Paward School

The Intro to Service Paws program is a comprehensive training program designed to prepare students for potential service dog ownership and/or heal through handling dogs on a therapeutic level.  All students are required to take levels 101-102 in order to participate in other programs.  Students will learn essential training skills, engage in fun and interactive games with the dogs, and discover how to utilize the dog on a therapeutic level. Our program provides a safe space for students to learn, and if they need a break, our coaches will teach them how to communicate their needs and work with the dog alone. All three levels must be completed in order to qualify for our Service Paws program. Our assigned coaches carefully select the perfect dog for each individual student based on their needs, and the final decision is always left to the student and their parents. The dog lives with the student and attends group classes with assistant coaches, with a weekly home visit by their coach to address any issues. Public access training is done in small groups with assigned days and times, while task training is done one on one. This extensive program ranges from $8500 to $12,000, which covers the scouting and coaching time for the dog. The purchase of the dog itself is the responsibility of the parents. At the Service Paws program, we are dedicated to providing a supportive and empowering experience for our students as they embark on this journey with their service dog.

The Junior/Senior Enrichment program is an amazing opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in the field of helping children with disabilities through the Healing Paws Company. This program is specifically designed for students aged 14 and up who have a passion for working with dogs and making a positive impact on the lives of others. Upon completion of the program, students have the option to continue their education by enrolling in the full program to become a senior service dog trainer. This program is open for enrollment once students have completed Junior 101-103, giving them a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. Graduates also have the opportunity to house, co own and assist in training a dog, bringing them to group classes and working with them one-on-one for training tasks. The student may have a dog in a host home where they will meet their students at the school until designated times.  These amazing dogs can then be placed in host families who co-own the dog with the company and use them within their homes until they are assigned to a child in need out of state. Not only do students gain valuable experience, but the assignment of the dog will also reimburse them with a year of tuition. This incredible program is truly a win-win for both students and the children they will ultimately help.  After they graduate they can choose to volunteer to become a big sister or brother. Once required externship ends they may have a chance to be paid to help classes on a regular.

Homeschool Paws is an amazing program for students who have a passion for dogs and want to learn the basics and advanced training techniques. With three levels of coaching, students will have the opportunity to handle a trained service dog and participate in activities such as hosting a dog in training, dog walking, pet sitting, and even helping a Senior Coach at events or festivals after they graduate. The tone of voice here is one of excitement and enthusiasm, as Homeschool Paws offers a unique and hands-on learning experience for students to develop their skills and make a positive impact in the community. This program is truly a great opportunity for students to combine their love for dogs with their desire to learn and grow. This program has also been used as a therapeutic tool. Age requirements 7-18 years old.