Paws With A Cause® trains assistance dogs nationally for people with disabilities (ex. blindness, hearing impaired, seizures). They are located in Michigan, and is the nation's leading provider of quality Assistance Dogs. We are proud to announce as of 2009, we have made 3 puppy donations and 1 adult lab donation to this wonderful organization. As we get updates on these Booker Labs and their amazing journey, we will keep it posted here!
BOOKER, BUEHRLE & RIO - Donated 5/2009. These 3 handsome boys will be in PAWS foster homes until 14 months of age. During that time they will learn home manners, obedience and socialization skills. When they leave the foster homes, they will be temperament tested and it will be determined what type of assistance dog they will become. Then the training begins!
UPDATE - 1/28/10 Heard from Rio's foster raiser: "Raising Rio is a joy. He is mild mannered and smart and has done everything we ask of him. We have every hope and belief that he will be a superior service dog. That hasn't stopped everyone, from neighbors to my hairdresser, from offering to take him! We appreciate the privilege and thank Booker's Labradors for the chance to care and train him. Frequently drivers stop their vehicles just to comment that Rio is a very good looking dog. Luckily, that hasn't gone to his head! He is a fun traveler and adapts well to all kinds of environments. Rio loves training and is a quick learner. He has a natural curiosity and wants to figure out his surroundings. He yelps to high heaven if other dogs are playing without him. Rio is affectionate without being needy. He isn't as fast as his buddy Reagan, but is strong and has good stamina and can play hard for an hour or two. He has a natural attraction to all things that fly...birds, airplanes, bugs." Here is a recent picture of Rio on our Nov trip to Colorado:
AVA - 2 yr old female, black. Donated to PAWS 8/2009. Ava recently received Good OFA's hips/elbows, PennHip eval., OFA cardiac, OFA thyroid, and eyes CERF eval. After passing all health tests, she is now an official member of the PAWS breeding program. We are proud to have her carry on the Booker name in such a positive way. Ava's first litter of puppies are due Jan 2010! Good luck PAWS puppies!
UPDATE - 1/19/10 Ava delivered 9 healthy puppies for PAWS , 5 girls & 4 boys. Hope these babies grow to help many in their service work.