ABOUT
PAWS FOR PATRICK CONNECTS YOUNG PEOPLE WITH EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS (ESAs) AND THERAPY DOGS TO AID THEM AS THEY LIVE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, UTILIZING THEIR UNIQUE WISH GRANTER & THERAPY DOG PROGRAMS.
THEY ALSO SEEK TO RAISE AWARENESS OF MENTAL ILLNESS & BREAK THE STIGMA THAT STILL EXISTS.
charity snapshot
WHAT THEY DO
Connect young people (up to 26 years old) with Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) & Therapy Dogs to aid them as they live with mental illness.
Utilize their unique Wish Granter & Therapy Dog programs, they provide the funds & resources to bring the love of animals to those who need it most.
Each client is handled on a case-by-case basis with their individual Wish Granter. They are committed to helping from the beginning to end.
HOW THEY DO IT
Alleviate the burden to acquire an ESA for mental health purposes through their unique Wish Granter program, including:
- obtaining an ESA certification letter for an existing pet
- finding a new companion & paying for adoption fees
- securing/paying for a trainer
- coordinating approval for housing for dorms/apartments with a “no pets allowed” rule
location & minimum age
Headquarters in Lake Forest, IL.; Volunteers and Clients can be anywhere in the USA
Minimum age to volunteer to organize fundraisers: 14 years old
Youth volunteers get service hours
VOLUNTEER
*All are virtual opportunities, with virtual training and ongoing support provided*
Become a “Wish Granter” (case worker) to confidentially assist and guide applicants through the process to obtain their ESA. Min age: 22 yrs, no experience necessary.
Clinicians are needed to verify that applicants mental health condition can be benefitted by an ESA & write letters for those that need to keep their ESA
other ways to help
- Help train or provide ESAs or therapy dogs.
- Support them by shopping at their online store.
- Help with marketing or to create content on Social Media (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).
- Be a Paws for Patrick Ambassador at events, raise funds, sell t-shirts
Charities2love insights
A wonderful virtual volunteer opportunity for clinicians, animal lovers, and those that want to connect youth to animals to alleviate the burden of mental illness.
Volunteers will make a big difference to help remove the barriers of acquiring, training, and keeping an ESA to those that would benefit from one.
FIND IT FAST
FOLLOW THEM
More 2 love
- Volunteers can “Turn Our Towns/Campus Green” with green ribbons and Paws for Patrick Posters during the month of May to spread awareness for Mental Health Month.
- Junior Volunteers (ages 14 – 18): Plan and execute fundraiser projects of their choice on behalf of Paws for Patrick.
QUOTE OF NOTE
“In a world where mental illness is still misunderstood and underfunded, and those living with the illness still feel the stigma attached to it, we want to bring the love of animals to the people who need it most. Just like our Patrick felt the undeniable love of his soul mate, Cici, Paws for Patrick wants to help others feel that same love and support by connecting young people living with mental illness to emotional support animals and therapy dogs.”
Fronzie Roemer, Founder of Paws for Patrick