Paws With A Cause Interview

#200 Great.com Talks With... Paws With A Cause

Connections between humans and dogs have been cultivated and nourished for as far as our memories stretch. Canines are instinctive, intelligent and caring beings which, with the right guidance and training, can also significantly improve the lives of people living with disabilities. In this episode, we spoke with Cara Conway from Paws With A Cause (PAWS) about their life-changing work pairing free-of-charge Assistance Dogs with those in need. 

Not Just Fluffy Friends: The Dogs that Can Save People’s Lives

The training and upbringing of Assistance Dogs is no short affair. In fact, they begin their training at around eight weeks old and the whole process takes between two and three years. PAWS volunteers help to introduce the dogs to basic obedience and socialization, as well as including the dogs in their daily routine - so that they become comfortable in a variety of settings and situations. At 12-14 months old they begin their advanced training, where PAWS will assess the dog’s health, temperament and decide which direction their career path will take. 

There are four potential routes for the fully trained Assistance Dogs: Service Dogs for people living with disabilities or limited mobility, Hearing Dogs for those with impaired hearing, Service Dogs for children with Autism, and lastly Seizure-Response Dogs for people with Epilepsy. Seizure-Response Dogs are trained to notice vital signs of seizures, as well as the ability to retrieve a medical device and place it on the person’s heart in order to stop their seizure.

Conway explains how the Assistance Dogs allow people to live fuller lives: removing the time it takes them to carry out mundane tasks and thus allowing them to engage in their own chosen, joyful activities. In a nutshell, the Assistance Dogs allow people a safer, more relaxing life of independence and dignity. 

Listen to the whole interview to find out how you could support our furry friends to change people’s lives. You can also raise your paws to become a PAWS volunteer and explore the different ways you can contribute and donate to Paws With A Cause. PAWS’ dog volunteers are one of the first—and crucial—steps in providing custom-trained Assistance Dogs to those in need. 

Want to learn more about Paws With A Cause? You can subscribe to their newsletter, checkout their news section and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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