Agency Details:

Paws With A Cause trains Assistance Dogs nationally for people with disabilities and provides lifetime team support which encourages independence. PAWS promotes awareness through education.

Description:
Paws With A Cause provides people with disabilities the opportunity to increase their independence through the partnership with an individually trained Assistance Dog. Assistance Dogs are provided at no cost to our clients. Service Dogs (including Seizure Response Dogs) are available to individuals at least 14 years of age and Hearing Dogs to individuals over 18. PAWS also provides a limited number of Social Support Dogs to individuals who may not require a fully certified Assistance Dog but may benefit from the emotional support and companionship of a well trained dog. A pilot program of Service/Guide Dogs began in 2006 offering individuals with both physical and visual disabilities the opportunity to work with a dually trained dog.

Paws With A Cause also provides educational presentations to the public regarding disability awareness and the use of, and legal access rights of Assistance Dog teams.

History:
Paws With A Cause began in 1979 as "Ears for the Deaf", training Hearing Dogs. Several years later, as result of funding received through local United Ways, including Heart of West Michigan, Ears for the Deaf expanded its services to include Service Dogs, and changing its name to Paws With A Cause.

PAWS has placed more than 2,100 Assistance Dogs throughout the country in over 28 years and offers ongoing support for our clients through our network of local Field Representatives.

Contact people:

Portasue Andary, Director Of Administration, (phone), (email) Judy Miller, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Julie Thorington, Foster Puppy Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Address:

4646 South Division Wayland, MI 49348 (See a map)

Directions:

From East of Grand Rapids: Take I-96 West, toward Lansing/Grand Rapids. Exit at M-6 West. Take M-6 West to US 131 South to 100th Street/Caledonia exit (Exit 72). Turn left after exiting highway and go to Division Avenue (four way stop). Turn right and follow Division for 1.7 miles. PAWS Headquarters is on the right. From North of Grand Rapids: Take US 131 South toward Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo. Go through Grand Rapids towards Kalamazoo. Exit at 100th Street/Caledonia (Exit 72). Turn left after exiting highway and go to Division Avenue (four way stop). Turn right and follow Division for 1.7 miles. PAWS Headquarters is on the right. From South of Grand Rapids: Take US 131 North towards Grand Rapids. Exit at 100th Street/Caledonia (Exit 72). Turn right (east) after exiting highway, and go to Division Avenue (four way stop). Turn right and follow Division for 1.7 miles. PAWS Headquarters is on the right. From West of Grand Rapids: Take I-94 East to US 131 North. Follow 131 to 100th Street/Caledonia (Exit 72). Turn right after exiting highway, and go to Division Avenue (four way stop). Turn right and follow Division for 1.7 miles. PAWS Headquarters is on the right.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: N/A   Nearest Bus Stop: 68th Street / Division, 20 minute walk