Paws for Friendship

Who are we?

Paws for Friendship is an entirely Non-profit organization started 31 years ago by a rescued Great Dane named Jennie. Our mission statement, "volunteers sharing the unconditional love of their personal pets with people in need throughout the world.”  

What we do?

 Some of our programs include:

• Humane education for the public. We promote diversity and our program reflects that. It has since we were founded in 1993.
• Paws to Read Programs to promote literacy in schools and libraries from an elementary level to the high school level. We include all three grade levels
• Paws on Campus Program to promote stress relief for students at the high school and college level. Most high school and colleges have service-learning offices.
• Animal rescue and adoption assistance, subject to each Member’s choice and it their areas
• Participation in community events, outreach programs and education forums. We encourage people of all sexual and gender identities, LGBTQ support, racial backgrounds, national origins, abilities, disabilities, religions, ages, etc. to make positive impacts in their community. Since we began, we have always visited facilities, from VA Hospitals, assisted living and skilled care, cancer units, hospice, adult day care, special needs children's units, schools, libraries, etc. Many smiles on their faces tell us our visits are important.
• Speaking engagements for various Clubs such as Sertoma Club, Rotary Club, etc. to bring awareness for our Program are always welcomed
• Introducing our Program into Critical Care Facilities, such as Dialysis Units, Heart Institutes, Cancer Centers, etc.
• Our focus is to provide friendly interaction between animals and people with the upmost respect. Therapy with animals lowers blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health, releases endorphins that have a calming effect, diminishes overall physical pain and the act of petting produces an automatic relaxation response.
• We have a Crisis Response Team and have helped volunteer at several tragedies with our registered, certified, and insured pets.

Where?

Our volunteers and their pets log thousands of hours monthly, in many different States, with our headquarters serving the Omaha, NE area. We are always looking to expand our network of giving.  Even with how hard our volunteers work, and all the efforts they make, there are not enough volunteers to go visit all the seniors, veterans, patients and students that truly deserve our time and care. There is only one 'downside' to pet therapy, there are not enough hours in a day to reach everyone in need. Your donations allow us to exist and expand our programs that bring awareness into communities and recruit new volunteers.

When?

We are always accepting donations on our website www.pawsforfriendship.org, and we are involved in as many Fundraisers as possible.

Why?

Not one of our members is a paid participant, we are all volunteers.  We rely solely on donations to keep our program alive and growing. Expanding into new areas where there is always a need for unconditional love and genuine caring. Our audience is ever growing, and your generous donations allow us to continue to serve more communities as well as strengthen those we already serve. The impact that each and every volunteer and pet have, at every single visit they make, is immeasurable, and your donations make that possible.

                                                                  We are helping those in need, one paw at a time

 Please share as often as possible, so others have to opportunity to help our organization exist and grow. Thank you!