Pets Are Wonderful Support – PAWS

Hey all my fellow Unilocalers I’m here today to tell you about a group of volunteers called” pets are wonderful support «- if you know anybody with a disability or you yourself have a disability and you have a letter that says you are disabled from your doctor whatever your state benefits benefit card anything that can help prove that you have records of your animals shots and these very kind people will help you take care of your pet for the rest of your life pets are wonderful support and are heaven sent in my world, I am a multiple sclerosis patient what the handful of other medical issues and these folks are angels in disguise! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM… ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY TEAMED UP WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY… GOOD FOR THEM AND FOR ALL OF US…

Scam. Ill be reporting PAWS to the IRS and the City of San Francisco next. Check out their store which, swear to gosh has a menu board Chipotle would be envious of. Oh, not for services; go there to see what you can order and come here to
see what you cant. Im disabled and homeless and dont qualify for any services.

Since January 2009 I have written, emailed and phoned this organization many times and have never been able to receive any support whatsoever. But today they actually did give me a date when I can expect the occasional dog walker.
2 years from now.
I am # 167 on their waiting list. Apparently every time you ask for support they bump you to the back of the line. None of this «oh she’s been trying to connect with us for 4 years» nonsense. Because of course that would be too logical.
My 13 year old dog, who was 10 years old when I first sent this agency a request for help, will not understand their selection process, and neither do I.
I am told by their manager that because I did not return the application packet in a timely manner my «spot» was give to the next person in line.
So let’s just say if you are too sick to follow up, they won’t follow up to see what happened. Around that time in my life I had a terrible drug reaction and I was extremely ill, which I have told them about in more detail than I would like to publicly post, and it does not matter to them.
I worked for 2 non profits when I was a young woman and I really cannot understand how this organization justifies using the resources to send out application packets whilst making not even one follow up call.
But here is their blurb:
«Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) is a volunteer-​based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for low-​income persons with HIV/​AIDS and other disabling illnesses. By providing these essential support services, educating the larger community on the benefits of the human-​animal bond, and advocating for the rights of disabled individuals to keep service animals, PAWS improves the health and well-​being of disabled individuals and the animals in their lives.
As a volunteer for PAWS SF, you can walk dogs, pet cats, deliver food or do administrative work for an organization that desperately needs the assistance. Volunteering at PAWS is one of the most enriching, rewarding things that I do with my life and life is all about helping each other (well, and eating) so anyway, if you have a little extra time (or money!), this would be a great place to spend it.»
Indeed.

PAWS is an AMAZING nonprofit organization which helps pet owners (from all walks of life) care for, and maintain the well being of their four legged friends. Through the help of volunteers, PAWS is able to assist the handicapped, needy, and elderly, with tasks such as bathing, walking, and the general care-​giving of their beloved pets.
I was fortunate enough to have been a part of their monthly dog wash last week. Through a volunteer program established by my employer, a handful of coworkers and I spent several hours washing (at least) 30 dogs of all shapes, sizes, and furriness! The amazing group @ Pet Food Express in SF’s Castro District loans out their HUGE dog washing station to PAWS and friends, affording volunteers like us the opportunity to help wash pups in need of a serious scrubbin’.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to volunteer in your community… and if you’re an animal lover, and looking to help those less able than yourself, then PAWS has various outlets for you to participate in one of their many volunteer opportunities. DO IT.

A very well run organization! I’ve been walking a dog for about a year now and really enjoy it! I can really tell that the other walkers and I are truly helping her owner out a lot and she is very appreciative! Such a simple thing and very rewarding!
The volunteer coordinator Daniel is very helpful and easy to work with. They have a great training before you get started and then they also offer occasional trainings throughout the year.
They have a lot of other volunteer opportunities too. I’ve helped boxing the kits for the clients and that’s cool too. Just a few hours of packing up boxes with the client’s pet’s «order». It is very obvious how important these pets are to their owners when you read these orders — very cute!
Their annual Petchitecture event is a real treat too! Easy, fun work and the attendees are great! Picture a beautiful venue over-​run with tons of pets and some even dressed to match their owners! Fun times!

This is the charity that we donate to throughout the year. Paws down!

Want the loving companionship of an animal but can’t have one for all those reasons, too busy, no time, landlord won’t allow it, b/​f, g/​f, s/​o allergic ?
(or pretending to be)
this is the place to get your animal yah yahs out !
you can volunteer to walk peoples’ dogs, take pets to their vet appointments, work in the pet food distribution center, or even do clerical work, all while contributing on a personal level to keeping loving companions in loving homes.
Ever wanted to walk around a street fair with a walkie –talkie acting like a bigshot cause your badge says «Security» on it?
guess what ?
PAWS lends their volunteers to the organizers of events like Folsom St. Fair, etc. who pay PAWS by the hour for your services.
win /​win
I have been a volunteer for years and can say it is one of the most worthy of our time, dollars whatever.
oh yeah, i’m also a client
be bold, ask questions, take chances… Auntie mame

I’ve been a volunteer with Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) for about 3 years now. I don’t regret a moment. It is an organization that does wonderful things to help preserve the human-​animal bond for those that are critically ill, this includes HIV/​AIDS patients and patients with other debilitating illnesses. It is not only internally rewarding, but it is fun. I’ve met and volunteered with some of the nicest people in the city thanks to PAWS. Whether it is working events, the Pet Food Bank, walking a dog, caring for a cat or providing a little financial support, if you are looking for a non-​profit organization to assist in your down time, this is the one to think about.
Daniel Marlay is a great guy and the new Pet Food Bank coordinator is equally so.

I went to their volunteer orientation last week and this seems like such a great organization — helping the companion animals of people who are ill and in need in order to enhance the quality of life for both. They have a walkathon coming up in October — check out their website for more info, or to see how you can help!

There are so many great organizations to volunteer for; PAWS is one of them. I get to enjoy walking a dog while helping someone in need – it’s smiles all around. Mainly volunteer-​based, PAWS is always in need of help. If you can commit to as little as one hour a week for six months, it’s worth looking into, especially if you love animals (you can care for small rodents and fish, too!), and/​or have experience working with folks with HIV/​AIDS or other debilitating illnesses.

From their website ’cause they say it best:
Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) is a volunteer-​based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for low-​income persons with HIV/​AIDS and other disabling illnesses. By providing these essential support services, educating the larger community on the benefits of the human-​animal bond, and advocating for the rights of disabled individuals to keep service animals, PAWS improves the health and well-​being of disabled individuals and the animals in their lives.
As a volunteer for PAWS SF, you can walk dogs, pet cats, deliver food or do administrative work for an organization that desperately needs the assistance. Volunteering at PAWS is one of the most enriching, rewarding things that I do with my life and life is all about helping each other (well, and eating) so anyway, if you have a little extra time (or money!), this would be a great place to spend it.