Help us make anything "pawsable"

Dogs have carried the well-earned title as man’s best friend for centuries. Aside from providing a fur ever friend, dogs can also provide assistance in many forms through therapy and service work. Dogs are lovable, loyal, and have the ability to provide the gift of independence to their handler. These specially trained canines aid in many different daily tasks to serve and assist those with physical disabilities or stabilize, comfort, and uplift those with mental disabilities.   

Fully trained service dogs are such a valuable form of medical equipment, that they typically cost thousands of dollars. Training an assistance dog can take years of work, around the clock to mold the perfect canine citizen to fulfill the needs of their family. They not only have to master their commands, but be well socialized with other dogs and people. "Anything is Pawsable, Inc" aspires to make trained service and therapy dogs more accessible to those who would benefit from their companionship, but cannot afford the overwhelming cost associated with an assistance dog. We raise and train dogs starting as puppies to assist individuals with disabilities, and overall improve their handler’s quality of life.

Basic manners are the first thing we start training each of our dogs, we also expose them to loud noises, different people, and so many dogs to ensure proper socialization. We work towards getting our future service puppies to pass their Canine Good Citizens Test, which is the gold standard for good behavior in dogs. We are CGC evaluators here at K9to5 and take studying and perfecting animal behavior very seriously. Our staff has years of experience working with and training dogs of all breeds and personalities. Afterwards, the training for each individual service dog to be is catered to what the family is looking for. 

Donations and funds raised will make it "pawsable" for us to raise, train, and donate fully trained service dogs and therapy dogs to those who cannot afford the overwhelming expense of an assistance animal. Our dedicated staff devote all of their time to molding these dogs into well rounded canine citizens who perform tasks based on their family's specific needs. During their time with us we must provide them with proper nutrition, vetting (vaccinations, wormer, accidental, flea and tick), equipment (collars, leashes, vests, treats, kennels), and other costly factors associated with raising a puppy, making every donation crucial. "Anything is Pawsable, Inc." is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.  

Below is a list of a few common reasons why assistance dogs are needed:

• PTSD
• Stress & Anxiety Disorders
• Physical Disabilities
• Mental Disabilities

  Different tasks that service dogs can be trained to do are things such as:

• Retrieval - retrieval can be taught for many different objects, for so many different reasons. whether it be fetching a phone to call for help, bringing clothing, mobility aids (canes, walkers, wheelchairs), food / drinks, or other items to someone who is unable to physically get them for themselves, or retrieving emergency medication during medical emergencies, service dogs can be a great help. 
• Alert -  dogs can be trained to alert their owner to physiological or psychologic changes such as high / low blood pressure, seizures, panic attacks, dissociation, syncope episodes, etc. service dogs can also alert their handler to noises including other people calling / crying, alarms, doorbells / knocking, ringing phones, and cars. they can also alert their owners to take their medication, when people are approaching in public places, intruders, allergens, and many routine tasks that some people may forget.
• Deep Pressure Therapy - this is a dog using their body weight to ease psychiatric stress, acting as a sort of weighted blanket. this service relaxes the owner and re-engages them with their surroundings during panic attacks, depressive episodes, flashbacks, etc. dogs can be trained to recognize the signs, or learn a command word to trigger their reaction to their handler. Similar to DPT would be tactile simulation via nudging or licking to revert handlers attention to the dog rather than the issue at hand. 
• Behavior Interruption  - another common task that service dogs can offer to assist their handler is to interrupt self destructive or negative behavior. these are actions including crying, dissociation, flashbacks, self harm, panic / anxiety attacks, incessant scratching or skin picking. 
• Getting Help - there are many ways assistance dogs can be trained to get help. they can be taught to alert by barking, nudging, circling, ringing bells, etc. they can be trained to seek a certain person, stranger, or phone for emergency help. 
• Miscellaneous Tasks 
  • Opening / Closing Doors, Drawers, Refrigerators, Dishwashers, Cabinets by pushing buttons or pulling a tug
  • Turning Lights On / Off
  • Helping to Remove Clothing
  • Blocking Handler from Crowds
  • Carrying Items
    

We are beginning to breed and raise our own puppies at K9to5 in our "Pawsatively Perfect Poodles and Doodles" Program. All three of our current dogs for this program have fantastic temperaments for service work, which will help guarantee success from their puppies in the future. 

Janet Keenan:  "We are so overwhelmed by the generosity of this gift! Tucker will be Abby’s best friend and will be loved every day of his life."

Jill Applebee: "Sami came home with me in November and has changed my life (and that of others) in such a positive way! I work in a Middle School in an at-risk community where Sami brightens the day of many of our students. We make our rounds each morning and afternoon where she is (literally) welcomed with open arms, lots of petting, and much adoration. Although Sami is still a big shy with some people, she is acclimating to her new environment every day. She has a great set-up in my office and gets lots of attention (and treats) from my co-workers. Sami brings so much joy to my life! She is my perfect companion. She's intelligent and independent, but loves to cuddle often. She also loves to play with her brother, Julian (the cat), and her nephew and nieces, Bogie, Birdie, and Nala. Best of all, she loves to go for walks, which is something that I was seriously lacking before she came into my life. I am so blessed to have her as part of my family!"