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At Fig, we believe in the power of a community that works together to identify needs and find solutions—one that creates connections and is passionate about helping its neighbors. For our 2018 Social Mission Partner, we’ve chosen Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services (PAALS), an impactful non-profit whose good works contribute immensely to our thriving, local community.
PAALS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is committed to enriching and empowering children and adults with physical disabilities and social needs by training service animals and providing animal assisted educational and recreational activities.
The success of the PAALS program is due in large part to the family of volunteers that help raise and train each PAALS puppy, assist with fundraising and events, and more. These volunteers, no matter how many hours, days, or weekends that they have available to volunteer, make a huge impact in each puppy’s life. One way to volunteer at PAALS is to become a Weekend Foster for one of the puppies.
The Weekend Foster volunteer is incredibly important to the PAALS program—these volunteers help establish the foundation of training and socialization that’s critical to a service dog’s future success. Each Friday afternoon, Weekend Foster volunteers pick up a puppy or dog for the weekend where they will provide a safe and loving home, teach and enforce basic obedience, and encourage proper house manners. It’s the ideal situation for someone who’s work week might be too busy to take on the responsibility of a full-time dog, but who absolutely loves to be around them!
These volunteers are extra special at PAALS—loving on a sweet, adorable puppy is a very easy thing to do but they know how difficult it can be to have to say goodbye after spending several months or a year with one. The biggest part of this volunteer position is that at the end of the day, you were dedicated to helping someone who needs that dog for safety, confidence, and independence. The real reward comes when you see how special the dog is to the person they are placed with!
To learn more about Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services or to sign up as a Weekend Foster, contact PAALS at 803.788.7063 or visit paals.org.
