News of the Day!!

Meadows Foundation News Release

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs of Rockwall, TX, is delighted to announce it has received a grant from the Meadows Foundation. This grant is partially based on a matching program whereby the Meadows Foundation will provide 2 for 1 funding during the next year. For example, if Patriot PAWS raises $100 dollars from donations, the Meadows Foundation will additionally give $200 dollars.

Patriot PAWS is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that is committed to train service dogs that will enhance the lives of disabled veterans and to provide the same service for other Americans with mobile disabilities. This commitment includes building partnerships within the community which will allow Patriot PAWS to give back to society while enhancing the lives of all individuals involved.

“When I first started Patriot PAWS, I wanted to find a practical, yet positive way to train our dogs”, said Lori Stevens, founder. “What happened next was a huge win for everyone involved,” Stevens stated this week.  In late 2007, Patriot PAWS entered into a partnership with the State of Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to train female inmates to become service dog trainers. The Meadows Foundation grant was approved last month to further help in the development of this program.

Although the prison program is in its formative stages, many individuals have stated that they can see major positive changes in almost everyone associated with the Patriot PAWS/TDCJ partnership. This includes inmates, officers, and prison personnel. Inmates learn an occupation that can be used immediately as a new career path when they are released. Ultimately, inmate service dog trainers, and the volunteers of Patriot Paws, will help to give back the freedoms that were lost to disabled Veterans. With the possibility of a new career opportunity for released inmates, the overall recidivism rate for repeat offenders is expected to be significantly reduced.

The Meadows Foundation of Dallas, TX is among the most recognized private philanthropies in the country.  It was established in 1948 by Algur H. and Virginia Meadows to benefit the people of Texas. The Foundation’s mission is to assist the people and institutions of Texas to improve the quality and circumstances of life for themselves and future generations. Their assets are in excess of $950 million and it has disbursed over $600 million in grants and direct charitable expenditures to over 2,900 Texas institutions and agencies.

Patriot PAWS extends its sincere gratitude to the Meadows Foundation for its support.

Additional information about Patriot PAWS can be found at www.patriotpaws.org. As a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, Patriot PAWS is funded by donations and grants. Contributions are greatly appreciated and can be sent to Patriot PAWS, 811 Yellow Jacket Lane, Rockwall, TX 75087.

~Coming Events~

PATRIOT PAWS WALK IN THE PARK
November 8, 2008
Harry Myers Park
Rockwall, Texas 75087

Don't miss this opportunity to help raise funds for our continuing work!!

NEWS!! TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERS WITH PATRIOT PAWS. To see more information, click the above link.

Lori Stevens receives the Community Builder Award in recognition of distinguished service and personal contributions to the community of Dallas, Texas, and presented by Highland Park Lodge No. 1150, A.F. & A.M.

MORE NEWS! Patriot PAWS went to Washington D.C. and participated at the 2007 Face of America bike rally on April 28-29, 2007. Founder and President Lori Stevens volunteered and performed demos with her dog, Beau, to show what a service dog can do. Disabled veteran Clay Rankin and his dog, Archie, who was trained at Patriot PAWS, also flew in from Colorado to join the festivities.

The Dallas Morning News has recently run an article (authored by Roy Appleton) of Patriot PAWS Service Dogs and the work that this foundation does. Click here to see the February 26, 2007, article.

The NBC5i located in Dallas/Fort Worth has also recently run an article and a video of Patriot PAWS Service Dogs and the work being done.