Certain evils aren’t namable in Eden Prairie Lifestyle. One was committed against an 8-year-old girl in St. Cloud, and continued until she confided in her teacher at the age of 16.
The girl’s courtroom testimony was five hours through darkness. She might have frozen had it not been for the warmth at her feet: a lovely blonde dog with big, marble-black eyes, and an expression that betrays equally total incomprehension and understanding.
This golden retriever, named Nova, was the first assistance dog ever allowed to accompany a young victim to the witness stand in Minnesota. It was an occasion made even more momentous by the 30-year sentence which followed. It was also a testament to one of the greatest goods that will ever be celebrated in this magazine.
Helping Paws is a volunteer-based non-profit with over 35 years of experience breeding, training and placing assistance dogs throughout Minnesota and bordering areas of surrounding states. Their mission is to further individuals’ independence and quality of life by matching assistance dogs to people with physical disabilities, veterans and first responders with service-related PTSD, and health care, educational, first response and courthouse professionals. Upon the grand opening of their new headquarters on May 5th, 2024, Helping Paws officially became a member of the Eden Prairie community.
“I am the mother of two children with special needs,” said Alyssa Golob. “My older son, Elijah, who has autism, was kicked out of school for the final time when he was in sixth grade. He became depressed, as anyone would, at the prospect of having to complete so many more school years alone, but our family dog Mia helped lift him out of it. I truly believe their incredible bond saved Elijah’s life.
“I had spent 20 years in the non-profit world when I learned Helping Paws needed an executive director. Having already witnessed the power of dog firsthand, I knew this was where I belonged.”
Why does Helping Paws exclusively train goldens and Labs? “Because they’re gentle, athletic, adaptable, intelligent, empathetic, and characteristically enthusiastic about fetching,” said Alyssa. “They are also endlessly loyal – but unlike almost all other breeds, they can easily begin to love a new person without feeling abandoned by their previous one.”
The retriever’s fathomless affection for all of humanity is indispensable to Helping Paws’ system. It takes two-and-a-half years to turn a bumbling puppy into a competent dog. Whenever a trainee isn’t learning how to conduct themself in public, perform complex series of commands, and adjust their surroundings to someone else’s benefit, they are cared for by a volunteer.
“The people who foster our dogs are the most selfless I’ve ever met,” said Alyssa. “They have saved us millions of dollars on food and veterinary care so far, and are the only reason why we can provide dogs valued at up to $35,000 free of charge.
“More than anything, it takes a special kind of person to take in – and unavoidably love – a dog they will say goodbye to so soon. To our volunteers, that sadness is nothing compared to what they feel when they hand a leash over to someone who needs what’s at the end of it far more than they do.
“An assistance dog isn’t just a helper and companion to someone with a physical disability. I recently spoke with one of our volunteers, Sam, who uses a wheelchair and has been paired with one of our dogs. She said she used to feel ignored when she was out in public – like she was seen as some unpleasant reminder of what can happen to others if they aren’t fortunate. But now that she has the dog, people rush over to meet her. They see her. It’s the ripple effect of a Helping Paws dog: spreading inclusion, tolerance and friendship wherever they go.
“One of our clients, Aric, is a combat veteran who was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other war zones during his 25 years of military service. When he returned home to his wife and kids, he essentially went into his basement and didn’t come out again. He was diagnosed with severe anxiety, PTSD, and a musculoskeletal condition shortly after his honorable discharge.
“Aric didn’t think he needed an assistance dog – until he met Minnie. Now he can attend his kids’ hockey games without getting triggered when the puck hits the wall. He is back in the workforce, as a preschool teacher, with Minnie always at his side. She has even given Aric the assurance he needs to enjoy watching Fourth of July fireworks again. All of that, from a single black Lab.”
Helping Paws placed 16 assistance dogs during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Their staff and volunteers hope to nearly quadruple the number of lives they change each year by 2027. It will be a group effort – not just by the non-profit’s staff and dogs, but by the good people who surround Helping Paws as well. If you wish to donate your time, love or money to the power of dog, please visit helpingpaws.org.
"A dog has one aim in life... to bestow his heart."
– J.R. Ackerley
WITNESS THE POWER OF DOG
Helping Paws regularly works to help educate the public about assistance dogs, including how the dogs enhance the lives of people with disabilities, veterans with PTSD, and the community at large. They are available to conduct special presentations for service organizations, schools, clubs, corporations, and other social gatherings. Demonstrations may be 30 to 60 minutes long or customized to fit other needs, and include:
- An overview of Helping Paws: who they are and what they do
- How Helping Paws trains dogs using only positive reinforcement
- Examples of skills that assistance dogs learn and use on a daily basis
If you would like to schedule a presentation, please visit helpingpaws.org/community-outreach.