Helping Paws, Inc.

09/01/2026

Happy Tuesday from Tuesday’s Tails with BCA 🐾👋!!!! Fitz is working on the cue “get dressed”! Right now, he’s working on targeting the nose loop! This will help him succeed in this cue when he’s further in his training. What’s that saying - dress for the job you want, not the job you have?! 😆

09/01/2026

Volunteer to Drive with Helping Paws!
Join us at our next Info Session for D-Uber Drivers!
When: Wed. Sept. 2nd at 6 PM
Where: Helping Paws, Eden Prairie, MN

RSVP Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../60B0849AEAE2FA1FD0...

Our volunteer D-Uber drivers are a critical part of the Helping Paws organization! 💙 This van and our amazing drivers make sure every dog is getting consistent training multiple times per week! There is no minimum commitment to volunteer in this role AND *volunteers sign up as their schedule allows*! Are you looking for a flexible way to make a difference in our community?! Join us for our information session to learn more! 💙

08/31/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our Host Home volunteers! 🐾

When volunteers become a Host Home, they begin with an eight-week introductory class, meeting once a week to learn more about our training program—what we do, how we do it and, most importantly, why we do it.

Volunteer education is an important part of the Helping Paws training model, and we’re excited to celebrate some of our Host Home volunteers and their dogs enrolled in Blue Coat Academy as they graduate from their Host Home Intro class!
Thank you for investing your time, learning alongside your dogs and helping prepare them for the next steps in their journey. We’re so glad to have you on the team! 💙

08/30/2026

Did you know you can support Helping Paws when you order from Davanni’s online? 🐾

Through the end of August, you can add a donation to Helping Paws when placing an online lunch or dinner order. So, enjoy one last beautiful summer weekend—and make your meal mean a little more. 💙

Order online, add a donation, and help us train and place more Assistance Dogs!

08/30/2026

☀️ Summer is a mindset!

And for Helping Paws Assistance Dog-in-training Dasher, there’s always a little sunshine on his mind. 🐾

At Helping Paws, we believe growing up in a real home, surrounded by love and everyday experiences, helps our puppies build confidence, adaptability, and the foundation they'll need as future Assistance Dogs.

08/29/2026

☀️ What’s your dog’s favorite summer snack or treat?
Tell us your secrets! 🐾
Thanks for the photo, Helping Paws Assistance Dog-in-training Vanna!

08/28/2026

The Happy Litter Celebrates One Month! 🐾💛

The Happy Litter recently celebrated one month with their volunteer puppy homes! Today, we’re taking a snapshot into the loving environments where these puppies are beginning their journey.

At Helping Paws, we believe that the foundation of a great Assistance Dog starts with a loving home.

Thank you to our incredible volunteers for giving these puppies the care and love they need as they grow!

08/27/2026

Celebrating Our First Blue Coat Academy Summer Internship! 🐾☀️
This summer, Helping Paws launched A Summer of Paid Learning and Professional Growth, made possible by The Arctos Foundation—and what an incredible experience it was!

Over four weeks, our interns worked alongside Helping Paws trainers and Assistance Dogs in training, gaining hands-on experience while learning about canine behavior, positive reinforcement training, teamwork, communication, and responsibility. From observing training sessions to spending time with our dogs, our interns gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to raise and train an Assistance Dog. They asked thoughtful questions, embraced new challenges, and became an important part of the Blue Coat Academy community.

A special thank you to Megan Varela, Seasonal Program Lead, for creating a welcoming and engaging experience for our interns, and to The Arctos Foundation for making this opportunity possible.

And the summer of learning continues! Our next group of Blue Coat Academy interns is already halfway through their internship experience, and we can’t wait to share their stories and photos with you soon. 🐶📸

08/26/2026

Thank you, Davanni's Pizza and Hot Hoagies , for a delicious day of giving back! 🐾
We’re so grateful to everyone who came out for Helping Paws Day on August 18. Whether you stopped by to meet a Helping Paws Assistance Dog team, grabbed a hoagie, or simply came out to show your support, you helped make a difference for Assistance Dogs in training!

As part of Helping Paws Day, 10% of dine-in, takeout, and curbside orders at Davanni’s locations was donated to Helping Paws to support the training and placement of Assistance Dogs.

And there’s still time to keep the support going! Throughout the rest of August, you can add a donation to Helping Paws when placing an online Davanni’s order. So the next time you’re ordering a hoagie, add a little something extra for Helping Paws!

08/25/2026

Volunteer to Drive with Helping Paws!
Join us at our next Info Session for D-Uber Drivers!

When: Wed. Sept. 2nd at 6 PM
Where: Helping Paws, Eden Prairie, MN
RSVP Here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0849AEAE2FA1FD0-65143366-helping

Our volunteer D-Uber drivers are a critical part of the Helping Paws organization! 💙 This van and our amazing drivers make sure every dog is getting consistent training multiple times per week! There is no minimum commitment to volunteer in this role AND *volunteers sign up as their schedule allows*! Are you looking for a flexible way to make a difference in our community?! Join us for our information session to learn more! 💙

Love dogs? Want a flexible way to help? Become a Volunteer Driver! Helping Paws is looking for volunteers to transport our service dogs in training to and from Blue Coat Academy in Eden Prairie, a few days each week. Our dogs live with amazing host homes for ~2.5 years while learning the skills to c...