Two yellow Labrador Retrievers lying on green grass in front of a leafy background, looking at the camera with happy expressions.

“Petting, scratching and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul”

- Dean Koontz

🐾 Welcome to Pawz A While

Where Young People Learn, Grow, and Relax—One Wag at a Time

In today’s fast-paced world, many young people face challenges that can lead to disengagement from school, community, and home life. At Pawz A While, we offer a refreshing alternative: a relaxed, judgement-free space where learning happens naturally and joyfully—with dogs as trusted partners.

🌟 What We Do

Pawz A While is a fun, pressure-free break from the traditional classroom. Through hands-on dog handling and training, young people build confidence, develop life skills, and experience success—often without even realizing they’re learning.

Our sessions focus on:

  • 🐶 Dog training and handling to build trust, patience, and responsibility

  • 🤝 Peer relationships through shared experiences and teamwork

  • 🧠 Problem-solving and communication in a relaxed, supportive setting

  • 🌈 Celebrating individuality and creating a sense of belonging

💬 Why It Works

We believe that every young person deserves a space where they feel accepted, supported, and free to be themselves. By combining the therapeutic presence of dogs with a no-pressure environment, we help participants reconnect—with themselves, their peers, and their community.

🚫 No Red Tape

We’re not a therapy or disability provider, which means:

  • ✅ No referral process

  • ✅ No budget approvals or appointments

  • ✅ No restrictions on who can participate

Just a simple, fee-based service designed to be accessible and easy to join.

📣 Get Involved

We’d love to explore how Pawz A While can support your young people.

📞 Contact our team today to learn more.

Let’s create a space where learning is accidental, and fun is intentional.

🐕 Why Labradors Are Ideal for Young People

While any dog can make a good companion, Labrador Retrievers truly are the gold standard when it comes to supporting wellbing—and it’s not just because they’re adorable (though that doesn’t hurt!). Here's why they shine so brightly in programs like Pawz A While:

  • Eager to Please: Labs are famously motivated by praise, affection, and treats, making them incredibly responsive to training and gentle guidance.

  • Intuitive & Empathetic: They have a knack for sensing emotions, which helps them connect deeply with children and teens who may be anxious, withdrawn, or navigating challenges.

  • Gentle Temperament: Their calm, friendly nature makes them non-threatening and comforting—perfect for creating a safe space.

  • Highly Trainable: Labs are intelligent and quick learners, which means they can adapt to a wide range of therapeutic roles and environments.

  • Social Butterflies: They thrive on human interaction and are naturally drawn to people, making them ideal for group settings like schools or community programs.

Whether it’s helping a child feel more confident, easing the nerves of a student in transition, or simply offering a warm cuddle, Labradors bring a kind of magic that’s hard to replicate.

Meet The Dogs

  • A yellow Labrador retriever sitting in a field of tall, dry grasses with a cloudy sky in the background.

    Autumn

    Autumn’s Fierce & Fun Highlights:

    🧠 Brilliant and quick-thinking—always one step ahead

    🐾 Can switch energies to suit nervous vibes with inane intuition

    🌟 Determined to succeed and bring her people along for the ride

    🎒 Loves exploring, learning, and leading the way

    💥 A true original with unstoppable energy

  • Biscuit

    ⚡ Full of life and always on the go.

    🐕‍🦺 Thrives with a handler who can match her energy and provide direction.

    💪 Despite her pampered life, she gives her all when it comes to work and training.

    👑 Has a strong leadership streak and wants to be in charge.

    🐾 Always eager to be involved in the action, no matter what’s happening.

  • A happy black labrador retriever sitting outdoors, with greenery in the background and a blue object to the right.

    Chester

    Chester’s Charming Traits:

    🐾 Always eager to be involved in whatever you’re doing

    💋 Generous with kisses and full-body tail wags

    🎉 Brings energy, warmth, and joy to every moment

    🧡 Loyal, loving, and happiest when he’s your center of attention

    🛋️ A true companion who just wants to be by your side

  • Clover

    🌟 Clover’s Clever Tactics

    🎉 Playful and full of enthusiasm

    🍬 Always happy to earn a treat

    🕵️‍♀️ Loves exploring and discovering new things

    🤝 Gets along beautifully with kids, adults, and other dogs

    💖 Offers comfort and connection when it’s needed most

  • Black Labrador retriever sitting on wooden floor with pink ball in background.

    Cricket

    Cricket’s Signature Style:

    🧐 Thoughtful and observant—never rushes into things

    🐶 Loves playtime once she’s sized it all up

    🧭 A natural adventurer who wants you by her side

    💕 Reserved at first, but full of joy once she’s comfortable

  • Two black Labrador dogs, one lying on a dog bed and the other lying on a wooden deck, outdoors beside a brick wall and a sliding glass door.

    Ember

    Ember’s Sparkling Qualities:

    🐾 Energetic and full of life

    💖 Sweet-natured with a dash of sass

    🤗 Loves bellyrubs and one-on-one attention

    🎯 Eager to please and quick to learn

    😄 Brings smiles wherever she goes

  • A happy black Labrador retriever with its tongue out, sitting outdoors with a brick wall in the background.

    Ginger

    Ginger’s Golden Traits:

    🐶 Calm, confident, and great with kids

    🤝 Works beautifully with anyone—young or old

    🛠️ Dependable in every setting, especially when it matters most

    🐾 Has her silly moments, but always returns to center

    💛 A true Labrador: loyal, loving, and full of quiet joy

  • Close-up of a brown Labrador retriever lying down on wood chips, looking directly at the camera.

    Gypsy

    Gypsy’s Standout Traits:

    🎯 Incredibly focused and eager to train

    🐾 Loves working and thrives on routine

    🧠 Smart, sharp, and always up for a challenge

    🤝 Perfect match for active, goal-oriented handlers

    🌟 Inspires others with her energy and commitment

  • Halo

    ⚽ Always up for a game and enjoys her time having fun.

    🧠 Thrives in structured activities and training.

    💖 Totally devoted to her handler, always by their side.

    📚 Quick to pick up new things and loves challenges.

    🫶 Enjoys snuggling and being close to those she trusts.

    🏃‍♀️Full of energy and enjoys stretching her legs in open spaces.

  • A happy yellow Labrador Retriever dog sitting in a black circular play area with a green and white soccer ball and some colorful toys. The dog is smiling with its tongue out and appears to be outdoors on grass.

    Hector

    Hector’s High-Energy Highlights:

    🧠 Super smart and always alert

    🐾 Loves a challenge and lives to please

    🎉 Boisterous, playful, and full of life

    🛠️ Thrives on tasks, training, and staying busy

    😈 A little mischievous—but in the most lovable way

  • Keeper

    🐾 Enjoys a relaxed pace, not quite as active as she once was.

    💖 Gentle, kind, and loving.

    👑 Loves snuggling up with anyone who needs affection.

    🌸: Calm and soothing, a true presence of peace.

    🌿 Prefers quieter environments, where she can focus on offering her presence and warmth.

  • Close-up of a black dog with brown eyes, sitting on a pink blanket, looking at the camera with an open mouth, showing white teeth.

    Kenzi

    Kenzi’s Kindhearted Highlights:

    🤗 Loves giving hugs and soaking up affection

    🐾 Prefers gentle work and calm company over high-energy play

    💖 Lives to please and bring joy to her people

    🛋️ A peaceful soul who thrives in a loving, low-key environment

    🌸 The kind of dog who makes you feel better just by being near

  • Close-up of a black Labrador Retriever dog sitting on a concrete surface, looking directly at the camera.

    Lola

    Lola’s Loves:

    🐕 People, dogs, and anyone who’ll throw a ball

    🌊 Water, mud, puddles—if it splashes, she’s in

    🐦 Birds... just don’t ask her to ignore them

    💤 Playing hard, then sleeping harder

    🐾 Living life at full tail-wagging speed

  • Close-up of a happy black Labrador retriever dog named Napoleon outdoors, with a blurred green background.

    Napoleon

    Napoleon’s Noble Qualities:

    🐶 Dotes on his person with full-hearted devotion

    🚶 Loves walks, romps, and relaxed hangouts

    🛋️ Thrives on one-on-one attention and gentle affection

    🗨️ Always up for a chat—even if he’s just listening

    💖 A true sweetheart with a peaceful, loving presence

  • A black Labrador retriever sitting outdoors on a leaf-covered ground with a sunset in the background.

    Persephone

    Persephone’s Power Moves:

    🐾 Mischief mastermind when teamed up with her crew

    🎯 Laser-focused when it counts—she’s got goals

    💕 Loves making people happy, even if it means a little chaos first

    🐶 Growing into a confident, capable leader

  • A black Labrador Retriever dog sitting on a tiled outdoor patio with a background of green bushes and a wooden fence, sunlit and showing its tongue.

    Raven

    Raven’s Radiant Qualities:

    🍖 Will work for treats—and cuddles

    🐶 Sweet, soft, and endlessly loyal

    👶 A natural with kids and gentle souls

    🛋️ Loves quiet time and cozy companionship

  • A happy black Labrador Retriever sitting on green artificial turf with a wooden fence in the background, tongue out, smiling.

    Shuffle

    Shuffle’s Sparkling Traits:

    💋 Greets everyone with a kiss and a wag

    🍗 Will do anything for a snack (and we mean anything)

    🐕 Loves people of all kinds—just wants to be loved back

    🌈 Unshakable spirit and endless positivity

    🎉 Always ready to party, play, or snuggle

  • Close-up of a happy yellow Labrador Retriever dog with its tongue out, outdoors in sunlight.

    Sweetie

    Sweetie’s Signature Moves:

    🐾 Expert cuddler with a soft spot for laps

    🚶 Loves her walks but never strays far from your side

    💕 Makes promises with her eyes—and keeps them with her heart

    🛋️ Equally happy lounging or strolling, as long as you’re there

  • Close-up of a smiling black Labrador Retriever dog with a pink background.

    Ygritte

    Ygritte’s Highlights:

    🎉 Loves everyone—young, old, loud, quiet, and everything in between

    🌀 Switches from chill to thrill in seconds flat

    🐾 Great at reading the room and adjusting her energy

    🛋️ Equally happy snuggling or sprinting

    💖 A true mixed bag of joy, sass, and heart

  • A close-up of a happy Labrador Retriever sitting indoors, looking at the camera, with a slightly open mouth showing its tongue.

    Zeta

    Zeta’s Fun Facts:

    🛋️ Olympic-level napper - prefers to sit in the sun with her people

    🖌️ Loves being brushed—she’ll even strike a pose

    🐾 Thinks chasing balls is beneath her status

    🗨️ Enjoys deep conversations (or just listening while you vent)

    🎀 Has mastered the “I deserve a treat” face