Driving Change: How Paws & Think is Impacting Lives with Help from MATS
Paws & Think is thrilled to announce a huge milestone in our organization’s history – we’ve officially purchased our first van! This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible help from our friends at MATS. From Amy and the sales team to the talented service tech department who transformed a used work van into a fully functional program vehicle, we are endlessly grateful.
This van is a game-changer for our Youth-Canine program, a unique initiative that pairs adoptable dogs with vulnerable youth for a week of positive-reinforcement training. The program fosters confidence, compassion, and skill-building in young people while providing the dogs with training to increase their chances of finding their forever homes.
In October, the van made its “paw-some debut,” transporting dogs to the Juvenile Detention Center, where youth worked directly with them for the week-long program. We even captured a special moment when Flower, a dog trained during the program, was adopted at the end of the week, marking the start of her new life with a picture-perfect “first family portrait” in front of the van!
Our Critical Needs:
As a volunteer-driven organization, Paws & Think relies on the dedication of our incredible volunteers and the generosity of donors and corporate sponsors. Our most pressing needs are funding to sustain and grow our programs and volunteers to support our Youth-Canine program and other initiatives. Contributions ensure the longevity and impact of our programs, while volunteers provide the hands-on support that makes life-changing experiences possible for both youth and adoptable dogs.
Why the Van is Vital:
The van is an essential tool in advancing our mission. It allows us to transport multiple dogs at the same time while also storing program supplies, essentially creating a program on wheels! This improves our current operations and provides the flexibility we need to grow and expand our impact in the future.
How You Can Help:
We’d love to connect with anyone passionate about making a difference! To learn more about volunteering or supporting our mission, visit our website at www.pawsandthink.org or contact our Executive Director, Ashleigh Coster, at [email protected].
A special shoutout to the MATS team for helping us realize this dream! Thanks to your partnership, we can continue providing life-changing opportunities for youth and increase the chances for adoptable dogs to find their forever homes. Together, we’re driving change in the community! 🐾✨