Welcome to Paws & Think!
What happens when you combine at-risk youths with at-risk canines? Magic!
Our accredited, structured, and research-based programs change lives:
Disadvantaged youths and youths with behavioral challenges are better prepared to manage their own lives and help others.- Children and adults with physical, emotional and behavioral challenges are better equipped to carry out activities of daily living and become more confident in interacting with others.
Dogs at risk of euthanasia are given a second chance, since they are more adoptable following their training and socialization.- Communities serving these at-risk youth and dogs are stronger, since they have happier and more productive residents.
A Win:Win:Win:Win For All!
Another “Pawsitive” Program!
Our partner Baxter YMCA’s, Pawsitively Adorable Summer Camp is a week long program. We spend the first day at the Baxter YMCA teaching the kids how to communicate with and care for their dogs and how to shape their dogs’ behavior. Days two, three and four take place at Indianapolis Animal Care and Control, where the kids are partnered with dogs who are available for adoption.
The kids teach the dogs basic skills and manners through positive reinforcement. The dogs who go through this traning program receive a kennel card with their photo and the photo of the youths who have helped socialize them. Thus someone who may be interested in adopting them knows what skills the dogs have learned. The last day of the program takes place back at the Baxter YMCA, where the kids are thanked for being a “pawsitive” impact on the dogs…preventing their euthanasia by making them more adoptable!
Our next program Pawsitively Adorable is July 19-23 (with ages 10-11) and July 26-30 (with ages 12-15). Both camps run M-F from 10am-12noon. If you are interested in helping as volunteer, please fill out the Volunteer Inquiry form.
Join us on June 23rd for the 2nd Annual Hound Dog Day
Can you sing, dance, and style your hair like Elvis? What about your dog? Between the two of you, who’s really the most skilled, better-looking performer? Only one way to find out…show up at the City Market on June 23 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm for Hound Dog Days, a tribute to Elvis’ last performance at Market Square Arena. Click here to download the registration form for all the details…hope to see you there!
Grant from the Tony Stewart Foundation to Support Therapy Dog Program
We are very proud to announce that Paws and Think has received a grant from the Tony Stewart Foundation in support of the expansion of our Animal Assisted Activity/Therapy Program!
Through this program, we train and evaluate companion dogs for visitation and therapeutic interventions. Our volunteer/dog teams visit schools, agencies that serve grieving children, adult day care centers, the VA hospital, retirement homes and more. Approximately 1,000 children and adults are served annually through this program. We are excited about this new partnership…thanks again to the Tony Stewart Foundation!
Paws and Think is on Facebook and Twitter
Did you know that there are many ways to stay connected to Paws and Think? In addition to the e-newsletter, we also have a Facebook Fan page, a Facebook Cause page and are on Twitter. Friend us and follow us to stay up-to-date with the most recent news, upcoming events and success stories!
June Events
6/12/10 Come visit the Paws and Think booth at WFYI’s annual Let’s Meet PBS KIDS in the Park, a FREE family festival located in Military Park from 10am-4pm. Paws and Think will have Bite Prevention materials available for kids to color. The event attracts approximately 40,000 people from Central Indiana. For more information visit: http://wfyi.org/LM/.
6/12/10 Come visit the Paws and Think booth at the Indiana State Museum between the hours of 11am to 4pm, and meet some of our Animal Therapy Teams! Learn more about what Paws and Think does for the community and how you can train/evaluate your dog for animal visitation or puppy-raise a service-dog-in-training!
6/23/10 Bring yourself and your dog for lunch at the City Market (11:30am-1:30pm) for Hound Dog Days, a tribute to Elvis’ last performance at Market Square Arena. The event will feature fun King activities, including Elvis Look A-Like Contests (Hound Dog Look-A-Like, Owner Look-A-Like, Hairstyle Look-A-Like and a Dance-off!)! Admission is $10 which is donated 100% to Paws and Think.
6/26/10 Be thinking good thoughts as our Paws and Think Quartet We Let The Dogs Out participates in a karaoke contest sponsored by Giving Sum at the Slippery Noodle Inn (downtown) between 2 and 6 pm. The Quartet features three of our volunteers (Jodi VanSlyke, Deb Feltz and her dog Indy, and Sandy Nogle).