Celebrate the Human Animal Bond

With War Horse cast members on December 15 at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum.  Free to military members and their families.

Tag Was Featured in the Globe Gazette!

MASON CITY — Tag checked out those sitting in the audience and he made eye contact with one.

You could almost see the light go on in his eyes: It was time to meet the group.

One by one, Tag, a 4-year-old yellow Labrador, greeted each person — sniffing hands, looking into faces — attending the talk by his owner, Staff Sgt. Dianne Raymond of the Iowa Army National Guard, also a volunteer for the Des Moines-based group, Paws and Effect.

Raymond was on hand to talk about the program’s efforts at the annual Fall Festival Fundraiser for the Humane Society of North Iowa held Sunday at the Mason City National Guard Armory.

Raymond is a puppy-raiser for the program and the owner of Tag, who came through the program. Tag at one time was a service dog for a man with multiple sclerosis but had to withdraw when he showed signs of claustrophobia.

Today, Tag is a “facility dog” who spends his days with Raymond at her job as Medical Services Board non-commissioned officer at Camp Dodge in Johnston. Tag is also a bit of a publicity hound — literally — for the organization.

The group trains leader dogs largely for the military veterans coping with permanent disabilities, as well as the hearing-impaired and autistic children.

After they are raised to 18 months, dogs spend two weeks with a handler before being matched with a veteran, she said.

“It’s interesting to see all those dogs pick their owners — they go right to a veteran and sit down right in front of them,” she said.

Tag is so in tune with Raymond, a diabetic, that he can sense when her blood sugar is dropping.

“He begins to run in circles, every time,” she said. “It was awhile before even I knew what he was doing.”

The dogs provide a valuable service, from opening doors and retrieving items to “putting themselves between their master and danger,” she said.

Fall Festival Dog Agility - 2012

A trip to the big city.

Paws & Effect service dogs are vetted with a trip to the Big Apple. Our puppy raisers and their dogs travel New York City and experience the sights and sounds of a big city, public transportation and civil aviation all in one round trip.

We applaud Ava, Sabre, and Pace for all they have done and will do to "Serve with Honor".

All personal items must be stowed under the seat in front of you.

No one said keep your nose clear of the isle.

Putting a smile on the faces of those that are serving our country with honor.

Catching a ride on the subway.

Quarker - Paws & Effect Fundraiser

Thank you Quaker for fundraising for Paws & Effect! We appreciate your efforts and those that benefit from our programs will be extremely grateful.

Your Valor and Enable volunteers have made a tremendous difference.

PS - I can't stop eating the Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Popcorn.

Fall Festival dog agility.

We all new it would be a great weekend of dog agility being held at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa. The weather was spectacular and the military was hard at work.

Our competition was honored with the salute of gun fire and adorned with the sounds of black hawk helicopters in flight.

 To all that competed, we agreed that it truly was an honor to be amongst our military and all those that have served us and protected our FREEDOM.

Thanks to our volunteers and participants alike. We thank you for a successful weekend!

Work / Play Balance (office antics)

Archer was a working dog all week long but that didn't stop the rest of us from our typical advertising-agency-office-antics.

Thought I would share this photo with you. Nothing makes us laugh like a mustached dog.

Glad I could help, oh, and Archer too.

While Archer's* puppy raisers were out of town I made sure he was with me everywhere and did everything that I did (he didn't do everything I did but he did go everywhere with me).

During the week I found that a friend of mine was having some troubles with her twins. They were scared to the dickens (not sure what that really means but they were freaked out) by dogs. They'd scream and melt down when they would be in close proximity.

I had a thought and it involved a trip to the ice cream store (a huge big deal for me) but it was neutral ground for the twins.

Needless to say Archer was the perfect dog for the job.

Check out their story here.

*Archer is a Paws & Effect service dog

What does it mean?

A couple weeks ago I had the unique opportunity to work with one of our service dogs while one of our puppy raisers was out of town. Archer got to go to work with me and I got to go to work with Archer.

He had a positive impact on my day and gave the same positive spin to some of my officemates.

Here is what they had to say about having Archer around the office.

 Archer is a great companion because he is mellow but affectionate.  He relieves stress because of his demeanor and good behavior. I think it is clear that Archer is happiest with a single owner who can spend lots of time with the dog. - Adam Faircloth

 Having Archer in the office was a huge treat for me. I grew up with dogs, but I don't have the time/money/space to have one of my own now, so it was really nice to be able to take Archer and hang out with him while I worked, and to see him walking around the office with his other new friends. I also think having him here was great for morale because he brought a smile to everyone's face. He brought my stress level down a notch or two, for sure! - Megan Lowe

 It was a very calming effect. Anytime I hung out with him he calmed me down, got me in relaxation mode which helps the ideas flow and made it easier to work. It also upped the fun and happiness levels. - Brian Hanson

Animals do have an impact on our world in so many positive ways.

Thanks Archer.

Admirable Service

While it's not a feature article it is still a plug for service dogs of all kinds. Midwest Living magazine was running an article on service dogs and needed some photography to enhance the story. The magazine reached out to one of this countries only service dog photographers, Steve Hirsch, in order to secure an image to run in the magazine. Steve have donated a great deal of photography time to Paws & Effect and we are so proud that his shot of Tag (short name for Partager - French word that means 'To share') made the cut.

Please take the time to take a look at Steve's photography. Quite amazing. Thanks Steve! and Thanks to Tag for taking time out of his service dog work to pose for the camera.

A service dog named Tag.