About Paws & Think

Paws and Think, Inc. is a values-driven 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in October of 2001.

  • We serve at-risk youths, at-risk canines, and children and adults with disabilities/special needs in central Indiana (Marion and surrounding counties).
  • We are an all-volunteer, community-based organization. We work in partnership with schools, detention centers, youth agencies, and humane societies/shelters (among others).

Manuel HSAwards and Recognition:

Paws and Think has been honored with:

  • The RTV Leadership Award;
  • The Assistance Dog Institute’s Innovation Award (Pregnant Paws Program);
  • The Mayor’s Award for Community Service; and
  • The L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth Award.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to match at-risk youths with canines to enhance the lives of adults and children with special needs.

Our Programs Serve:

  • Youths who are academically or behaviorally challenged; incarcerated; at-risk of suicide; pregnant and single; or who lack a positive self-image
  • Children and adults with physical, emotional, or behavioral disabilities/needs
  • Stray, surrendered or neglected dogs at-risk of euthanasia, and
  • The communities in which these groups reside

We do so through our four innovative programs:

  • Our At-Risk Youth-Canine Programs
  • Our Service Dog Programs
  • Our Animal Assisted Activity/Therapy Programs, and
  • Our Annual Dog Talk Conference

Our Core Values:

Our human and fiscal resources are directed first and foremost to the provision of quality programming for central Indiana’s at-risk populations and the training of qualified staff and volunteers who provide the programs.

Our core values are:

  • Respect for self and others
  • Effective decision-making
  • Affiliation and inclusion
  • Commitment and follow-through
  • Responsibility/dependability
  • Achievement and sense of pride, and
  • Life balance (work, humor, fun).

We are also committed to research that enhances the benefits of the human-animal connection.