3 people found this review helpful
Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs (PawPADs)
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Featured Review
July 7, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
My son, Nicholas, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was 3 years old. He can do anything any other child can do but it is very scary to put your diabetic child to bed. Your child can go into a coma and never wake up if blood sugars are too high or too low. When I learned about Diabetic Alert Dogs, I contacted Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs. We met with Linda Ball and a couple dogs later, we met Kachina. Kachina is the most wonderful dog ever. She came to our home February 25th, 2012. We truly believe she was meant to be with our family. When she was placed with us, we found out our neighbor volunteers at PawPads. Our UPS delivery man knew of Kachina via John that volunteers at PawPads. At soccer, our YMCA referee had volunteered with PawPads. They all knew Kachina and told us that we were very lucky to have her. She has alerted us many times now and in many different ways. She nudges with her nose, she paws, she whines, and she sniffs like crazy. At the time of Nick's diagnosis, I thought that Nick would never be able to go to college or live on his own. We are so reassured that he can leave the house now. She is such a blessing and she just puts a smile on our faces every single day. What a gift!
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
November 15, 2012
I am the Director of Operations/Development here at PawPADs.
I want to share a little about our Volunteers, Donors, and Supporters, and Clients: the people that really make PawPADs successful and make a difference in so many lives.
As we all know from our own experiences with people, personal relationships can go a long way. These relationships increase our understanding of the people we work with, give us insight as to their motivations and capabilities, and develops mutual trust. Our “family” has gone far of their way to develop personal relationships with PawPADs, and we all share a joint vision of what we are and where we are headed. I hope you’ll share the vision too after reading our reviews.
Volunteers: many of our volunteers have been with us for months or years. Some came looking for a “one off” opportunity or a short term commitment and have become a family. Their “can-do, will-do” spirit is a valued attribute of Americans and sets a great example to all our neighbors. They have devoted thousands of hours…time off from work, weekends, mornings, evenings, holidays, day time…to caring for our service dogs, training them, and representing PawPADs in the public. They build and clean and laugh with each other and the dogs. Their commitment, teamwork, and enthusiasm energizes us!
Donors: The average cost of raising and training a service dog is between $20,000 and $25,000. Because of generous supporters like them, we're able to partner our service dogs with those who need them at minimal cost or for free. Their financial support provides the resources needed to team with our prison and school partners, veterans, and those with developmental and physical challenges. From individuals to foundations, families, organizations, and companies, their contributions in any amount plays a crucial role in getting the dogs from puppy to partner. It demonstrates yet another American quality: the spirit of generosity. Your generosity and good will inspires us!
Clients: Our clients’ lives are enriched and empowered by their partnership with skilled assistance dogs and diabetic alert dogs. Inmates, teachers, students, and veterans utilize the power of the human-canine bond as a therapeutic, educational, healing tool. We create powerful, life-enhancing experiences through working with dogs - as the very act of working with, being around and training these dogs can be therapeutic and life-altering in profound ways. Their confidence in PawPADs encourages us!
If not for all of the above, there would be no PawPADs. I sincerely hope that you, as a review reader, find what you are looking for in a nonprofit in PawPADs and want to become part of our family of Volunteers, Donors, Clients. Thanks, and Dog Bless You!
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of advisors?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
November 15, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
Almost 3 years ago I was looking to volunteer some of my time somewhere. It was then that I saw an article about PawPADs in our local paper. Since I have a love of dogs, I found it to be very interesting & they were looking for volunteers!! I contacted them, went to a volunteer meeting, & that's where it all started. Randy & Linda's enthusiasm is contagious!! You can see/feel it in the dogs, the other volunteers. Randy & Linda give 1000%. They have devoted themselves to train dogs to help other people, & this is what they do 7 days a week ... no days off. I know my life has been enriched. I'm typically at PawPADs 3 mornings a week. We have so much fun getting the dogs ready for their day. I also feel like I have an extended family, & that Randy or Linda would do anything to help me if I should ever need it. I feel that way with the other volunteers as well. I can't say enough good things about PawPADs & what Randy & Linda are doing!! Of course it's fun to be around the dogs, but volunteering for Randy & Linda is really fulfilling as well. They really appreciate everything everyone does & it shows!! I just couldn't have found a better place to volunteer!!
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 3, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
My initial contact with PawPADS began from just a love of dogs. I wasn't in a place where my life allowed me to have a dog so I thought being a PawPADS volunteer would give me a perfect "dog fix". Little did I know how much more this organization had to give. The passion that Linda, Randy and the rest of the staff and volunteers show is amazing! As a board member I have been able to watch from behind the scenes as PawPads has grown and touched lives not only in the local community but throught Minnesota and beyond. Watching the dogs work in their roles be it alerting to a blood sugar or opening a door always gives me to know what an amazing partner they will be for someone someday.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 1, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I have been touched by PawPADs personally and professionally. The impact I see these dogs have on the lives of those around me amazes me on a daily basis. Folks that come in to contact with these dogs are able to learn/strengthen skills of caring, compassion, humanity, patience, and many other variables that tend to erode over time with this specific subset of the population. Interactions with these dogs in training are soothing to the mind, body and soul. They inspire joy, warmth and growth for their handlers and everyone involved with the development of a serve dog to be.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
A lot
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
October 18, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
PAWPads staff and volunteers are awesome and fun to be around. My intention was to volunteer for roughly 3-6 months. But when I started getting to know Linda, Randy, and also the service dogs I realize that this is something I want to do for a very long time. I've been volunteering for over 2 years and will continue to do so for many more years.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
October 18, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
I cannot find words to adequately express how amazing PawPADS is as an organization. The various programs touch so many people's lives. I have diabetes and have experienced the dogs-in-training, working, receiving 'alerts' 20 minutes before my low blood sugar registers on my glucometer. This is EXCITING. Linda and Randy are welcoming, appreciative and really care about people and the puppies/dogs (all creatures). Their positive approach to life, their organization and training is contagious.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
October 17, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
PawPads has been a huge part of my life recently! The dogs are so wonderful, but even more wonderful are Randy and Linda who run the day-to-day operations. The positive attitude, encouragement, and fabulous pups that we get by interacting with this organization has really enriched my life and that of my family. We are super lucky to get to contribute to shaping the lives of the dogs and those of future people in need through this organization. I'm also noticing that I say "yes! thank you!" a lot more! :)
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
October 17, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
My husband and I have been involved with PawPads since their beginning in Minnesota. We have seen this organization grow and develop programs that are helping so many people in the community. We are proud donors and feel blessed to support such an outstanding organization.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
October 17, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
AS the MN ESA (Epsilon Sigma Alpha) State Philanthropic Chair for PawPADs two years running, I can say that I LOVE this amazing organization! The phrase, "To utilize the power of the human-canine bond as a therapeutic, educational, healing tool" resonates with me immensely. I have seen how a person is impacted when matched up with a service dog trained by this organization and the impact is immeasurable! Their prison service dog training program is a Godsend!
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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Your confidence in PawPADs encourages us! Your enthusiasm energizes us! With Kachina by your family's side, you all do an amazing job representing PawPADs in the public - a true compliment for Kachina and your family. Your story inspires and gives confidence to those families facing the challenges of managing diabetes and the health of their chidren. Thank you.