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Paws Giving Independence NFP

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United States
Peoria, IL
Paws Giving Independence NFP

Saving a life to change a life. Our purpose is to train service/facility dogs and place them free of charge. Visit our website for more info!

Paws Giving Independence is run completely on public donations. We are unique because our service dogs are placed free of charge and we currently have no paid staff. That is why we need your help to keep our program running. Many of our dogs are all rescued from shelters but we need your support to pay for the vet bills and everyday care.

11/04/2024

If you have questions about service or facility dogs stop by our booth tonight at the Dunlap Resource fair.

11/04/2024

🙏 We’re incredibly grateful for our amazing volunteers who helped make our annual re-certification tests a success the past few weekends! From community dog walk-bys, child petting, strangers approaching from behind, to shopping carts rolling up close, there were so many skills for our service dogs to master. 🐾

Thanks to each volunteer’s time, patience, and support, these dogs were able to shine and show off their hard work! We couldn’t have done it without you all. 💙 Your dedication helps ensure these pups are ready for anything!

11/04/2024

👏 Let’s celebrate our third group of service dogs who have officially passed their annual re-certification! 🐶🌟 These incredible pups have shown heart, commitment, and skill, reminding us every day of the life-changing impact they bring to those they support. We couldn’t be prouder!

A big shoutout to our dedicated trainers, volunteers, and supporters who help make this journey possible. Here’s to another year of amazing teamwork and transformation! 💙

11/04/2024

🎉 A round of applause for our second group of service dogs who have successfully passed their annual re-certification! 🐾🌠 These amazing dogs continue to inspire us with their dedication, loyalty, and hard work in making a difference every single day. We’re so proud of everything they’ve achieved!

Thank you to our wonderful trainers, volunteers, and everyone in our community for your support in helping these dogs reach their full potential. Here’s to another year of changing lives together! 💙

11/04/2024

🎉 Congratulations to our amazing group of dogs who have passed their annual re-certification test! 🐾✨ These incredible service dogs continue to show their dedication and hard work every day, making a difference in the lives of those they serve. We’re so proud of all the progress they’ve made and can’t wait to see them keep shining in their roles! 🌟

Thank you to our trainers, volunteers, and supporters who help make these achievements possible. Together, we’re building a stronger, more supportive community! 💙

11/03/2024

Donor Highlight!!

PGI is beyond grateful for all of our long-term and recurring donors who support our mission of “ saving a life to change a life”

Today, we’d like to shine a spotlight on First Federated Church, JIMAX Group of Illinois, and Subaru of America, Inc. at Uftring Subaru Uftring Automall

Your continuous support mean the world to all of us at PGI!! Thank you for helping us make a difference❤️🐕‍🦺🦮

11/02/2024

Don't forget to go to Fox Pub and Cafe 7800 N. Sommer Street Peoria, IL today and support PGI. They are donating 15% of today's sales to PGI. Lucy had a wonderful lunch!!

11/02/2024

SANTAS COMING TO TOWN🥳🤭

We’re busy getting everything ready for Santa’s big arrival in 21 days! Get your holiday outfits ready and support a great cause.

PGI operates fully on fundraising and volunteer support of our community. Join our mission and receive beautiful, digital photos of your furry four foots for this year's Christmas card! Get the edited photo in one week, guaranteeing time for your Christmas orders. 100% of the cost is donated back to PGI by our generous photographer, Cheryl Linton, of Legacies’ Photography located in East Peoria, IL. Here is a glance of her amazing work!!!

Date: November 23, 2024
Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
Location: My Dog’s Bakery
4100 W Willow Knolls Drive, Peoria, IL
Investment: $25 per dog
Link for sign up in advance:https://givingindependence.org/photos-with-santa/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGQvLBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHfCMnfX-X-3UcchNcvhdgjcCI7c8ft4N4bcR0Di76rsX8BqEjqIT7GRsqQ_aem_l0ZGnvRRAmKAL-slI_wD-g
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11/01/2024

Paisley is a big fan of sweater weather and she looks gorgeous in it too! 🍁🐾🧡

Did you know our pups practice wearing a variety of clothing, like boots and sweaters?! Yep, learning to be comfortable in clothing is a big part of the training process! Assistance dogs must be comfortable wearing vests and other equipment, which help identify them and support their handlers, as well as wearing boots to protect their paws from the elements outside!

A HUGE thank you to those who have supported our program and pups, especially those who have donated to our fundraisers raising money for our pups’ equipment! 🐕‍🦺
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10/31/2024

Help change lives! 🐾

Meet Nemo, one of our service dogs in training, currently in the Helping Paws Program. Thanks to supporters like you, one day he can help someone out in need! Order your t-shirt by November 8th and help more dogs like Nemo make a difference! 🐕‍🦺

Link to order: https://givingindependence.org/product-category/fundraiser-2/
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10/30/2024

Exciting News❗️

This November marks Fox Pub and Cafe 15th anniversary, and to celebrate they are giving back to the community. Every Saturday in November, they will host a "Spotlight Saturday," where they will spotlight a local charity and donate 15% of their food sales for the day to that community group!

For this first Saturday of November from 9am-9pm, Fox Pub and Cafe has chosen Paws Giving Independence. Join us and Fox Pub and Cafe to celebrate their 15th year anniversary and as it also is the last day for their extended patio, you can bring your furry friends to, hang out on the patio, and make it a memorable day!

See everyone there!! Thank you Fox Pub and Cafe!
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Fox Pub and Cafe

10/29/2024

🎉 Huge congratulations to our first group of dogs for passing their Assistance Dogs International (ADI) recertification for public work! 🐾✨

Training a service dog takes dedication, but maintaining and continuing that training is equally important. Thank you to our amazing team, handlers, and volunteers who make this possible. Your hard work ensures these incredible dogs are always ready to support their handlers in public and beyond! 💙

ADI - Assistance Dogs International idoc_illinois

10/29/2024

Furlough friends! 🥰

Paisley got to hangout with some furry friends while she was out on furlough last week. She loved getting to meet new pals and have fun play dates! 🐾
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10/27/2024

Did you hear the news?!?!?

Santa’s coming to support PGI at My Dog’s Bakery 4100 W Willow Knolls Drive, Peoria, IL! Join us on Nov 23,2024 at 10am- 2pm for a special ‘Pictures with Santa’ fundraiser supporting Paws Giving Independence.

Paws Giving Independence NFP operates fully on fundraising and volunteer support of our community. Join our mission and receive beautiful, digital photos of your furry four foots for this year's Christmas card! Get the edited photo in one week, guaranteeing time for your Christmas orders. 100% of the cost is donated back to PGI by our generous photographer, Cheryl Linton, of Legacies’ Photography located in East Peoria, IL.

For just $25 per dog, get a professional photo taken and enjoy supporting an amazing mission of " saving a life to change a life"! No RSVP required!

Link for more information:https://givingindependence.org/photos-with-santa/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGKhd5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZRabyW801LkrCIC9y3r8ZuA7XGvUonboSsFNADNzxiJHyRW3GUkC6uAAQ_aem_oXABVnK0M31_yMihgdpkZQ
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10/25/2024

🌟 Big thanks to WTVP for featuring Paws Giving Independence in an upcoming episode of You Gotta See This which will air in November! We’re excited to share our mission and the amazing work we do with our community. Stay tuned for details on when to watch! 📺🐾 wtvp_pbs

10/25/2024

Marshall has been loving the fall weather! 🍁

Marshall had the opportunity to go for a beautiful hike when he had a day off from his facility dog duties! This is a wonderful way for him to decompress and relax from all of his hard work! 🐕‍🦺
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10/24/2024

Graduation Alert!! 🚨

Congratulations to Arlo and his handler on becoming a working team! Arlo is officially a facility dog supporting children in schools with a variety of needs! Amazing work to everyone involved in Arlo’s training from his puppy raiser, reverse furlough trainers, transition trainers, and anyone who has worked with him! Arlo is off to do great things! 🐾
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10/23/2024

T-SHIRTS! 🐕‍🦺

Don’t miss out on your chance to get a PGI t-shirt! Every shirt sold helps Paws Giving Independence train service dogs, giving individuals with disabilities more independence. Place your order by November 8th and make a difference today! 🐾

Link to order: https://givingindependence.org/product-category/fundraiser-2/
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10/22/2024

Dog Diary 🐾📚

A message from Mr. Rocky:

I was delighted to take part in National Walk or Bike to School Day by welcoming students as they arrived to school.

Here I am showing off my new t-shirt to
commemorate the day! Aren’t I handsome?!
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10/21/2024

Furlough Festivities 🥳

Furlough week calls for fun activities! This past week, all of our furlough dogs had a fun packed week of going many different places and getting exposure to new things and meeting new friends!!

What is furlough?

PGI partners with Logan correctional Cbeter and their Helping Paws Training Program! This allows the dogs to have targeted training conducted 24/7 but their amazing trainers there! Once a month, for a week PGI dogs come out from the Logan Correctional Center to student trainers and community members. This allows the dogs to get exposure to new environments!
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10/20/2024

The best work days look like this! 🙌

Mango is doing a great job with the cue “settle”. When given this cue, Mango knows it’s time to lay down and get comfortable. She’s taking this opportunity for a quick snooze, but is also remaining alert in case her handler needs her! Great work Mango! 🐕‍🦺
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10/18/2024

🎉 Today, we celebrate Marty as he heads to Helping Paws! 🐾 A big shoutout to his amazing puppy raiser for all the love, hard work, and dedication that went into helping him grow into the incredible dog he is. We know it’s tough to see him go, but Marty is on his way to doing BIG things, making a difference in the lives of others. 💙 We can’t wait to see all he accomplishes!

10/18/2024

The wait is over! Our dog-themed t-shirt fundraiser is officially live! 🐕 All proceeds go directly to Paws Giving Independence (PGI) to help train service dogs for individuals with disabilities. Order your shirt by November 8 and support this amazing cause!

Link to order: https://givingindependence.org/product-category/fundraiser-2/

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10/17/2024

We’ve got something paws-itively amazing coming soon! Get ready to show your love for dogs and support an incredible cause—stay tuned for details! 🐾

Address

PO Box 9572
Peoria, IL
61612

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 8pm
Tuesday	9am - 8pm
Wednesday	9am - 8pm
Thursday	9am - 8pm
Friday	9am - 8pm
Saturday	9am - 8pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://givingindependence.org/

Alerts

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Videos

“🚒🐕‍🦺 Every year, our service dogs-in-training visit the Dunlap Fire House for a crucial part of their education! This training allows our dogs to become comfortable around the loud sounds, unfamiliar equipment, and bustling environment of a fire station. Why is this so important? In real-life situations, our service dogs need to stay calm and focused, even in emergency settings. By familiarizing them with these unique experiences, we’re ensuring they’re ready to support their future handlers in any situation. Thank you to Dunlap Fire House for helping us prepare these amazing dogs! #ServiceDogs #FireHouseTraining #PreparedForAnything”

BEEP BEEP! 🚙🐾 Check out our new Paws Giving Independence truck! Thank you so much to our amazing sponsors: JIMAX Group of Illinois for purchasing and repairing the truck, CJ Signs, for designing and wrapping the truck and BestDrive USA in Morton for donating the new tires! Our long-time sponsor, JIMAX, coordinated everyone for the last two months and we couldn’t be more thankful for this beyond generous gift. This truck will help our furlough dogs get to where they need to go! It will be used to transport the dogs back and forth from the Illinois Department of Corrections for monthly furloughs. Thank you everyone! • • • #servicesdogsintraining #pgidogs #dogs #servicedogs #servicedogsofinstagram #dogsofpeoria #pgi

Throwback!🐾 Here is a throwback to Blaze practicing his down stays in class! Blaze is now placed with his handler and works as a facility dog! Although he is placed, Blaze and his handler will still attend classes from time to time so Blaze can keep up with his skills! • • • #servicesdogsintraining #pgidogs #dogs #servicedogs #servicedogsofinstagram #dogsofpeoria #pgi

Dog Diaries🐾📔 Hi! Bunker here - I am LOVING my job at the Grundy County State's Attorney's Office. I get to go to work every day with Mom and make new friends. We work with victims and witnesses on cases that come through the State's Attorney's Office and help prepare them for trial. Sometimes we work with adults and other times we work with kids who have had something bad happen to them. My biggest job is to help comfort whoever we are working with that day. Sometimes we even get to travel to the Children's Advocacy Center to help the kids that come in for forensic interviews. Everyone at work tells me that I am doing a great job. When we aren't at work, I get to be a normal farm dog. I love playing fetch, running around outside, and watching my chickens. I will keep you updated on my adventures! Bye for now! • • • Bunker the Facility Dog #servicesdogsintraining #pgidogs #dogs #servicedogs #servicedogsofinstagram #dogsofpeoria #pgi Illinois Department of Corrections

🐾 Meet Paisley, a incredible service dog in training! 🐶 She's not just any furry companion – Paisley is trained to assist her person if she start feeling dizzy. With a simple command of "find a chair," she quickly locates the nearest seat in a public setting, ensuring my safety and comfort. Paisley isn't just a pet; she's a lifeline. Grateful for her unwavering support every day! ❤️👏 #ServiceDog #PawsitiveSupport #PaisleyTheHero

Service dogs are amazing! 🐶

See how Paisley and her friends help people in need. You can help these pups in training with their heartworm prevention meds by donating at www.givingindependence.org/month-o-love #servicesdogsintraining #pgidogs #dogs #servicedogs #servicedogsoffacebook #dogsofpeoria #pgi #ValentinesFundraiser

🌟🐾 A huge shoutout to Central Illinois Regional Airport for their incredible support and hospitality in allowing our service dogs in training to practice in your premises! Pax and Oliver took a trip to the airport🛫🐕 Your generosity and understanding make a world of difference in preparing these future service dogs for their vital roles. 🌟👏 We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to enhance our training program in such a realistic and invaluable environment. 🙏🐾 Thank you for being an essential part of our journey to empowering individuals of all abilities! 🌟💼 #AirportGratitude #ServiceDogsInTraining #EmpoweringCommunities 🛫🐾 Sampson the Service Dog in Science

Working Wednesday🐕‍🦺🐾 When Oliver came out of Helping Paws, he was nervous on stairs. Helping Paws does not have long flights of stairs. His transition trainer has been working very hard using positive confidence building to get him comfortable with the stairs! Our transition trainers are community volunteers and even student trainers at Illinois State University and Bradley University who have dedicated their time to the final stage of the dog’s training. Our trainers attend weekly classes and help prepare the dog for their future of being a service dog! Without our volunteers and students trainers, this work could not be done If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, feel free to take a look at our website! Link- https://givingindependence.org/volunteer/ • • • #servicesdogsintraining #pgidogs #dogs #servicedogs #servicedogsofinstagram #dogsofpeoria #pgi

HAPPY NEW YEAR✨ On behalf of everyone at PGI, we would like to thank everyone for an amazing past year!! We are beyond excited to see what 2024 brings us to help continue our mission of “ Saving a Life to Change a Life”❤️🐾 • • • #servicesdogsintraining #pgidogs #dogs #servicedogs #servicedogsofinstagram #dogsofpeoria #pgi

We are celebrating the hard work and dedication of the 20 dogs who passed their annual Recertification tests! 🐾🎉 Awesome work teams! First 10 pups!

We are celebrating the hard work and dedication of the 20 dogs who passed their annual Recertification tests! 🐾🎉 Awesome work teams! Thank you to Hy-Vee Orange Prairie for always being so welcoming to our dogs!!! Next group of 10!