Looking Back: PAWS With a Cause and the Power of Community Giving
Each year, Chipping for Charity brings together golfers, volunteers, and community partners for a day of fun and philanthropy. Our annual golf outing is more than just a day on the course—it’s an opportunity to support a local nonprofit making a meaningful impact in West Michigan. In 2024, EHTC was proud to partner with PAWS With a Cause, an organization that trains and places custom assistance dogs for individuals with disabilities. Today, we’re reflecting on that experience, sharing how your generosity made a difference, and inviting you to join us again in 2025 as we tee off for this year’s charity partner, AYA Youth Collective.
What Is PAWS With a Cause?
Founded in Michigan and now serving clients nationwide, PAWS With a Cause (PAWS) is driven by a powerful mission: to enhance the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities through custom-trained assistance dogs.
Four service dogs from PAWS With a Cause pose for a photo at the 2024 outing’s Meet & Greet.
PAWS trains several types of dogs to meet individual needs, including:
Service dogs for mobility support
Seizure response dogs
Autism service dogs for children
Hearing dogs for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
Facility dogs placed in schools, hospitals, and therapy programs
What makes PAWS truly unique is their custom training model. Unlike organizations that use training protocols standardized across the board, PAWS meets with each client to understand their specific needs and environment. Then, they match and train a dog to perform the exact tasks required, whether that’s responding to a baby’s cry, opening doors, or assisting during a medical episode. The result is a life-changing, personalized partnership.
Chipping for Charity 2024
PAWS was introduced to EHTC by a member of our team whose aunt and late uncle have volunteered to raise foster puppies for PAWS in the past. That connection sparked a meaningful collaboration; after applying and being selected as the 2024 charity partner, PAWS joined us for a memorable day on the course.
Eight volunteers from PAWS attended the event, accompanied by their dogs—including service dogs, ambassador dogs, and facility therapy teams. Golfers met the pups, took photos, and participated in interactive contests like “Pick the Treat Bowl,” which added fun and fundraising to the mix.
PAWS staff and their service animals receiving the proceeds of Chipping for Charity 2024.
According to Kristy Blackmore, Special Events Manager at PAWS, “Everyone that volunteered from PAWS said it was one of the best-run and most fun charity golf outings they had attended or volunteered. The golfers were very generous and helped raise $22,000!”
Considering EHTC initially had to reschedule the event due to weather, we are extremely grateful to have hosted a smooth and enjoyable event. It’s all thanks to the incredible commitment of our team, golfers, and charity partners.
Changing Lives with Assistance Dogs
Training a custom assistance dog is no small feat. The full process—from puppyhood through certification—takes up to two-and-a-half years and costs around $35,000 per dog. That cost covers everything: food, grooming, veterinary care, public access training, adaptive equipment, and specialized task training. And yet, clients never pay a dime. PAWS covers 100% of the cost through donations, grants, and community support.
The $22,000 raised by Chipping for Charity 2024 helped support multiple clients in this process, including Patricia and her service dog, Frasier, a standard poodle trained specifically to meet her needs (including retrieving the phone and opening doors). Beyond that team, the funds helped cover food, vaccinations, training equipment, and vet care for an estimated 25 to 50 dogs at various stages of their training journey.
Patricia, a client of PAWS With a Cause, was matched with her service dog, Frasier, due in part to Chipping for Charity 2024.
As Sidney Baxter, Communications Manager at PAWS, shared, “Financial contributions are always appreciated, but it means even more when it comes from a local company like EHTC. Community support is huge for us here and makes our mission possible.”
What’s New for PAWS in 2025
PAWS is continuing to grow, and your support is helping to make that possible. Last year, they launched the Embrace the Journey capital campaign, a $10 million initiative to expand and renovate their Wayland, MI campus. This fall, PAWS will unveil:
A new and improved training facility
Additional kennels to house more dogs
Expanded space for their veterinary and volunteer programs
They’re also doubling down on volunteer recruitment, especially for foster puppy raisers—those generous individuals who care for PAWS puppies in their earliest stage of life.
And for those looking to connect with PAWS in person, their 2025 event calendar includes:
Hats and Hounds (May 22nd): A dog-friendly night of games, food, drinks, and community
Retriever Fever (September 20th): A full day of activities including a 5K park run, music, food trucks, and more
Join Us in 2025: Support AYA Youth Collective
As we look ahead to Chipping for Charity 2025, EHTC is excited to support a new partner: AYA Youth Collective, a West Michigan nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth facing housing instability and homelessness.
Proceeds from Chipping for Charity 2025 will go directly towards AYA’s core programming, including a drop-in resource center and 12 supportive housing facilities.
Just as we saw with PAWS, your sponsorships, donations, and golfer registrations can have a profound impact. Whether you’re a returning supporter or new to the event, we invite you to register to golf and become a sponsor as we tee off for AYA.
Community giving is what powers nonprofits like PAWS and AYA. Together, we’re helping to build a stronger, more connected West Michigan.
Thank You
We’re so grateful to the team at PAWS With a Cause for sharing their time, their stories, and of course, their amazing service dogs. And to our golfers, sponsors, and staff—thank you for making Chipping for Charity more than just a golf outing. Simply put, you’re helping to change lives.
To learn more about PAWS or get involved with their work, visit pawswithacause.org. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for this year’s charity outing—we’ll see you at Quail Ridge Golf Club on June 24th!
