If the applicant is younger than PAWS’ minimum age, visit for a list of other ADI programs that may train for younger children.
Live in an area serviced by a PAWS Field Rep (determined upon application). Have no other dog in the home (can have other animals). Actively improve their quality of life and pursue independence with their Assistance Dog. Be able to meet the emotional, physical and financial needs of the Assistance Dog. Be able to independently command and handle their Assistance Dog. Be physically and cognitively capable of participating in the training process, up to one hour a day. If the dog is also trained for hearing tasks, an individual must have a minimum of moderate to severe bilateral hearing loss. If the dog is also trained for seizure tasks, an individual must have a minimum of one seizure per month. Have a physical disability, debilitating chronic illness or neurological disorder affecting one or more limbs. To be eligible for a PAWS Service Dog, an individual must: It’s not you depending on a dog it’s you and the dog working together as a team, even if it’s doing one big thing to make your life easier. I can function without MAUI, I just don’t want to. When I drop something now, it’s no big deal.”Īshley’s advice to someone considering an Assistance Dog: “Don’t think you’re not disabled enough for a PAWS Dog. She has saved me from that feeling of desperation. Ashley says the biggest thing MAUI does is, “pick something up. I was excited when I got MAUI because I knew I would never have to ask somebody to pick up my mittens again!”Įvery day MAUI helps Ashley get in and out of bed, open a door or refrigerator, and pull off her clothing. It just gave them another reason to view people with disabilities as vulnerable and needy.” Ashley added, “There were many experiences like that. “I really hated having to be in a situation where I had to interrupt someone to help me. Whenever she dropped a textbook, keys, phone or mittens, she had to ask someone to pick it up for her. My parents supported me, understanding this was something I wanted to do.”Īshley made it through a challenging freshman year while she waited for a PAWS Service Dog. When I dropped something, I couldn’t pick it up because my spinal cord is fused. “I was nervous about going to college and living on campus because my independence was limited. “I told my parents this is something I need to do for myself,” Ashley said. So she decided to apply for a PAWS Service Dog. At home, just getting dressed took 45 minutes and drained her energy. Ashley always planned to go to college after high school, but didn’t feel anywhere close to being able to take care of herself while there. 
And she has a PAWS Service Dog with her.Īt 18 months old, Ashley was diagnosed with Dejerine-Sottas syndrome, a disease that causes loss of sensation and muscle mass and results in weakness of her limbs.
Tetris syndrome full#
She lives on campus so she can get the full college experience.
Her hope is to work with refugees and immigrants, teach English as a second language or work with students studying abroad at a university’s international center. When I drop something now, it’s no big deal.”Īshley is studying International Relations with a minor in Middle-Eastern Studies at Grand Valley State University. “MAUI has saved me from that feeling of desperation. Would I be able to navigate everyday life without placing a marker first? Could I find sleep without setting a place on the map? But where the hell is sleep on a map!? Finishing The Saboteur proved to be much less difficult an accomplishment than beating Mario, but its conclusion allowed me to shrug off a massive weight and return to life once more.Give now to support an Assistance Dog Team
The dots indicating the structures on the map seemed to go on forever, and every time I closed my eyes at night, I could only think about setting custom waypoints. I recall attempting to destroy every structure in Electronic Arts' recent open-world adventure, The Saboteur. But I can’t say that I’ve gotten over the Tetris effect. would be conquered, and peace would be brought to the world. Oh well….Įventually, the Game Boy would emerge, Mario Bros. My brother mourned the loss of the handheld. While the term “stress” was beyond my vocabulary at the time, I was certainly getting stressed out…over Mario. I finally buried the Game Boy in the couch cushions because I could no longer play.
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