First, create a perfect little angel (also known as a puppy). Next, fill that puppy’s head with good ideas until they become a helpful dog. Finally, give that life-changing companion away to a person with a disability, or a veteran or first responder with PTSD.
Repeat this process hundreds more times over the course of 36 years. Congrats! You have now matched the good Helping Paws has done for the world.
It costs Helping Paws $35,000 to raise a single assistance dog. After this year’s Tail Waggin' Dinner, which welcomed around 475 guests to the McNamara Alumni Center on September 28th, the Eden Prairie nonprofit can afford to change eight more lives.
“It was our most successful Tail Waggin' Dinner to date,” said Jonathan Kramer, marketing manager for Helping Paws. “In addition to ticket sales, the plated dinner raised funds through live and silent auctions, as well as games like ‘drinko plinko’ and ‘scoop blitz.’
“I’m still in awe of our guests’ generosity. Every live auction winner immediately gave their prize to one of the volunteers who helps us raise dogs. Everyone in attendance was floored when one of our guests suddenly rose to commemorate her late friend by making a speech and $10,000 donation in their honor.
“Our theme this year was ‘Puppies Galore in 2024.’ Members of our recent ‘Valentine’ and ‘Wonder’ litters were present to make puppy dog eyes at our guests. Let’s be honest: They alone deserve almost all the credit for the evening.” helpingpaws.org