PAWS TO FREEDOM
Assistance Dog Team Training

Teaching People with Disabilities
to train their own Assistance Dogs
by Building Peaceable Partnerships to Independence

Paws to Freedom
Assistance Dog Training Program

If you are in the Portland, Oregon area, have a disability,
and would like assistance in training your own service dog,
please contact Mara Windstar, CPDT, SAC of
Paws To Freedom Assistance Dog Training Program.

The Paws to Freedom program uses clicker training (positive reinforcement) as the training method. Mara teaches people to train their own assistance dog to mitigate their disability. The program is designed in phases of first community manner skills, proceeding with public access skills and then training for the assistance tasks that will aid the person in their daily life activities.

During each phase, the team is tested to make sure that the trained behaviors are consistent and that the team is progressing as needed to be working together as a confident team. Throughout the entire process, there are monthly reports which include observation of the dog for confidence, temperament and making sure that the dog is comfortable and able to be well suited in the working role. Safety and welfare for the dog, handler and public are important.

At this time Paws to Freedom is at capacity for training teams.
If you would like to fill out an application to have on file when an opening comes available
please contact Mara

More info on Assistance Dog Training