Nonprofit breaks ground on $9.5 million HQ renovation

Aug 30

Paws With A Cause (PAWS) held a groundbreaking celebration on August 27 for its $9.5 million facility renovation project. The groundbreaking came after launching the public phase of the Embrace the Journey capital campaign in April 2024. Embrace the Journey is the first-ever community capital campaign for the nonprofit in nearly 45 years of operation. The renovations to its headquarters, located at 4646 Division Ave S. in Wayland, will help serve more clients with disabilities through custom-trained assistance dogs.

“Through the PAWS custom-matching process, I received my hearing dog, Mater, an Assistance Dog that was custom-trained to help with exactly what I needed and specially chosen to fit seamlessly into my life. The PAWS team worked with me to understand what sounds I needed MATER to alert me to – my alarm clock, my kitchen oven, my cell phone – and the most important thing, my baby crying,” said Molly Koroleski, PAWS Client and Treasurer of the Board of Directors. “These renovations will allow PAWS to match and custom-train more assistance dogs like Mater for clients like me.“

PAWS has outgrown the facilities the organization has been operating out of since 1994. Few improvements have been made over the years, and there isn’t sufficient space to continue increasing the number of assistance dogs trained. The upgrades focus on five major areas: a modernized training center, improved ADA accessibility, an upgraded veterinary clinic, a new training space called “canine village,” and renovated breeding and foster puppy spaces.

The project is being completed by Dan Vos Construction Company, Journey Construction Group, and FMD Architects.

“Our staff and dogs will benefit from these renovations, but the ones who will benefit most are our current and future clients. We know how important a PAWS Assistance Dog is to a person with a disability. One of our favorite moments at PAWS is sending a dog home with their client, which almost always ends in happy tears. Those moments show us how truly life-changing an Assistance Dog is and inspires us to do more,” said Michele Suchovsky, PAWS Chief Executive Officer.

The facility improvements needed to support the expansion of PAWS’ mission will cost $9.5 million to complete. PAWS has raised over $8.6 million in charitable gifts towards the campaign goal. With less than $1 million to go, PAWS is looking to their community to share the news and get involved.

“What started as a simple goal to serve more clients four years ago has become a $9.5 million campaign and a facility renovation project that begins today,” Suchovsky said. “We are one step closer to providing independence, confidence, and companionship for more people with disabilities through the partnership of a PAWS Assistance Dog.”

To learn more and support the Embrace the Journey campaign, please visit: www.pawswithacause.org/embrace-the-journey/