Support Paws4Kids to help vulnerable children

I have seen first hand the amazing role dogs can play in helping people cope with the world around them. That’s why I am honoured to be the Ambassador for the Paws4Kids matched giving day this Wednesday 22 April.

This wonderful program helps to raise funds for that MacKillop Family Services Paw Pals program which is helping kids who’ve been through childhood trauma to feel safe and to learn again by using therapy dogs.

I know dogs have the power to transform lives and help children to heal, engage and build confidence and, through the use of therapy dogs, the MacKillop Paw Pals program facilitators work with children and young people in their homes, slowly building their confidence and skills to return to school.

They also work with students who have not completely disengaged from school by coming into mainstream school settings and working with children in the classroom.

The Paws4Kids matched giving day runs for 24 hours and means that for every $1 that is donated, the Paw Pals program receives $4 thanks to the support of major donors and local businesses to match community donations because they can see the impact it’s having on children.

This includes our Pooches at Play partner PETstock who is supporting the program through their charity foundation PETstock Assist.

Our goal is to raise $300,000 through Paws4Kids to get more therapy dogs into schools to help those most vulnerable of children that deserve the right to a proper education, something so many of us take for granted.

If everyone reading this blog donated just $1, it will be multiplied by three, so image the difference we could make to a child’s life.

So, please join me in making a donation at paws4kids.org.au and support an organisation that is making a genuine impact in the lives of vulnerable young Australians.

About the Author: Lara Shannon is a NDTF certified dog trainer and behaviourist, Executive Producer and Host of Pooches at Play on Channel 10 and editor of Poochesatplay.com. Lara also runs her own dog training and boarding business in Melbourne’s Bayside area and Author of EAT, PLAY, LOVE Your Dog.