Four legged friends bring independence

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) - Paws With A Cause trains assistance dogs nationally for people with disabilities and provides lifetime team support which encourages independence.

Paws With A Cause trains the following types of assistance dogs:

• Service dogs for a physical disability, debilitating chronic illness or neurological disorder
• Hearing dogs for the deaf or hard of hearing
• Seizure response dogs
• Combination dogs that help with service/hearing, service/seizure, hearing/seizure
• Service dogs for children with autism
• Social support dogs that serve as in-home only companions

There are a variety of ways that you can help support Paws With A Cause. The organization is always looking for families to raise future assistance dogs. Currently there are 80 puppies that need homes by the end of March. If you are interested contact Julie Thornington at jthorington@pawswithacause.org.

If you are looking to take in a newborn puppy you can apply to be a foster family (application here) . These families give Paws For A Cause pups a loving home until the age of 12 months. At that point they are then passed along to a training family.

You can also support Paws For A Cause through donations. The non-profit organization relies on gifts from the community to continue their programs. You can donate by calling 1-800-253-7297 or by mailing a check made payable to Paws With A Cause to 4646 South Division, Wayland MI 49348.