We Are
PawPADs
...changing lives through the power of the human-canine bond.
Our Mission
Facilitating the power of the human-canine bond, and enhancing the lives of others, through the process of training assistance dogs and the outcome of placing them with people with disabilities.
Our Values
The values that guide our work include: ✫ Positive energy and respect toward people and animals. ✫ Innovation, accountability and transparency in actions. ✫ Teamwork – being responsible and dependable. ✫ Honesty, transparency, integrity and fairness. ✫ Professionalism balanced with humor. ✫ Valuing input from participants, partner organizations, donors and clients.
Our Vision
To be an organization that others look to as a model for facilitating the healing and educational powers of animals while empowering persons with disabilities to lead more independent, self-reliant lives with the assistance of a canine partner.
What We Offer
Our programs demonstrate an experiential, educational, and wholistic approach of addressing multiple needs within diverse populations. PawPADs has experience, and expertise, facilitating programs with: ✪ Incarcerated Individuals in 2 Federal Prisons (3+ years: Prison Road Puppies Program) ✪ Youth facing challenges in Middle School (6 years: Project YES!) ✪ University students (6 years University of Wisconsin-River Falls: ADEPT) ✪ Veterans struggling with PTSD (3+ years: Paw Corps)
Placements
We dual-train our dogs for placement with people with physical/mobility challenges, Type-1 Diabetes or as Facility Dogs.
Programs and Services (past and current)
ADEPT™ – Assistance Dog Education Program & Training (College Students) Partner Training Camp (Placement) Project YES! (Youth Empowerment Services) Paw Corps (veterans) Prison Road Puppies Program (individuals who are incarcerated) PawPADs International
Training Philosophy
PawPADs is an advocate of science-grounded, force-free, positive reinforcement-based training. We believe it’s important to develop deep relationships with each dog and embrace their individuality.
Our Nonprofit Status
Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Lakeville, Minnesota. We do business as “PawPADs” under a certificate of assumed name filed with the State of Minnesota. Tax-exempt since July 2007, your contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Our EIN (often referred to as a Tax ID number) is 51-0593176.
Our Funding
Our funding relies primarily on individual contributions, corporate and foundation contributions, fundraisers, gifts in-kind , and grants.
PawPADs Decoded
✪ PawPADs is an acronym, using the “Paw” from Pawsitive, the “P” from Perspectives, the “A” from Assistance and the “D” and “s” from Dogs – Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs! It's intended to be used as one word, PawPADs. ✪ Our brand colors, MAROON and GOLD, have symbolized Minnesota since the late 1800’s. From the UMN “Golden Gophers” uniforms to the color of the Minnesota State Patrol cars to Minnesota’s autumn leaves and our service dogs vests, you’ll see our colors throughout the upper Midwest! ✪ Our logo is designed to illustrate the amazing assistance our service dogs provide to persons with disabilities, with the sunrise symbolizing our “pawsitive perspective.”
PawPADs is a leader in
Responsible Fiscal Accountability and Transparency.
Charities Review Council
PawPADs meets all twenty-seven of the Charities Review Council’s Accountability Standards and has been awarded the “Meets Standards” seal. This robust review works to ensure that our operations, structure, and policies meet widely accepted standards for accountability and transparency. The awarded “Meets Standards” seal shows our commitment to accountable and ethical practices.
The Charities Review Council vets nonprofit organizations in four areas:
✪ Public Disclosure
✪ Governance
✪ Financial Activity
✪ Fundraising
Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator, one of the oldest and most respected charity evaluators, has awarded PawPADs its highest rating of Four Stars in their Four-Star evaluation system.
Charity Navigator evaluates charities in a broad range of metrics, including:
✪ What is being spent on programs;
✪ Administrative expenses;
✪ Fundraising costs; and
✪ “Fundraising efficiency” – how much do we spend to bring in a $1 of donation?
That means that if we align with your passions and values, you can give with confidence!
PawPADs Leadership
“Success takes a village. No matter how independent your job may be, you never truly work alone. And your individual commitment is only one part of the equation. Everyone’s work facilitates or disrupts a team’s ability to reach their goals and objectives.”
– Elizabeth Perry, ACC
Key Staff
Executive Director
Linda Ball
Working with our service dogs is pure magic: magic, for me, as well as the trainers, volunteers, and ...Read More
Linda Ball
Executive Director
Working with our service dogs is pure magic: magic, for me, as well as the trainers, volunteers, and puppy raisers who watch the light bulbs light up in a puppy’s mind as they figure out how to open a door, turn on a light or go get help for their partner. The magic of seeing a service dog in-training ‘choose’ it’s partner and the difference it makes in the new partners life” – Linda Ball
Linda’s background includes an A.S. in Assistance Dog Education from Bergin University of Canine Studies, a B.A. in Speech Communications from the University of Minnesota, a M.S. in Experiential Education from Mankato State University and a mini-MBA in Non-profit
Management from the University of St. Thomas.
She has extensive experience in social services and educational systems. Linda was an Associate Lecturer at UWRF for Animal Science 389: Introduction to the Assistance Dog Industry and Training. She actively maintains connections within the assistance dog industry from her 18 years of experience in the assistance dog field.
Linda’s passion for serving others extends beyond her work at PawPADs. She served as a Country Director of GOAL Ireland, an International Aid Organization, in Bosnia, Kosovo and Honduras and she was a Peace Corps volunteer who developed and produced Mongolia’s first Mongolian Sign
Language Dictionary. Her dedication to international development also drove her to succeed with the rebuilding of schools, houses, and community centers in post-war Bosnia. She deeply believes that every experience holds immeasurable opportunities for growth and her goal is to facilitate that in others.
Program Manager
Maddie Jensen
Maddie, a 2017 graduate from University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) with a B.S. in Animal Science...Read More
Maddie Jensen
Program Manager
Maddie, a 2017 graduate from University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) with a B.S. in Animal Science, began with PawPADs as a volunteer, then became an ADEPT intern and has been a fulltime employee since 2017. As a former ADEPT intern herself, she has a unique insight into the program participant aspect of PawPADs. As Program Manager, Maddie oversees the day-to-day management of the participants and dogs.
Additionally, Maddie assists with fundraising efforts and social media campaigns. Her expertise in dog training and instruction makes her an invaluable resource for the interns in the ADEPT program. Her dedication and passion for our mission is inspiring, and we are grateful for her hard work and commitment.
Director of Operations
Randy Patrick
Randy, PawPADs’ Director of Operations, has been with PawPADs for over 15 years. Randy helps in...Read More
Randy Patrick
Director of Operations
Randy, PawPADs’ Director of Operations, has been with PawPADs for over 15 years. Randy helps in the day-to-day operations of keeping the training center maintained, the website running, and the van maintained while also helping to care for the dogs. Randy, along with Linda, his wife, has also
lived and worked in Bosnia, Kosovo, Central America, and Afghanistan, giving him a unique global perspective on the challenges facing our world today. With a B.A. in Business Administration and an A.A. in Criminal Justice, Randy brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role at PawPADs.
Board of Directors
As volunteers on PawPADs’ Board, we oversee finances and programs, drive fundraising, and provide governance. Our role is to ensure PawPADs thrives through foresight, oversight, and insight. We contribute resources, networking, and expertise, embodying our mission’s passion as stewards, not owners, of the organization’s purpose and assets.
Angie Diehl
Board President and Constituent
I have been blessed to experience firsthand the life-changing impact a PawPADs assistance dog can hav...read more
- [email protected]
- http://linktr.ee/angieandruby
- Freelance social media and marketing consultant.
Angie Diehl
Board President and Constituent
- Website:http://linktr.ee/angieandruby
- Company/Affiliation:Freelance social media and marketing consultant.
- Group:Board Of Directors
Angie Diehl
Board President and Constituent
I have been blessed to experience firsthand the life-changing impact a PawPADs assistance dog can have on a person’s life. My daughter, Ruby, was placed with Charlie in 2020 and their partnership has forever altered her life in the most positive ways. Charlie is Ruby’s faithful companion, always there to lend a helping paw or a gentle hug when she needs it the most. This partnership—and so many others—would not be possible without the amazing leadership, staff, volunteers and student interns at PawPADs. I am beyond proud to be part of an organization with such an incredible mission.”
Ruby is a 19-year-old girl with a rare genetic disorder called Stromme Syndrome, which causes vision impairment, microcephaly, intestinal problems, slowed growth and developmental delays. Doctors said Ruby would not walk, talk or do much of anything at all, but she has proven them all wrong. She can see light and colors but she is not able to navigate in the community without help. Angie is Ruby’s momma and fearless advocate.
Angie and Ruby love recording videos of silly conversations and day-to-day activities. These videos motivate Ruby to try harder and make her laugh when she hears her own voice. Angie decided to start sharing these videos on Instagram, and apparently people really like them! One of Ruby’s videos went viral in May 2017 and has been viewed more than 500k times!
Angie and Ruby were never expecting this sudden attention, but they are excited to share their lives and journey with as many people as possible. They hope that their photos, videos and stories will bring joy to others and spread awareness of all of the special gems there are in this world.
Some of Ruby’s favorite things include Frozen, Frozen Fever, any other Disney movie, Elmo, playing Miracle League baseball, horseback riding, and Charlie (who is commonly featured in her Instagram videos). She also loves learning words in new languages and enjoys listening to Frozen’s Let it Go in 50 different languages! Someday, Ruby hopes to have a job working with animals. She is a self-professed “dog person,” just like her momma!
Connect With Me:
Linda Ball
Secretary
Facilitating success and life-changing experiences in others, whether they be human or canine, gives ...read more
- [email protected]
- Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs (PawPADs) Founder and Executive Director
Linda Ball
Secretary
- Company/Affiliation:Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs (PawPADs) Founder and Executive Director
- Group:Board Of Directors
Linda Ball
Secretary
Facilitating success and life-changing experiences in others, whether they be human or canine, gives me the greatest joy. The impact that our dogs have on others is nothing short of magic – and being able to be a part of that, while maintaining the highest degree of ethical consideration for the dogs, is a source of pride.
Audrey Bergstrom
Director
I attended a Partner Graduation by invite from PawPADs, witnessing the powerful bond of each dog plac...read more
- [email protected]
- Senior Operations Lead, R1 RCM Inc.
Audrey Bergstrom
Director
- Company/Affiliation:Senior Operations Lead, R1 RCM Inc.
- Group:Board Of Directors
Audrey Bergstrom
Director
I attended a Partner Graduation by invite from PawPADs, witnessing the powerful bond of each dog placed with their partner was something I will never forget. It had a profound impact on me, and I knew I had found a way to make an impact in helping others. That brought me to volunteer every week for over 5 years before I joined the Board of Directors. It is an honor to have a part, however small, in the incredible journey this organization is on.”
Abby Peterson
Treasurer
I have been in the service dog industry for just over 10 years but PawPADs stood out almost immediate...read more
- [email protected]
- IEC Engineer-Project Engineering, Flint Hills Resources-Pine Bend
Abby Peterson
Treasurer
- Company/Affiliation:IEC Engineer-Project Engineering, Flint Hills Resources-Pine Bend
- Group:Board Of Directors
Abby Peterson
Treasurer
I have been in the service dog industry for just over 10 years but PawPADs stood out almost immediately. From the dogs to the staff, PawPADs has been incredible to volunteer and learn with. Working with service dogs has always been my dream and after volunteering with PawPADs, I knew that this was the organization I wanted to give my everything to. The dedication and passion of the staff, volunteers, and directors to the mission is inspiring. Over my time volunteering, I have seen many lives being changed and impacted in the most positive ways. I am beyond honored to be able to be on the Board of Directors and help them achieve their mission.”
