My Nonprofit Reviews

I first became aware of the Paws'itive Teams organization several years ago when the Adaptive Physical Education teacher at the school where I worked, brought a "facility dog" with her to the lessons she taught to students with special needs. I saw how the students adored the gentle labrador and tried harder to use their muscles and their communication skills to interact with "Higgins." I became involved with the organization myself two years ago when I retired. I wanted to find a way to stay involved with people and to "share" my dog with other people who might not have access to a dog in their lives.

I have been so impressed and appreciative of this amazing organization, run entirely by volunteers, which offers so much to the San Diego community. One facet of the program is training service dogs. After two years of intensive training these dogs are transitioned into the lives of individuals who have physical disabilities, enabling them to have the assistance of the dog to help with physical challenges, as well as to have the wonderful companionship of a loving dog.

Other programs within the organization include Personal Paws, or home visits to individuals who could benefit from interaction with a gentle friendly dog (with handler) in their lives. In addition, the organization has a Paws'itive Animal Assisted Therapy program in which dogs and handlers work to provide goal-directed therapy in programs such as schools with special needs children. This is the program with which I am most familiar. My dog and I participated in such a program and saw the benefits to the students, as well as the enjoyment the dogs and handlers received in working with the students and staff. We also participated in visits to a downtown program for women who were living in a sheltered situation while recovering from abusive backgrounds or drug addictions. Caring, positive interaction with therapy dogs and their handlers provided confidence and joy to these women.

Another important aspect of this organization is the excellent training and on-going in-services all volunteers are given, and all dog teams are tested annually. Safety is always of greatest importance. No volunteer is ever put into any type of uncomfortable situation or any situation for which they have not been well-trained.

This is definitely a life-changing organization and I can attest to the positive influence it has had on my life and the lives of others from both sides of the organization: those who are "helping" and those who are "being helped." The benefits definitely go both ways.

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