Paws Forward Foundation

A Psychiatric Assistance Dog does much more than provide comfort—they are trained to perform specific, life-saving tasks.

​For survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and those battling severe PTSD, hypervigilance and disassociation can be daily struggles. Our dogs are trained in tactile stimulation, anxiety interruption, and Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) to ground their handlers during panic attacks. They are taught to create a physical buffer in crowds and alert to rising distress levels before a handler even realizes they are triggered.

Healing from trauma takes time, but with the right partner, you never have to walk through it alone.

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Did you know it takes up to two years of specialized training, veterinary care, and dedicated socialization to prepare a Service Dog for a veteran?

​We provide these life-changing dogs at no cost to the handler, but we cannot do it without you. Your sponsorships and donations directly fund puppy development, high-level task training, and our ongoing mental health support groups. Consider becoming a monthly donor today and help us change a veteran's life. Link in bio to give!
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https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/paws-forward-foundation

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🌟 THE GLOW IS GROWING: Join Us in Fayetteville OR from Your Own Hometown! 🌟

​Northwest Arkansas and beyond, the momentum for the rescheduled Glow Forward Twilight Walk & Festival on July 11th is absolutely incredible!

​Whether you are local to NWA or hundreds of miles away, there are now TWO amazing ways to light up the night with the Paws Forward Foundation:

​📍 IN-PERSON AT GULLEY PARK (FAYETTEVILLE):
We are taking over the area near the beautiful Gazebo at Gulley Park!

Starting at 3:00 PM, join us for gourmet food trucks, live music (featuring Randy Forst, Lukas Wigington, DJ Travis Blakney, and Wilderness!), and our "Meet the Future Heroes" Puppy Station.

This ADA-accessible park is the ultimate environment for our dogs in training to practice their public access skills and environmental neutrality. At 8:30 PM, we step off for the Twilight Walk!

​💻 THE VIRTUAL WALK (ANYWHERE!):
Can't make it to Fayetteville? You can still be a crucial part of our mission!

Register as a Virtual Walker (a 100% donation, swag-free ticket). Throw on your best neon gear, grab some glow sticks, and walk your own neighborhood at 8:30 PM your local time. Tag us using so we can share your glow!

​The "Why" Behind the Glow:
Every single registration funds the rigorous, ADI-standard training required to get our dogs ready for their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Public Access Tests (PAT). We are transforming puppies into specialized, life-saving partners performing:

🐾 Psychiatric Assistance (deep pressure therapy, nightmare interruption)

🐾 Medical Scent Alerts (detecting physiological shifts before an episode)

🐾 Mobility Assistance (momentum pull and targeted bracing)

🐾 Hearing Assistance (alerting to crucial environmental alarms)

(Note: Paws Forward does not train seeing-eye guide dogs).

​We walk to bring invisible wounds into the light. We walk to champion women’s mental health, to aggressively advocate for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivors, and to ensure our veterans and first responders never walk alone.
​Grab your tickets and let's light up the night! 👇

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/glow-forward-night-walk

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🚨 VENUE UPDATE: We are Glowing Forward in FAYETTEVILLE! 🚨

​Northwest Arkansas, our pack is officially on the move! We have successfully locked in our new home for the rescheduled Glow Forward Twilight Walk & Festival on Saturday, July 11th, and we are thrilled to announce that we are bringing the light to Gulley Park in Fayetteville (right by the Gazebo)! ✨

​Everything you love about this event remains exactly the same—we just have a stunning, ADA-accessible new backdrop. Gulley Park provides the absolute perfect, safe environment for our service-dogs-in-training to practice the critical environmental neutrality and obedience skills they need to pass their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Public Access Tests (PAT).

​The Event Details:

🗓️ Date: Saturday, July 11th | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

📍 New Location: Gulley Park (Near the Gazebo), Fayetteville, AR

​The Schedule:

🍔 3:00 PM: Festival Opens! Gourmet Food Trucks & Local Vendors

🐾 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: "Meet the Future Heroes" Puppy Station

🎸 All Evening: Live Music featuring Randy Forst, Lukas Wigington, DJ Travis Blakney, and Wilderness!

🕊️ 5:30 PM: Honoring Our Heroes Tribute & Pigeon Release

👟 8:30 PM: The Glow Walk Steps Off! (Wear your neon!)

​Every dollar raised directly funds the rigorous, ADI-standard training of Paws Forward service dogs. We specialize in providing life-saving task work, including Psychiatric Assistance (deep pressure therapy, nightmare interruption), Medical Scent Alerts, Mobility bracing, and Hearing Assistance. (Please note: our program does not train guide dogs for the blind).

​We walk to bring the invisible wounds of trauma into the light. We walk to champion women's mental health, to create an unbreakable support network for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivors, and to ensure our veterans never have to navigate their healing journey alone.

​Please SHARE this post to help us spread the word about the new venue, tag your friends, and let’s pack Gulley Park! 💛

​🎟️ Register for the Walk & Glow Gear Today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/glow-forward-night-walk

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What makes a true Service Dog?

It’s much more than just a vest. Under the expert guidance of our Trainer, Erica Gibbs Jones , our dogs undergo an intensive 24-month journey.

​Before a dog ever graduates, they must pass the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and the rigorous Public Access Test, proving they can safely and unobtrusively navigate public spaces under ADA guidelines. From scent work to mobility assistance, these dogs are highly trained medical equipment. We are incredibly proud of the standard we uphold.
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