TEN GOLD NUGGETS. They are the SFM Litter: born to the adoring Sylvie on March 28th, 2026.
These dewey-eyed rapscallions haven’t happened by chance. Their ancestry? Carefully orchestrated by Helping Paws of Eden Prairie. Their initial care? Provided by Mary Tiegen, a Helping Paws volunteer. Their financial needs? Covered in part by SFM Mutual Insurance Company.
Sylvie, of course, had a lot to do with it also.
The SFM Litter are currently spread out across numerous other volunteers’ homes, receiving training in accordance with Assistance Dogs International’s exacting standards. Some will become of inestimable help to people who have physical disabilities. Others, steadfast companions to veterans and first responders living with service-related PTSD. A few may even work in courthouses, mental health facilities, and other places that could use brightening by the world’s sunniest faces.
“When they’re born, they’re about the size of an avocado,” said Jonathan Kramer of Helping Paws. “Totally blind. Equally deaf. Just squeaking, wriggling furballs who know how to do two things only: eat, and sleep. Amazingly, they’re able to begin training when they’re only three weeks old, which is when we start familiarizing them with new sounds, textures, and people so they can learn to stay calm anyplace.
“We’re grateful to everyone who volunteers to help desensitize our puppies, as well as those who house and love them during their initial two years of training. Naturally, anyone who donates funding to our nonprofit organization holds our highest admiration as well.
“But the SFM Litter? They’re special. They’re the first batch of Helping Paws puppies to have been sponsored at the ground level by one of our corporate partners: the very same workers’ comp experts they’re named after.”
“As a member of the Minnesota Keystone Program, we have committed to donating two percent of our pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations,” said Megan McGowan of SFM. “We have donated to Helping Paws for some years now, and are consistently impressed by everything they do. Their leadership ensures every dollar received goes straight to where it can do the most good, and has gone so far as to push legislation that facilitates their dogs’ access to public places. Their volunteers give selflessly of themselves, usually covering the dogs’ many expenses out of pocket. Their clients, who receive dogs free of charge, have shared deeply touching stories about the difference they make in their lives. And the dogs themselves? Words simply cannot describe such sweet little souls.
“All in all, it’s just a whole lot of goodness that we’re truly fortunate to be a small part of.
“And that gives SFM a great deal to celebrate. We recently hosted Puppy-Palooza – a baby shower for the litter, where we celebrated our special partnership with Helping Paws while donating much-needed items for the new litter, and pledging our time as desensitizers and homes as hosts. We are also one of several supporters of Helping Paws’ annual 5K at Purgatory Creek Pavilion, where upward of 100 people unite to applaud the nonprofit’s life-changing work. Teller, the Helping Paws dog who has become SFM’s unofficial mascot, attends all our fundraising events in a handsome blue bowtie!
“Helping Paws’ lovely assistance dogs have undoubtedly brought our team closer together. They have given us a deeper sense of connection to our community, and shown us miraculous rewards for our efforts. If your own organization is looking for a nonprofit partnership, then I couldn’t recommend Helping Paws more wholeheartedly. This is what it means to do good.”
Help Helping Paws transform more lives. When your company sponsors a litter of impossibly cute goldens or Labs, you’ll make angels. Visit HelpingPaws.org or call (952) 988-9359 to learn more!