Who we are

There has been increasing awareness, over the last fifteen years, of how canine assisted activities and therapy might be utilized to improve the quality of life, as well as the treatment outcomes, for individuals in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.

Animal assisted therapy is the deliberate and systematic use of puppies to help normalize situations, socializing, calming, and motivating their caregivers. Training a puppy for special service work gives the raiser a goal, purpose and the opportunity to achieve success.

Our goal at Pawsitive Links is to provide an opportunity for our service dogs to improve the quality of life for both the puppy raisers and those who receive the trained dogs. Puppy raisers in our program learn what it means to give of one’s self and to contribute to society rather than take from it.

To be entrusted with a life and the opportunity to pay it forward, perhaps for the first time in their lives, means setting and achieving a worthy goal. At the end of 12 to 14 months of love, dedication and training these devoted caregivers “Pay it Forward”, by giving the puppy over to a autistic or disabled child, war veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

These wonder puppies will be trained to meet specific needs for specific individuals. Dogs are particularly well suited to this work because of their long history of living and working with humans, and the ease with which we are able to train them.

Caregivers must meet particular criteria before being chosen for the puppy program. Members of Pawsitive Links and designated representatives do this selection. In order to qualify for consideration to be part of the puppy program, the resident/puppy raiser must be participating and engaged in their program requirements (either educational, vocational or employment programs) and must be considered both reliable and trustworthy.

Training requirements for participation in the puppy program include; Canine First Aid and Puppy Health Protocols. A Canine Behavior course will be on going with Pawsitive Links staff administering all courses. Ongoing mini courses are offered as interest and need dictate. Puppy raisers must always put the needs of the puppy before his or her own, must be able to work effectively as a member of a team and must be able to give and receive criticism in a constructive manner.

Some populations that have benefited from canine assisted activities and therapy include: prison inmates, including juvenile delinquents, special education students, including autistic children; and both acute care and rehab hospital patiens nursing home patients, shelter residents, hospice clients and their families. We know the possibilities are endless and the need is great.