Poodle Paws Assistance Dogs
Mission Statement
Poodle Paws Assistance Dogs provides comfort, security and independence for children and adults with disabilities through a loyal and unconditional partnership.
Poodle Paws Assistance Dogs is a family oriented organization that was driven out of the idea that people with various forms of disabilities would benefit greatly from the relationship and independence that could form between a canine companion and its human partner.
PPAD Representatives make their way to where the greatest need for service dogs are. Including, but not limited to: General Doctor’s offices, Rehabilitation Centers, Audiologists, Psychiatric Offices as well as anywhere else we might be asked to go to perform services for any various number of disabilities.
Currently, we are serving Pike, Wayne, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties in North East Pennsylvania. We at PPAD feel there is a wide range of children and adults that would benefit from this service within these four counties. Ultimately, we are looking at servicing a broader range within the tri-county area within the next three years.
I, as the Owner and President of Poodle Paws Assistance Dogs, lend my own personal experience to why I have chosen to take up the path of training service dogs. My dog, Duncan, was my inspiration for developing this type of service. He helped me to understand just how valuable a canine companion could truly be after dealing with my own personal experiences. Duncan was able to provide me with the confidence that I needed to get myself out with his assistance. It led to a greater understanding of how valuable having a service dog at your side can be. It also made me realize how many others could benefit from having this type of companion as well.
The great test of the strength of canine partnership came when I was devastated by the unexpected loss of my husband. In these instances, there is no time for preparing or goodbyes, it is overwhelming for someone to go through this process alone. It also contributed to my first experiences in dealing with grief and anxiety at this magnitude. At that time, I was not even aware of the significant impact my second dog, Kouga, was making in my life.
Kouga was out with me at a store solely as a Demonstration Assistance Dog, I had a high anxiety attack, blacked out and Kouga led me to a quiet place where he helped me sit down and get myself safe and relaxed. I confronted, for the first time, that I now faced my own personal reality. I needed the assistance of the dog I was training to take over for Duncan as the Demo Dog. Kouga alerts me by leaning on me and getting in front of me to let me know that my anxiety is reaching high levels. At that point, I am able to get myself out of any possible compromising situations that could lead to my being injured or mentally losing focus on the task at hand.
There are also occasions where I have been able to stay in the moment of what I am doing simply because he makes his physical presence known and he helps my mind reset to focus on what it is I am doing. No matter what the instances might be, Kouga has found a way to let me know he is assisting me out of what might become a troublesome situation.
We at PPAD feel that a well thought through and designed Marketing Strategy would work best for our current situation. Making adaptations to it as we move forward and profits build within the organization. At the present time we are building our client base through the use of word of mouth, calling on general physicians as well as physicians who deal with specific debilitating circumstances for individuals. We also distribute flyers and brochures throughout Pike, Wayne, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties.
In the future, we hope to also include print ads and media, such as radio and television. We are currently researching seminars, informational and learning workshops to let the public become more aware of the services and benefits provided by Poodle Paws Assistance Dogs.
In closing, Poodle Paws Assistance Dogs is a family oriented organization that was driven out of the idea that people with various forms of disabilities would benefit greatly from the relationship and independence that could form between a canine companion and its human partner. With caring staff and well-trained canines, we believe we can help the disabled one person at a time, one dog at a time.
Founder and CEO Crystal Crum