A non-profit organization established in 2003, Paws of Life (PoL) educates, coaches and provides working dogs to K9 handlers all across the nation. In the past four years we have reached hundreds of hanlders in states ranging from Alaska to New York. The typical recipient of our programming is the K9 search and rescue handler that searches for lost hunters, children missing in a corn field or an alzheimer patient who walks away from their care facility. PoL does provide training opportunities for law enforcement and other working canine disciplines. Focus remains on bringing training methods that are fair and solid to working canines and their handlers.
Our PoL Coaches are experienced working dog and SAR handlers in multiple disciplines and have professional skills such as unit development, strategic planning, fundraising and professional dog training experience that we bring to the table.
PoL is not a certifying or evaluating agency, however, we strongly believe that a strong educational program does require testing. We strongly encourage certification of K9 resources to National Incident Management System (NIMS) standards.
PoL has no full time employees.
Core Values
The Paws of Life Foundation has core values that we adhere too. These values guide our decisions and overall strategie. They are to:
Excel in providing training
Be the best K9 educational resource by providing reasonably priced training options that are based in science, concentrate on solid K9 learning theory and methodologies that are fair to canines and handlers in working canine disciplines.
Provide Thought Leadership
Support best practices while being entrepreneurial, experimenting, and investing in innovative solutions during the offering of our programming and sustaining our business model. Apply scientific rigor, integrity and continuous learning to define and evaluate outcomes achieved by the K9 teams and people in which the Foundation invests.
Build Capacity
Invest in strategies and programs that build local resources and increase the number of highly professional and qualified K9 working teams in the entire United States.
Ensure Financial Leadership and Accountability
Leverage funds to innovate and expand education and K9 placement efforts, maximize impact and returns for funders, and maintain a balanced mix of revenues for financial stability.
Recognize and Develop the Foundation's Stakeholders
Provide opportunities for all partners, board, and staff, in order to nurture future K9 educational leaders to ensure a sustainable training network at a regional level.