How Sponsorship Works
Because we are sure you will have questions about how you can sponsor a service dog, we've answered the most common questions and concerns here. If you have other questions, concerns, ideas or suggestions, Please e-mail us. Thank you for taking the time to find out how to Be a part of a very special team.

Is Paws To Freedom a non profit and will I get a tax deduction?
Paws To Freedom is not a non-profit at this time. (However, we will be applying for status soon.) Mara is simply the clearing house. No payments are made to Mara directly. When you decide that you would like to partake in sponsorship, you will be matched with a service dog team. The person in the team will be the person that you personally will deal with in supporting their dog. This is much more personal in sponsorship and you will know your sponsored team.

How will I know the money is being spent as I intended?
All person's of a service dog team are encouraged not to receive cash donations. You are encouraged to make payments directly to those providing a service such as a veterinarian or a product vendor. Items purchased over the internet can be drop shipped to the team. You are not asked to give any funds directly to them. Your Sponsorship gift can be given directly where you want it to go or you can purchase items and give them the needed items. This is explained clearly later on this page. In some instances the purchase of a dog for training may be needed.

How do I know that the person's dog really is in training to be a Service Dog and that the person really has Disabilities?
All service dog teams that go through the Paws to Freedom Assistance Dog Program, are first required to have a prescription from their physician as to their disability and needs for a service dog. You will only be matched with a service dog team that has fulfilled this requirement.

What if I give something they don't really need?
We ask that you contact your person to be sure the item or service is still needed. If it is not and you are still interested in helping a Service Dog Team, you may be referred to another team with that need.

What is a real Service Dog? I thought there were just Guide Dogs?
There are many types of service dogs assisting people with disabilities. To read about the different types of service dogs, read the assistance dog pages on our site. Another very good source for this information is The Delta Society.

How Sponsorship Works

Training - Veterinary Care - Food - Other Supplies

When you decide that you would like to sponsor a service dog with a specific service, you can make your contribution directly to that service provider under the owner-trainer's name and specify for the use of their service dog. They will provide a credit to the dog's account and the contribution will be used as it is needed. You can also give specific items. Each team will have differing needs, so contact with your service dog team is the clearest way for people to know what they are giving is being used as they wanted, and also for the service dog or service dog in training's needs.

Examples

Veterinary Care: You could make a contribution directly to the veterinarian so that there is a credit which can be used for emergency or preventive care.
Training: You could make a contribution directly to a Service Dog Trainer so that the owner-trainer can receive the necessary assistance in training their service do to assist them.
Products & Items: If there are specific needs of the service dog team that you are interested in sponsoring, we can provide you with connections that may offer the best prices for the item(s).

Contact Us

Email: freelysd@juno.com

Phone: 503-231-2555

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