The document proposes establishing an organization called People in Need of Paws that would train rescue dogs as service dogs for those with diabetes, PTSD, and blindness. It notes the high rates of diabetes among Native Americans and PTSD among veterans to demonstrate the need. The organization would work with dog rescues and trainers to select dogs and pair them with clients, with the goals of helping clients become more self-sufficient and employable. It provides details on staffing needs, estimated budgets, information to be collected on clients, dogs, and training, and how the program would be evaluated.
1. People in Need of Paws
Tabitha Nelson
Public Service and Education, Post University
HSV40 5 – Human Service Administration
Lisa Hersey
Sunday, August 13, 2023
2. People in Need of Paws
There is a need for affordable service dogs in our community and on the
surrounding Indian Reservation. Native Americans have the highest rate of diabetes
in the United States at a rate of over 16%.
Mission: Helping individuals fight against the hardship of PTSD, blindness, and
diabetes using service dogs by saving dogs from fighting rings and being
euthanized. We will work with the dog rescue and trainers to select dogs with the
right temperament and personality to learn specific skills.
Measurable goals:
Pairing a trained service dog with the correct client and having them build a bond that
betters both their lives.
The client becomes employable and social again.
The client becomes self-sufficient with the help of their service dog.
Dogs’ lives are saved.
*McLaughlin, S. (2010, January 1)
3. The Environmental Needs:
Political Factors
Funding and Taxes
Economic Factors
Low-income families
Lack of medical insurance
Providing extra jobs to Native Americans and the community
Social Factors
A new business in town
Education for the community on PTSD, blindness, and diabetes
Technological Factors
Bring awareness to the community as to what businesses need to upgrade to
comply with the ADA and Service Animals.
4. Culture and Diversity
We will employee Native Americans to bring their culture into the company.
Native Americans have the highest rate of diabetes with 16% of the population being affected.
We need to know how to connect with them and how to help them without offending their
culture.
We will employee veterans and have volunteer veterans.
Veterans have the highest PTSD rate in the United States so having them on staff and as
volunteers, they will understand what others are going through.
*McLaughlin, S., 2010
*Veterans Affair, 2018.
8. Client
Information
to be
Collected
Name of client.
Date of Birth of client.
Address of client.
Nationality of the client (if provided).
Sex of client (if provided).
Client pronouns.
Reason for seeking a service dog.
Financial background of the client.
Financial needs of the client.
Emergency contact information.
What the client expects to gain from having a service dog.
Where the client would like to see themselves in 2 ½ years.
If the client has applied for and been denied or accepted
elsewhere for a service dog.
What if any grants/programs the client has applied for and if
they have been accepted or denied.
The client's living situation.
The client's employment status.
If the client receives or is denied a dog.
Doctor referral for the client.
9. Dog
Information
Collected
Name of Dog.
Breed of Dog.
Date of Birth
Disposition upon arrival.
Disposition after training has started.
How the dog responds to different
individuals.
How the dog responds to commands
and training.
If the dog successfully completes the
program and is placed.
A list of reasons will be provided if the
dog does not successfully complete
the program.
Updates on how the dog performs once
trained and released to the client.
10. Trainer/Training
Information
Collected
Name of the trainer.
Daily hours the trainer works with each dog.
What commands are worked on during each
session.
Trainer notes on the dog.
Trainer notes on the client.
11. Program
Evaluation
Using quantitative methods of interviews, questionnaires,
observation, and document review will be used to evaluate
People in Need of Paws.
Clients will be asked to fill out questionnaires three times
during the training and placing process.
Staff will have yearly evaluations to ensure they are doing their
job and documenting what needs to be documented. Trainers
will be evaluated and the success of their service dogs and
placement.
To be a successful organization we need to place 6-8 service
dogs a year and the clients need to be moving forward with
employment and socialization.
12. With the climbing need for service dogs and the insane
amount of stray and abandoned dogs on the Wind River
Indian Reservation, why not put the two together and create a
medical bond that can change both lives?
We save money by using rescue dogs instead of pure breed
dogs.
Rescue dogs are super intelligent and loyal.
Native Americans have the highest rate of diabetes in the
United States, without intervention more will suffer the fatal
consequence.
Veterans have the highest rate of PTST, what better way to say
Thank You than to train a service dog to be their new best
friend?
13. Reference:
McLaughlin, S. (2010a, January 1). Traditions and diabetes prevention: A healthy
path for Native Americans. American Diabetes Association.
https://diabetesjournals.org/spectrum/article/23/4/272/31851/Traditions-and-
Diabetes-Prevention-A-Healthy-Path
Va.gov: Veterans Affairs. How Common is PTSD in Veterans? (2018, July 24).
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp#:~:text=Sum
mary,who%20use%20community%20health%20services.