Power Paws first location was at Apache Park in Scottsdale.
A classroom at our first location, accessibility was limited.
Over the past 26 years, Power Paws has grown from a small Scottsdale-based organization into a service dog provider located on the Ability360 campus in Phoenix, near the Tempe border. Ability360 is dedicated to serving people with disabilities, making it an ideal home for Power Paws and the clients it supports.
Early Operations in Scottsdale – 2001-2016
Second location, on Rose Lane in Scottsdale.
Power Paws began in the Scottsdale home of its founders, the Abels family. The organization later moved into its first commercial space: repurposed classrooms at Scottsdale’s Apache Park. The 5,000-square-foot facility included an administrative office, puppy nursery, and training room.
Even though the space supported Power Paws’ early growth, it also presented significant challenges. The facility was expensive, in poor repair, and did not provide the accessible accommodations clients needed.
Power Paws’ third location, Ability 360, is a fitting match.
The First Move: Rose Lane – 2017
In February 2017, Power Paws moved from Apache Park to a newly renovated, accessible facility on Rose Lane in North Scottsdale. The shared space, occupied with two other nonprofits, reduced annual fixed expenses by 70.4% compared with 2016.
The Rose Lane location improved accessibility and reduced rent by 50%. But created a new challenge: Power Paws became more geographically isolated from many of the clients it served.
Third Time’s the Charm: Ability360 – 2023
The facility has a large courtyard for training and activities.
In December 2023, Power Paws moved to Ability360, a campus designed to support people with disabilities. This relocation placed Power Paws in an environment closely aligned with its mission and the needs of the families it serves.
- A 15,000-square-foot resource center that houses 12 nonprofits serving children, adults, and families with disabilities.
- A 45,000-square-foot sports and fitness center equipped with specialized programs, activities, and adaptive equipment that help improve quality of life for the families Power Paws serves.
The Ability360 location offers advantages the previous facilities could not match, including direct access to public transportation and nearby freeways. These benefits have improved convenience for clients, staff, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Along with a business center, there is also a 45,000-square-foot athletic facility.
Lessons Learned from Each Move
Each move helped Power Paws better understand what it needed from a facility. Decisions were guided by operational needs, client accessibility, and financial sustainability. What’s more, each location was evaluated for how well it supported Power Paws’ mission and the people it serves. With its move to Ability360, Power Paws has found a home that brings those priorities together.