According to the 2000 US Census, over 25 million Americans are unable to walk 1/4 of a mile or even climb 10 stairs without some kind of assistance. At Power Paws, we believe that it is the right of every person to pursue the quality of life they want, and by providing skilled service dogs we can give back to our communities and their citizens.

Power Paws, a nonprofit organization, is dedicated to empowering adults and children with disabilities for greater independence. We are able to do this through specialized programs.

Mission
Our mission is to provide highly skilled assistance dogs to adults and children with disabilities throughout the United States, to provide education and continuing support for working assistance dog teams, and to be a resource in the community for people with disabilities.

History
Power Paws Assistance Dogs was founded by Miss Shoshanna Abels. Miss Abels was raised in a family where community service was highly valued. Shoshanna's family became volunteer puppy raisers for several assistance dog organizations and Shoshanna found her passion in this program. When she graduated from high school in 1999, Shoshanna studied with Dr. Bergin and graduated as The Assistance Dog Institute's youngest student. Shoshanna returned to Scottsdale, Arizona and founded Power Paws Assistance Dogs, Inc. Power Paws Assistance Dogs became incorporated in 2001, received their 501 c 3 status and began training and placing assistance dogs. Since 2001, Power Paws has certified 52 teams and currently has over 30 dogs in training.

Power Paws trains Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers in 90 commands to assist adults and children with disabilities. Our main focus is on mobility impairments, such as paraplegics and quadriplegics, but we also provide dogs to the hearing impaired and psycho/social disabilities, such as fears, phobias and Post Traumatic Distress Disorder. Among the commands our assistance dogs learn are: to open and close doors and drawers, turn lights on and off, push elevator buttons and retrieve dropped items.  We are now training Diabetic Alert Dogs. Meet Our Trainers. 

Power Paws has been able to provide assistance dogs to people with disabilities within one to two years from the completion of an application. This remains one of the shortest waiting times in the industry. 



Robyn Abels, Executive Director
Meg Flynn, Programs Manager