Welcome to Hudson Valley Paws for a Cause,
an all-volunteer non-profit organization (501(c)3)
serving Orange, Rockland and Westchester Counties in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut
Our group participates in a wide variety of programs for both children and adults.
Reading
Our dogs have been certified to encourage children to improve their reading skills in schools and libraries. Often a child who is unsure of him/herself will relax and read to a dog, who is non-judgmental. Our handlers have been trained to act as the catalyst between the dog and the child.
Social Interaction
We participate in programs with special needs children. The therapy dogs often help to engage the child in social interactions with each other. We currently visit:
- Prime Time for Kids
- St Dominic’s School
- Paws for Kids
- Girl Scout and Boy Scout Meetings
- Future Five
- Astor School
- Sunshine Children’s Home
The group has also participated with soldiers at West Point with special needs such as PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
We also work with nursing homes, shelters and programs such as:
- Open Arms Women’s Shelter
- Meals on Wheels
- Friedwald Center
- Camp Venture
- ARC Congers
- The Promenade in Tuxedo Park
Stress Relief
Colleges call us to visit with their students during exam weeks. The students stop by and de-stress before and between exams. We also support the Red Cross Blood Drive efforts. We have worked with:
- Cadets at West Point
- Students at Dominican College
- Warrior Transition Unit at West Point
- Blood Donors
Education/Seminars
We provide educational seminars such as:
- Canine Body Language
- Introducing Pet Therapy
- R.E.A.D. Instruction
- Therapy Dogs vs. Service Dogs
- Internships with Animal Assisted Activities
Events
We participate in charitable drives and public events such as:
- Bark for Life Walk
- Rockland County Dog Show
- K9 Veterans Day
- NYC Veterans Day Parade
- Greenwich, Connecticut Veterans Day Walk
- Wags for Wheels (walk for Meals on Wheels)
- National Night Out
- Emergency Preparedness Fair
- Anti-Bullying Awareness Walk
- Fairfield County Women’s Expo
- 9/11 Memorial Community Day 2016
- Marist College Fundraising Event
- Disaster Conference