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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 100 Have Paws members have raised close to 190 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 seventeen dogs and specializes
in German Shepherds. In her spare time, Carmen participates in the Denver
Pet Partner dog therapy program and is certified with two of her career
change dogs. Our website and newsletter/blog is produced by assistant leader
Andrea Loughry. With a strong interest in dog behavior, Andrea assists
in the training portion of puppy meetings. She is the main backup leader
when Carmen is out of town or unavailable. Andrea has raised over thirteen
Guide puppies. Assistant leader Janet Ford takes the lead during dog training
sessions and is our expert in the new Food Induced Recall. Janet and
her husband Chris have raised over six Guide Dog puppies. Janet trains
obedience and agility with her career change shepherd, Daytona.Veterinarian
Randa MacMillian donates her time and expertise to advise and support us
when our puppies need medical attention. 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. Our monthly newsletter, the
Puppy
Pipeline, circulates to puppy clubs across Colorado. Edited
by project leader Andrea Loughry, the Pipeline is packed with
informative articles about puppy training and health issues, as well
as club news.
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 can have a packet of information
ready for you to pick up, and perhaps even a puppy to handle during
a training class. We look forward to meeting you!
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