy for all their future challenges and to the commitment of all of our puppy raisers.





Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Paws & Effect Presents at Iowa's PRSA


"Nicole Shumate, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit organization Paws & Effect, will discuss the strategies behind their award winning public service campaign, “We Serve with Honor.”  The organization trains therapy and service dogs and places them with people who need them.
While developing their PSA media campaign Paws & Effect was focused on placing dogs with combat veterans in Iowa who have disabilities or who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.  The "We Serve With Honor" campaign won a 2010 Gold ADDY from the Des Moines-area AAF, 2010 Silver ADDY from District 9 of the AAF, and winner of the 2011 PRSA of Central Iowa PRIME Award in the Not for Profit category. The campaign was also entered into the 2010 National ADDY competition."

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Paws & Effect's "Allied Litter" send off celebration.



The Allied Litter's eighteen month deployment and training are complete. Today they, the service dogs and their handlers, gathered for a send off celebration.

These service dogs are turning about face and are now moving from basic training into active duty. 

Our hearts go out to the puppy raisers as they will now prepare their companions over the next week to be transferred to their new handler.  

Each of the handlers made an equal commitment of sacrifice without hesitation to provide the dogs with exposure to an energetic world. 

We thank you and wish the dogs all the best.

Military Dogs for Veterans

Working Dogs blog posted a short Q&A with the Executive Director of Paws & Effect.

Check it out here.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Presidents Day Interview with Mollie Cooney


KCCI's Mollie Cooney featured our Presidential litter of puppies in an interview on Presidents Day. 

A special thanks goes to Iowa Select for supporting this litter who will eventually give freedom back to our Veterans who served our country.

Click here to watch the complete interview.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Celebrity Sighting - Baconfest



A super special celebrity sighting at this years Bacon Festival in Des Moines.

Service dog Lincoln got a little bacon love and a photo op with the 2013 Bacon Queen, Kim Pfennebecker.

Monday, February 4, 2013

A finishing trip to the Big Apple

Service dogs Traverse, Bearing, and Ridge Line all made the journey to New York City this past weekend in the final step in their long process to become a service dog. They all hopped a cab, rode the subway, loaded a bus and made their way to Times Square. Enough sights, sounds and distractions to sway even the best show dogs from general obedience but that wasn't to be the case for these stoic guys.

We welcome them back and wish them well during the placement in March.





Saturday, January 19, 2013

Carnival of the Animals

Paws & Effect volunteer, Michelle, and her therapy dog Lizzie spent time with the kids at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines family series event - "Carnival of the Animals".

The kids got to listen to the stories while enjoying the presence of the therapy dogs. As you can see in the images, everyone enjoyed the interactions.



Look who's ready to trial.

My goodness, he's cute. Service dog Schuyler (pronounced Sky-Ler) is ready for Paws & Effect's 2013 Winter Classic NADAC dog agility trial.

He, Schuylur, had a couple "first" experiences. One with the barn cat and the other with the horses. Both experiences went as well.

We look forward to a great trial.

See you there.



Saturday, January 12, 2013

Magic at St Luke's - Cedar Rapids

We really never thought we'd ever fill our Pet Partner workshop which we set a general limit of 20 participants.

Well, we just taught a class of 28 individuals who are passionate about Animal Assisted Therapy.

Thanks to St. Luke's Hospital and Chris Montross for fostering and promoting such a positive relationship with the community.

This is a top-notch program and we are looking forward to teaching our next workshop.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Here to serve.

A man and his orders, a dog and his. Roo, a Paws & Effect facility dog is on orders to make smiles happen.

Sure looks like he's doing his job.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Get Comfortable Cadence.




Cadence is one of the nicest Pet Partner's to read with the kids at Catterell Elementary School in Des Moines.

She sure knows how to make reading comfortable for everyone.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

The most wonderful time of the year.

What could be more exciting then going shopping at Christmas time?

Only one thing comes to mind for us here at Paws & Effect, and that would be heading to the mall for service dog training!

Oh, the sites and sounds, the hustle and bustle, the chaos abound.

And for the most thrilling of ALL, the annual photo with Santa.



He's a good old chap for letting us take over and settle in for a few minutes.

Thanks to ONE and ALL who made it out for the training.

3 Dog Night

  


Evie Johnson, puppy raiser and Rotary Club member, brought The Rotary Club of Des Moines and Paws & Effect together for an evening event at Jasper Winery in Des Moines. 

The event showcased a presentation by Executive Director - Nicole Shumate and plenty of service dogs and puppies in training along with their handlers to meet and great those who braved the elements of the evening. 

Iowa's first snow storm loomed on the day of the event but
the spirirts were high, the fire was warm and the snow began to fall. 

It couldn't have been a more perfect evening out. 




Thank you to The Rotary Club of Des Moines, Iowa and
The Rotary Club of Des Moines Foundation for being a part of this great evening.

Magical Experience

Thanks to all those who attended this once in a lifetime gathering.



Paws & Effect's Executive Director - Nicole Shumate, brought together a little magic to celebrate the human-animal bond. 

To set the stage, 

War Horse is a Broadway show, movie, and book based on a horse that goes to war during WW I, and a young boy's quest to find his beloved companion who has been sold into service.

Several members of the War Horse cast of the Broadway show came out to Camp Dodge to read related stories and to entertain through song. And entertain, they did.

Thanks again to the cast of War Horse, we were delighted with what you brought to life that day.

Read a full story on the event at Red Bull Rising.

More images on Paws & Effect's Facebook page.