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CLUB
PROFILE
HAVE PAWS WILL TRAVEL
GUIDE DOG PUPPY CLUB
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, COLORADO
Carmen Moyer, Leader (303) 798-5934
http://hpwtdogmom.org
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Original Club Logo
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The
Have Paws Will Travel Guide Dog Puppy Raising Club was founded in 1992.
The first Guide Dog club in Arapahoe County, Have Paws began with only
two puppies, their raisers, and a leader. By 1997, the active and
successful club had expanded to 22 pups–we were a happy but unwieldy
pack of puppies and people whenever we went out together! The solution
was simple–with the support of Guide
Dogs
for the Blind, Have Paw’s leadership, and a core of our puppy
raisers, four new puppy clubs were formed in Arapahoe County that year.
Our membership has stabilized at around a dozen dogs and their raiser
families, several of whom are charter members of the club. Over
the years, over 150 Have Paws members have raised over 200 puppies to
be trained as Guide Dogs for the blind.
Have Paws’ membership is an unique mix of both 4-H youth and
adult puppy raisers. Youth and adults share equally in decision making
about club activities and business. All our members honor the 4-H motto
“learn by doing” and strive “to make the best better” as we work
together for the common goal of raising puppies with the best possible
chance of becoming working Guides. We are especially proud that our 4-H
youth consistently receive top honors for their Guide Dog projects at
the Arapahoe
County
Fair. Our youth raisers have also been awarded scholarships,
internships,
and other honors through their involvement with Have Paws Will Travel.
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Have Paws is blessed
with dedicated and talented leadership.
Our founding leader, Carmen Moyer, is our main contact with Guide
Dogs for the Blind, and handles all matters pertaining to raisers and
membership. Carmen has raised over twenty puppies! In her spare time,
Carmen participates in the Denver Pet Partner dog therapy program and
is certified with two of her career
change dogs. Nancy Lukacovic joined HPWT as the mom of a 4-H
Raiser and quickly assumed the role as our older puppy class leader.
Nancy has a flair for interesting meetings and keeping everyone
informed and orgainzed. She has raised four puppies with her daughter
Erin. Lizz Landert specializes in puppies under 20 weeks of age, and
makes sure brand new raisers get off to a great start with their puppy
project. Lizz has raised over fifteen puppies and is also active in
Denver Pet Partners with her career change dog. In addition to our club
leaders,
our youth members hold offices such as Club Chairperson and Secretary.
Adult members take responsibility for activities such as
coordinating educational programs and running the club store. Our
website maintained
byAndrea Loughry. |
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Current Club Logo
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Taking a leadership role
in the puppy raising community, Have Paws has been instrumental in
establishing a Guide Dog puppy visitation program at a local hospital,
a dog blood
donor program at an emergency vet clinic, and participating in "Doggie Tales",
a
literacy program at a local library, as well as organizing multi-club
fund-raising activities and parties.
Have Paws Will Travel Puppy Raising Club meets at 7:00 p.m. on the
second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the County Extension
Building, 5814 S. Datura, Littleton, CO. Third Tuesdays of the
month are reserved for social outings at various locations throughout
the Denver Metro Area. Our meetings are free and open to anyone
interested in learning more about Guide Dog puppy raising. We rarely
have to reschedule times or meeting places, but a quick phone call to
Carmen to confirm plans is advisable. When we know you’re coming, we
will be sure to give you a warm welcome and perhaps even a puppy to
handle during a training class. Meanwhile, please look around on our
website, where we're sure most of your questions can be answered. We
look forward to meeting you!
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