As PAALS begins our eighth year of service I find myself reflecting on all that has been put into making these life changing canines possible. Since last year we have become the only ADI (Assistance Dog International) accredited assistance dog program based in SC. PAALS is also the only AAII (Animal Assisted Interventions International) program in our state. Many of our community programs have become the leader in the AAII field and I have the privilege to serve on the AAII International Board of Directors. PAALS AAII activities includes Summer PAALS (2013 was our seventh summer of Doggone Days of Summer Camp); our second year of after school programming, Reading PAALS at local libraries (aka Paws for Reading); PAALS Patriots; our PAALS internship program and Prison PAALS, All of these activities have occurred while we continue to provide assistance dogs to people with disabilities in need.

We have also grown our PAALS family through adding another apprentice trainer, Nick Borsellino, and administrative assistants, Rose Walker and Teri Hare. Maureen Leary, our instructor, finished her apprenticeship. She completed the advanced training of the two PAALS dogs placed new Assistance Dog teams this year! PAALS also added an externship mentorship program for the Animal Behavioral College. We also continued our regular internship programs, teaching interns that share a semester with PAALS in Columbia throughout the year. Our inmates at Kershaw Correctional Institution have also formalized their learning by participating in PAALS Department of Labor Apprenticeship program, which will allow men who finish their time to have a nationally recognized certificate to apply towards work in our field.

I am also happy to report we are serving more rescues and veterans through our V.I.P. program (Veterans Important PAALS). At the same time PAALS has joined an ADI breeding co-op in an effort to find the best possible dogs to serve those with disabilities who require an assistance dog with public access.

I cannot say enough about how critical PAALS success is to all of our staff (most of whom foster dogs in addition to their paid time), volunteers (including our Prison PAALS instructor, Sheri Jordan), and community supporters. My family also deserves a large thank you. We recently added three more children into our family and they share me and their home with PAALS. They live with up to 20 dogs in training and spend many weekends at PAALS events and booths.

There is still so much to do in our community. PAALS is running out of space and is in much need of an independent facility. I hope our successes in 2013 inspire you to help us reach our next goal to ensure that all in need get the help they deserve.

Of course, God has always steered this ship and it is my hope that we serve as his hands and feet through the work of PAALS and helping others.

Yours in Service,

Jen Rogers

Executive Director and Co-Founder