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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 250
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 has been 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 organized. She has raised over five 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.
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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 twice a month
at the County
Extension
Building, 5814 S. Datura, Littleton, CO. Once a
month social outings are scheduled 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.
Please see our schedule
page for current meeting times and locations. 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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