Pawsitive Teams was started by two local women over 25 years ago . . . with just one dog! Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with special needs who live in San Diego County by using the skills of highly-trained service, facility, and therapy dogs. As a volunteer-inspired organization, we accomplish this through the compassion, talent, and time of over 70 volunteers in our service and facility dog training program, Therapy Dog Prep School and goal-directed Therapy Dog programs, our education and outreach activities, and through donors like you. Our administrative costs are kept to a minimum by a small but mighty part-time staff and a wholly-owned training center. Here's what we do!
SERVICE DOGS—Since its humble beginning, 75 dogs have been trained by Pawsitive Teams’ volunteer Service Dog trainers in their homes, workplaces, our Training Center and around town. These dogs have successfully gone on to provide service to mobility-limited San Diegans. Our Service Dog placement rate of over 70% surpasses that of national placement rates, which are between 45% and 55%.
FACILITY DOGS—Pawsitive Teams' Facility Dogs, trained in advanced obedience and specialty cues, are used in the work setting under the direction of a professional partner who has been trained in specific techniques that enable the dog to serve as a tool and a motivator. This teamwork enhances the accomplishment of client-related goals. The dogs are receptive to accepting leadership and direction from the trained handler, have the ability to maintain a calm and polite manner in all situations, and are adaptable to interact with a variety of people in different situations when given a command by the handler. A single dog serves many people through this program, which we continue to expand to serve more San Diegans.
THERAPY DOGS—at Prep School, individuals who think they may want to volunteer in the community with their dog are provided an active curriculum during a six-week term. Our highly-experienced instructors offer this fun class four times a year. We have over 850 graduates and counting, many of whom have gone on to volunteer with their dogs in facilities across the county. Our unique goal-directed Pawsitive Animal Assisted Therapy Programs match volunteer dog and handler teams to our partner organizations, such as schools with special needs students, the court system, and veterans’ groups. The teams and professionals (e.g. attorneys, therapists, special education teachers, counselors, and the like) work together using the special talents of the dogs to assist in attaining client goals.
OUTREACH & EDUCATION—Our education and outreach activities include answering many emails and phone calls concerning service, facility, and therapy dogs, as well as presentations to children and adults alike on these topics. We reach literally hundreds of individuals each year.
Reflecting on our mission, we serve San Diegans with special needs through all of our programs. Consider our service to the military and veterans: we have and continue to place service dogs with veterans, we have a facility dog working hard each day at and the VA, and we offer our unique Canine Inspired Community Reintegration (CICR) program to active duty military and veterans. As you consider making a donation to a worthy organization, please visit our website at pawsteams.org to learn more about us and the work we do throughout San Diego County. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!