Paragon Community—you’ve been amazing!

Thanks to your incredible generosity over the past two months, we’ve raised more than $19,000 toward our Annual Campaign goal.

Now we need your help to finish strong.

By July 15, we must raise the full $25,000 in order to receive an additional $25,000 matching gift. If we reach our goal, your support will help turn $25,000 into $50,000 for the selection, raising, and training of a future hearing service dog.

We are just $6,000 away from unlocking the match!

If you’ve already made a gift—thank you! Your generosity has brought us this close.

If you haven’t given yet, this is the moment to jump in. Your gift can help us reach the full $25,000 and secure the match.

As an added bonus, every donor will be entered into a drawing for the chance to name one of our puppies in training!

We’re so close. Let’s cross the finish line together.



Make your gift today and help us unlock the full $25,000 match!

There are days at Paragon that remind us exactly why we do this work.

Recently, one of those unforgettable days unfolded inside the walls of the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institute (WMCI) in early June, where Paragon client Harvey Smith and his hearing service dog, Astro, returned to visit the PAWS'Abilities handlers who helped raise and train Astro three years ago.

Long before Astro became Harvey's trusted service dog, he spent more than a year alongside his PAWS’Abilities Master Handler, Russell. For more than a year Russell dedicated himself to Astor’s development and training 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Together, they lived, learned, and trained every single day. Russell poured countless hours of patience, encouragement, and love into helping Astro grow from an energetic puppy into a confident future service dog. Every lesson, every walk, every challenge, every snuggle, and every success was shared together. The connection forged through that unwavering commitment is profound. That kind of around-the-clock partnership creates a bond that is difficult to put into words—and one that time simply couldn't erase.

So when Russell sat on the floor to greet Astro after nearly three years apart, there was no hesitation. Astro climbed into Russ’ lap, wrapped his paws around Russ's neck, and quietly rested there as if no time had passed at all. The two stayed gently and quietly together like that, their heads bowed together and the power of their bond filling the room as we all just soaked the moment in. It touched hearts in a way that is hard to put into words.

For Harvey, meeting Russell was every bit as meaningful.

After hearing so much about the man who helped shape Astro into the extraordinary partner he is today, Harvey finally had the opportunity to thank Russell in person. He shared what Astro has meant to his life—the independence, confidence, safety, companionship, and countless moments that simply would not have been possible without him.

His gratitude extended beyond Russell as well. Harvey thanked every PAWS'Abilities for the dedication, patience, and heart they pour into Paragon's puppies every single day. He reminded them that while they spend over a year shaping a puppy, the impact of their work lasts a lifetime for someone they likely will never meet.

As the day unfolded, Harvey found himself surrounded by handlers eager to hear more. Questions came from every direction. They wanted to know what daily life with a hearing service dog is really like, what Astro enjoys most, and how he helps Harvey navigate the world.

Harvey happily obliged—sprinkling the conversation with plenty of laughter as he shared story after story about Astro's mischievous personality, hilarious antics, and the little quirks that make him so uniquely Astro. The room was filled with smiles, laughter, and a shared appreciation for one remarkable dog.

But beneath the humor was something much deeper.

For all of the handlers, this was the first opportunity to truly see the lasting impact of the work they do behind prison walls. They spend thousands of hours raising, socializing, training, and loving these dogs before sending them into the next chapter of their lives. However, never being able to witness the next chapter.

On this day, they did.

They saw independence restored. They saw confidence rebuilt. They saw joy. They saw possibility. Most importantly, they saw that the countless hours, early mornings, frustrations, celebrations, and unwavering commitment they invest in every puppy ripple far beyond the walls of WMCI.

The impact was profound.

At Paragon, we often say our service dogs change lives. What Harvey and Astro reminded us is that they don't just change the lives of the people who receive them—they change the lives of everyone who helps them along the way.

We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary men of the PAWS'Abilities program. Their dedication, compassion, and willingness to give so much of themselves allow Paragon to fulfill its mission in ways that simply would not be possible otherwise.

It was an incredible honor to share this full-circle moment with them and, through Harvey and Astro, remind them of something we have always known:

Their work matters. Their commitment matters. Their purpose matters. And every single day, they help change lives—including their own.

For the men of Paragon's PAWS'Abilities program, raising a service dog is an act of faith. They pour more than a year of dedication, patience, and heart into preparing a puppy for someone they likely will never meet. Harvey and Astro's return to WMCI gave our handlers the rare opportunity to see the lasting impact of their work firsthand. A few reflections, below, offer a glimpse into what that unforgettable day meant to them.

There are moments in our lives that are powerful and impact us in indescribable ways. A visit from Astro and Harvey was one of those moments for me. You see, Astro holds a special place in my heart, as his story began with me. Astro and I shared every triumph and challenge together. He came to me as an adorable 9 week old little puppy and left a year later as one of the very best friends I've ever had.

Astro has been with Harvey for over three years now. I walked into the room and saw a team. No, more than just a team. Harvey and Astro…belong together. It's as if they were always meant to be. Harvey is always watching and aware of Astro. And Astro, always waiting for the moment that he'll be needed. 



The most impactful moment came when Harvey sat on the ground and Astro climbed into his lap. They are more than just a team—they love each other. It was in that moment that my heart experienced so many emotions. Joy, excitement, pride, love, and above all else, hope. Seeing these two together fills my heart with hope. We can make choices that make this world a better place. We can make choices that bring goodness into this world. 

As the day neared its end, when Astro and Harvey were about to leave, I had to hold back my tears. Not tears of sadness, but the tears that want to come because it feels like I've finally done something right—that I’m giving something good to this world. Thank you Harvey! Thank you Astro! Thank you both for showing me that I can become more than the poor choices of my past. Thank you for showing me that the choices I make now are not only appreciated, but that they truly matter. Thank you for filling my heart with hope.

Sincerely,

Russell (Russell Henderson, PAWS’Abilites Master Handler)

My entire life I've had a love for all animals, they've been an immensely important part of my well being. With that, the dog program here was almost necessary for some sort of decency, and normalcy, to a broken world. Until recently, I only saw the joy the dogs bring myself, along with the help, care, and love that I have provided for them. 

That all changed the day I met Harvey. Harvey is a hearing impaired gentleman, and is able to utilize one of the dogs trained here by my co-worker in the dog program. Astro is a service dog trained by Russ Henderson, and he was taught all sorts of cool cues, and some if not all are necessary for Harvey's safety and quality of life. There are many things we all take for granted in life, things normal people with disabilities struggle with. One of these things that spoke to me so much was the simple task of making tea. Harvey uses a traditional whistling tea kettle, and is unable to hear the whistle when it's ready. That's where Astro comes in, Astro has been trained to alert Harvey when his attention is required for all sorts of day to day things, such as the tea kettle, or when his family and coworkers call his name. He also keeps Harvey safe by alerting to alarms, and alerts that Harvey can't hear himself. 

With all the great things Astro does for Harvey, nothing compares to the companionship and friendship they have with each other, that was so clear from the conversations we had with him. All of this starts right here in our canine program, where one of my coworkers was able to change three lives for the better with the work being done here, Harvey's, Astro's, and myself for being able to witness this full circle. 



~~ Hunter Fulton, PACK Program Dog Handler

This month, we continued connecting with our community by attending local events and festivals. One of our favorite stops was Loveland Pride.

From the moment we arrived, the event was filled with energy, celebration, and a wonderful sense of community. Visitors stopped by our booth to learn more about Paragon, our volunteer opportunities, and, of course, meet some of our incredible dogs.

Our dogs in training, Granby, a Golden/Lab, and Fortune, a yellow Lab, joined us for the event. They greeted attendees, practiced their public access skills in a busy environment, and calmly observed the crowds and festival activities. They even sported matching bandanas to join in the celebration!

We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of Loveland Pride and to connect with so many members of our community. Thank you for welcoming us—we had a wonderful time!

Here at the Wyoming Medium Correctional Institution (WMCI), the day-to-day activities of the resident population will not change all too often. It’s in times like these that we have to be on the lookout for things to find comfort, happiness, and joy in. Well one need not look further than the Canine Training Program where participant handlers, along with the general population, find that and more. 

The sense of accomplishment and purpose that working with dogs brings is undeniable and a feeling that can’t be beat. They brighten up everyone's day who gets to interact with them, having untold positive impacts, so we try to find ways to give back to our four-legged friends for doing so much for us whenever we can.

More than a decade ago now, we were fortunate enough to have agility equipment installed in the canine training yard, which naturally, all the dogs loved. During the course of that time, however, due to the all wooden construction and constant exposure to the elements, the equipment began to degrade. And one by one, much to ours and all the dog's frustration, they began to fail and subsequently had to be removed from the yard. You could see the looks of sadness and confusion written across some of the dog’s faces.

Since Paragon partnered with WMCI in 2021, it has been nothing short of exceptional the support they have given the PAWS’Abilities program and its participants. Everything from teaching us new skills and ways to train and the continued support thereof, to making sure we and the dogs have everything necessary to be successful. All ultimately given with the intent of producing the highest quality hearing dog possible. 

This already tremendous level of support given by Paragon and its staff has recently been given again when they provided the funds to WMCI’s Canine Training Program to purchase the required material to build all new, steel constructed, agility equipment and shade structures. This was all designed and built by WMCI residents; Stephen Hyatt, Christopher Melofsky, Rick Little, and Taylor Meece along with Welding Instructor Fred Wilson. 

Canine Training Program handlers JJ Stipe, Levi Collen, Jesse Hartley, and Shawn Hamilton all helped setting up the equipment, painting, anchoring, and roofing. Handler Hunter Fulton lent his creativity and imagination by breathing life and color into the equipment with his paintings of dogs at play.  

Needless to say, all of the dogs here have been having an absolute blast on the new agility course structures and are much more comfortable in the shade. This has already enriched the dog's lives so much and will continue to do so for many years to come. You could say that they have been given a new leash on life. 

None of this would have been possible without the generous support of Paragon's donors and sponsors. So, from the bottom of all our hearts, and our dogs’, we thank you! And as always, we can’t forget to mention the tireless devotion of WMCI’s Canine Training Program Coordinator, Officer Bethany Sanders, who coordinated the entire project.

Take the Dog Days Dining Tour!


We're excited to announce our Dog Days of Summer fundraiser, where every meal makes a difference!

Throughout the summer, local restaurants are partnering with Paragon Service Dogs to support our mission. Simply dine at one of the participating restaurants on its designated event day, and a portion of your purchase will help empower individuals with disabilities through highly trained service dog partnerships.

Don't miss our service dog sound alert demonstrations at select locations! Meet our incredible dogs, see them in action, and learn more about the life-changing work they do.

Dog Days of Summer Lineup

• July 11 — Oskar Blues (Service dog demonstration: 12:00–2:00 p.m.)
• July 22 — Urban Field Pizza
• July 25 — Pinocchio's
• August 11 — Cimmini's Italian Restaurant
• August 8 — Parkway Food Hall (Service dog demonstration)
• August 8 — Spitz (Service dog demonstration: 2:00–5:00 p.m.)

Mark your calendars, invite your friends and family, and enjoy a delicious meal while supporting an important cause. Every bite helps make a lasting difference!

Huxley

Hello and good morning, or afternoon depending on when you read this I suppose. My name is Huxley and I’m a 12 week old Yellow Lab that’s not yellow, silly as that sounds. I’ve heard them refer to me as a Fox Red Yellow Lab but I ain't no fox! Surely you agree I’m much too distinguished to be mistaken for one of those. Anyways, I’ve made some new four legged friends and met some pretty cool humans since being here and everyone loves to see me out and about. I have a tendency to mouth sometimes though and have been called a Velociraptor, that does have a nice ring to it admittedly, but my human gives me a collagen bone to chew instead of fingers. Besides that, I have been exploring my new home and love playing with all my friends. And oh yeah, my litter mate is here with me too. Twinsies!

Until next time,

Huxley (and my PAWS’Abilities Handler Chris Towne)

Hank

Howdy ya’ll, I’m Hank. I’ve been known to dust the boots off for short walks in the heat and long naps with many a treat. I also enjoy neck nuzzles and lap cuddles. Yeah I’m just a regular ‘ol love bug who’s prone to using you as a snuggle rug. Sure, life round here is simple you see, my handler does the heavy lifting carrying me. That ain't all I aspire to do, I reckon with good training Paragon will pair me with you. Service work is where it’s at, sure beats sitting around chasing a silly ‘ol cat.

That about does it for now friends, we’ll be seeing ya! 
Hank (and my PAWS'Abilities Handler Shawn Hamilton)