You may or may not know that one of the things I do with my free time is volunteer for an outstanding organization called Helping Paws. Helping Paws is a registered 501( c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to further the independence of individuals with disabilities through the use of service dogs. What does that mean? First, let me define what a service dog is for you. A service dog is a type of assistance dog. If you know what a guide dog (or seeing-eye dog) is, then you are part way there to knowing what a service dog is. A service dog is specially trained dog that is used by someone who has a disability other than vision or hearing problems. Typically, this individual would be someone who uses a wheel chair. They might have a spinal cord injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, or some other disease or injury that causes mobility impairment. This is where the service dog comes in to play — no pun intended. Service dogs are trained to help them. They can open doors, turn on or off lights, pick up a dropped object, retrieve a specific object — like a phone or your shoes, and even go get help in an emergency. Sounds pretty cool, right? I can tell you from personal experience, it is more than just cool. It is nothing short of amazing.

You’re probably wondering, “What does Helping Paws have to do with Pete?” Excellent question. The answer is a story all by itself. I got involved with Helping Paws eight years ago. I can thank my wife for introducing me to this wonderful organization. She had just finished training Daisy Mae, a black Labrador, when I met her. our second date was going to Helping Paws to meet some of her friends there and to meet some of these dogs. I was instantly hooked. Helping Paws is filled with warm, caring, compassionate people and lots of warm, snuggly, and talented dogs. It was easy to see that this organization changes lives by giving the incredible gift of a well trained dog. It didn’t take much to convince me to volunteer. Here I am, eight years later, the President of the Board of Directors of this fine organization.

Here’s where you come in. Helping Paws exists because of the family foundations, corporate grants, and most importantly, the generosity of people like you. We get no federal funding and no state funding. Without you, we can’t exists. I need your help! Our big spring fundraiser, an event we call Run & Romp is coming up in April. We call this a “six-legged race”, but it is really three different run/walks all held the same day. We encourage everyone who participates to bring their dog and to get some pledges to help us raise money for this wonderful organization. I have set a personal goal of $5000 for this event. What does this money go towards? Simple. It pays the costs of raising and training these wonderful dogs for people that need them. The more money we can raise as an organization, the more dogs we can train.

Please help me make my goal. This year, we are taking pledges for the event online. Follow this link: http://www.active.com/donations/fundraise_public.cfm?key=pmarkham

If you live in Minnesota, please consider get some pledges and joining us for the event. It is great fun.

Thanks!

–Pete