Paws With a Cause seeks support to renovate headquarters

WAYLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — For 45 years, Paws With a Cause has been supporting people living with disabilities nationwide through assistance dogs and now the nonprofit is looking to the community for support.

On Tuesday, PAWS leaders announced its first public capital campaign: Embrace the Journey .

“Each year over 400 qualified individuals apply for their own PAWS assistance dog. Our current capacity does not allow us to meet this need and we are determined to change that,” Chris Pucci, Embrace the Journey Campaign Chair said during a press conference Tuesday.

The campaign aims to raise $9.5 million in charitable gifts, allowing for the renovation of existing facilities at the PAWS headquarters in Wayland. Through the support of donors, to date, the nonprofit has raised $7.7 million. It’s now asking the public to help raise the remaining $1.8 million.

The existing facilities have served PAWS since 1994 but have seen little improvements, according to PAWS CEO Michele Suchovsky.

“Due to the age and materials in our systems, we are not working as efficiently as we could be,” Suchovsky said. “Because of this and the lack of sufficient space, we simply cannot train additional PAWS dogs to meet the need. The Embrace the Journey campaign will solve these issues and move us forward.”

Two of the three existing buildings will be renovated. The only new construction planned is a 4,200-square-foot canine village with updated living quarters for 64 dogs and a care area for dogs in the final stages of training. The space will also create more room for play and exercise.

Other plans include a contemporary training floor complemented by a building with two training departments, simulated spaces like coffee shops and grocery stores where dogs can train, the first dedicated veterinary clinic with surgery, recovery and radiology rooms, as well as a state-of-the-art breeding lab.

“Our breeding program is essential to ensure that PAWS dogs have the physicality and temperament required to be successful in working careers,” Suchovsky said.

Throughout the facilities, spaces will be updated with enhanced ADA accessibility, staff office spaces, grooming rooms and supply rooms.

“These strategic improvements will maximize efficiency and support expanded programs in the world-class breeding care and training of our dogs. Achieving each facet of the project will allow us to serve more people and create thriving communities for all,” Suchovsky said.

PAWS leaders said with the funds already raised, the hope is to start construction on the project in September of 2024, with work planned throughout 2025.

“We need everyone’s help in securing the last $1.8 million to ensure that we can achieve all that we have laid out before you,” Suchovsky appealed.

You can view renderings and read more about the PAWS mission and vision for the future on the nonprofit’s website .

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