Patriot Paws

Patriot PAWS was established as a not-for-profit organization in 2006.  The mission of Patriot PAWS is to train and provide service dogs for the benefit of disabled American veterans and others with mobile disabilities in order to help restore their physical and emotional independence.  Partnerships with community and state organizations such as the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) help support this undertaking and allow Patriot PAWS to reach its overall goal.  This idea became a reality thanks to Executive Director and Founder Lori Stevens.  Stevens is a certified dog trainer with more than 20 years of experience and is a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy. 

The collaboration with TDJC allows prisoners the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than their confinement and provides Patriot PAWS a much needed volunteer base to train quality service dogs. In 2008, the Patriot PAWS program, nationally recognized in the service dog industry, formed a partnership with the TDCJ to provide female offenders with a rare and unique skill in training service dogs for mobility impaired individuals.  The training program is offered on two female correctional facilities in Gatesville, the Lane Murray Unit and the Christina Melton Crain Unit.  Offenders receive the training at no cost and receive certification that helps them with re-entry into the community.  Since its inception, the program has placed 18 service dogs.  There have also been 18 female offenders who have participated in the program and have been released from prison.  Eleven of these currently work in a dog training related field.  Through this program, the female offenders gain self-esteem and pride in knowing they are truly helping make a difference in the lives of disabled American veterans.

Each dog is trained and customized to the individual needs of the owner with tasks as varied as finding assistance in emergencies, helping with chores and aiding emotions for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and brain injury.  In addition to helping with daily tasks, one of the most beneficial contributions a service dog provides is a disabled partner is its lifelong devotion and unconditional love.

Patriot PAWS does not place a dog younger than 18 months.  Training costs approximately $20,000 to $30,000 and all of the money needed to care for the dogs-in-training is donated which makes donations and volunteers even more crucial.   Applications for a service dog are available on our web site at:  www.patriotpaws.org. 

Since its inception in 2006, Lori Stevens and Patriot PAWS has received many awards for her work.  Some of those include:

Woman of the Year 2009 – The American Legion Auxiliary, an organization with 900,000 members, honored Stevens with the 2009 Woman of the Year Award for her outstanding dedication to serving veterans, their families and their communities.  Past recipients of this award are former First Lady Laura Bush, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, country artist Chely Wright and politician Elizabeth Dole.

Dog of the Year 2009 – Archie, an 8-year-old Labrador retriever trained by Patriot PAWS, was named the 2009 Dog of the Year by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.  Archie assisted his owner, U.S. Army Sgt. Clay Rankin, in nearly every aspect of his life, ranging from picking up mail to helping out of bed.

“Making a Difference” 2009 – Stevens was featured on “NBC Nightly News” with Brian Williams as one of the leading women making a difference in the United States.

Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award 2011

Please help us help our Wounded Warriors!  Patriot PAWS Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  We are funded 100% by public donations.  The care of one dog-in-training can cost $20,000 – $30,000.  Only through tax-diductable donations, along with volunteers, can Patriot PAWS provide these dogs free of charge to disabled veterans in need.  Checks can be made payable to Patriot PAWS and mailed to the address below, and also may be made at the Patriot PAWS website, www.patriotpaws.org through Pay Pal.

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
254 Ranch Trail
Rockwall, Texas 75032
Office:  972-772-3282

To find out more about the mobility equipment, wheelchair vans and other solutions offered by United Access, visit http://www.UnitedAccess.com. 

About United Access: United Access has been providing the latest in adapted vehicles, driving systems and services for over 30 years. They are a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association and a nationally accredited Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealer with nine locations across the Central United States. They are committed to giving back to the communities they serve through volunteer time, event sponsorships and donations.