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BY WISCONSIN. FOR WISCONSIN.
CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER THROUGH CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
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Every guide dog partnership begins with people who care.
People who raise puppies. People who volunteer their time. People who donate. People who believe that individuals who are blind or visually impaired deserve the confidence and freedom to navigate the world independently.
Recently, the team at the Walgreens Distribution Center in Windsor, Wisconsin, demonstrated that commitment through a generous donation of $10,852.21 to OccuPaws Guide Dog Association.
While this gift will help support the training and placement of future guide dogs, its impact reaches far beyond a dollar amount. It represents a group of employees and leaders choosing to invest in the lives of people they may never meet, but whose futures will be forever changed through the partnership of a guide dog.
At OccuPaws, every guide dog is the result of a community coming together. Puppy raisers open their homes. Volunteers donate their time. Trainers dedicate countless hours to developing each dog's skills. Donors and corporate partners provide the financial resources that make the journey possible. Together, they help someone gain greater independence, confidence, and freedom.
To the employees and leadership team at the Walgreens Distribution Center in Windsor: thank you for believing in our mission and for helping make independence possible for the people we serve. Your generosity is a reminder that when businesses invest in their communities, lives are transformed.
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As Wisconsin's only fully accredited guide dog organization, OccuPaws is proud to serve the people and communities of our home state. Every puppy raised, every guide dog trained, and every partnership we build is focused on helping fellow Wisconsinites live more independently. When Wisconsin businesses support OccuPaws, they are investing directly in their neighbors, strengthening communities across the state, and ensuring that individuals with vision loss have access to life-changing guide dogs close to home.
Walgreens Distribution Center has set a wonderful example of what a corporate partnership can accomplish. We hope other businesses, organizations, and community leaders will be inspired to join them. Whether through corporate sponsorships, employee giving campaigns, fundraising events, volunteer opportunities, or in-kind donations, your organization has the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Corporate partnerships are about more than writing a check — they are about investing in people, building stronger communities, and changing lives. Every partnership helps transform a playful puppy into a highly skilled guide dog. Every guide dog helps someone walk through life with greater confidence, safety, and independence.
By Wisconsin. For Wisconsin.
Together, we can create more life-changing guide dog teams and ensure that individuals across our state have the opportunity to live, work, travel, and thrive with greater independence.
Because sometimes a donation becomes a guide dog.
And sometimes a guide dog becomes freedom.
If your organization is interested in partnering with OccuPaws, we would love to start a conversation. Please contact Kassel Matushak at kassel@occupaws.org.
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DON'T MISS THESE UPCOMING EVENTS!
Where community and purpose come together.
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CRAFTS FOR PAWS
Sunday, July 12
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
MEYER OAK GROVE PARK
780 Phillips Blvd., Sauk City
Event to benefit OccuPaws
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BRAT FRY AT THE SHOE BOX
Sunday, July 19
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Shoe Box
1314 Canal St., Black Earth
Event to benefit OccuPaws
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OUTDOOR SUMMER MARKET IN LAKE MILLS
Sunday, August 9
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
COMMON PARKS
100 N. Main Street, Lake Mills
Event to benefit OccuPaws
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OTHER UPCOMING EVENT
SEPTEMBER 13:
10th Annual Puptoberfest at Wisconsin Brewing
Be part of something bigger. Change a life. Become a Puptoberfest 2026 sponsor and help provide independence — one guide dog at a time.
For more information, contact Barb Schultze, President
608-772-3787 | barb@occupaws.org
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CLIENT'S HIGHLIGHTS
Every new team is a story of trust and independence
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THIS IS OUR JOURNEY
MARY & GUIDE DOG AUTUMN: THE CIRCLE OF INDEPENDENCE
There are moments in life when independence quietly slips away.
For Mary, those moments often came after the sun went down. Traveling at night became something to avoid. Winter brought its own challenges as snow-covered sidewalks hid curbs, children's toys, fallen branches, and other unexpected obstacles. Every outing required extra caution, and every unfamiliar path carried uncertainty.
Then everything changed.
At age 61, Mary was matched with Autumn, an OccuPaws guide dog whose impact reached far beyond simply leading the way.
"Autumn and I have been together for three and
a half years," Mary shares. "I now travel with confidence
knowing she will guide me safely across streets
and around obstacles in our path."
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With Autumn by her side, walks are no longer something to fear — they've become something to enjoy. Daily exercise is now shared with a trusted companion, and Autumn's presence brings comfort, confidence, and peace of mind wherever they go.
Mary chose OccuPaws after seeing firsthand how well-trained a coworker's guide dog was and hearing about the organization's exceptional training and ongoing support. The opportunity to train with Autumn in her own neighborhood while continuing to work part-time made the transition even more meaningful.
Autumn is more than a guide dog — she's a loving companion with a playful personality. She adores toys, belly rubs, children, and greeting friends with her signature charm. Yet beneath that gentle spirit is an intelligent working dog.
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One memory still makes Mary smile. Just four days after beginning their daily bus commute, Autumn surprised her by bypassing the curb and leading her directly to the pedestrian crossing button. From then on, whenever Mary asked, "Find the button," Autumn knew exactly where to go.
Moments like these remind us that guide dogs don't simply follow commands — they learn, adapt, and think alongside the people they serve.
When Mary later needed help refining Autumn's skills, an OccuPaws trainer came to her home to work with both Mary and her husband.
"It has been a wonderful experience from the beginning,"
Mary says. "I truly appreciate the support from the trainers
who continue checking in to see how we're doing."
Today, Mary's gratitude has come full circle. She and her husband have decided to become OccuPaws puppy raisers, helping prepare future guide dogs for others seeking the same independence they found with Autumn.
Every guide dog begins as a playful puppy. That puppy needs breeders, puppy raisers, trainers, volunteers, donors, and supporters — all working together to create life-changing partnerships.
Mary's story reminds us why OccuPaws exists.
When you volunteer, donate, raise a puppy, or partner with OccuPaws, you're doing far more than supporting a nonprofit. You're helping someone reclaim the confidence to travel, the freedom to explore, and the independence to embrace life once again.
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NEW CLIENT PLACEMENT:
GEORGE & GUIDE DOG EMBER
Every guide dog placement marks the beginning of a life-changing partnership built on trust, teamwork, and independence. We are proud to celebrate George and Guide Dog Ember, our first client placement of 2026!
Since being matched in April, George and Ember have begun an exciting new chapter together. Like any great partnership, their bond continues to grow stronger with each passing day as they learn more about one another, build trust, and navigate life side by side. Ember is already putting her training to work, helping George travel with greater confidence, safety, and independence.
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A placement like this is never the work of one person alone. It takes a village of breeders, puppy raisers, trainers, volunteers, donors, and supporters to help a puppy become a guide dog capable of changing someone's life.
A heartfelt thank you to Ember's puppy raisers who helped shape her journey every step of the way:
- Bob of Plain
- Kristy of Beloit
- PawsForward Program of New Lisbon
- Jane & Family of Fitchburg
Your dedication, patience, and love helped prepare Ember for this very special role.
Congratulations, George and Ember! We look forward to watching your partnership continue to flourish and wish you many years of adventures, independence, and cherished memories together.
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SAY YES TO BECOMING
A PUPPY RAISER!
Want to raise a puppy like OccuPaws' Resident Heartthrob – GDiT Rudy?
Rudy has recently celebrated his 8-month birthday, and judging by this photoshoot courtesy of his puppy raiser, he already knows he's handsome.
Dashing. Majestic. Photogenic.
Some puppies pose for the camera. Rudy appears to be auditioning for the cover of Guide Dog Monthly.
The best part? Being an OccuPaws puppy raiser means you get a front-row seat to all the puppy antics, adventures, cuddles, and — yes — plenty of heart-melting moments.
Oh Rudy, please do not go around breaking too many hearts.
If you have ever thought about becoming a puppy raiser, we would love to talk with you. We provide training, veterinary care, supplies, and ongoing support every step of the way. What you provide is just as important — your time, your patience, and your willingness to say yes. The typical commitment is just 4 to 6 months.
Help raise a future guide dog and be part of a life-changing journey — for both the puppy and the person who will one day depend on them.
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You live your life. They learn how to navigate it.
Raise a puppy. Change a life.
| | Visit occupaws.org or call (608) 772-3787 to learn more today. | | |
GUIDE DOG IN TRAINING SPOTLIGHTS
From eager pup to future partner — one milestone at a time.
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HAVEN: HEADED TO HARNESS TRAINING
Spirited Haven has headed off to Southern California to begin harness training with GDMI Shelby!
This exciting milestone marks the next step in her journey toward becoming a guide dog. We are so proud of all she has accomplished, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for this special girl.
Good luck, Haven! We're cheering you on all the way from Wisconsin and can't wait to follow your next adventure.
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NEW GDiT WELCOME: URSA
A curly-haired bundle of brains, beauty, and boundless energy has joined the OccuPaws family!
Meet Ursa, a Standard Poodle who comes to us from Country Haven Standard Poodles in Ogden, Utah, and she's already bringing plenty of poodle personality. Smart, curious, playful, and just a little bit convinced she knows best, Ursa is beginning her journey in the Baby Puppy stage.
Right now, she's mastering the important puppy skills of exploring, learning, and charming everyone she meets. Before long, she'll be putting those famous poodle smarts to work as she prepares for a future of changing lives.
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NEW GDiT WELCOME: UPTON
Upton comes to us from The Captain's Labrador Retrievers in Cloquet, Minnesota, and is the brother of GDiT Umber. It looks like another promising guide dog is following in his family footsteps!
Upton has also found the perfect training partner — his puppy raiser's toddler. Together, they'll grow up side by side, learning about the world one adventure at a time. While one is mastering puppy manners and public access skills, the other is discovering life's everyday wonders.
It's a friendship that's sure to be filled with laughter, patience, and plenty of unforgettable memories.
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MASTERING "UNDER" LIKE A TRUE UNDER-ACHIEVER
Guide dogs need to learn how to tuck neatly under tables, desks, and restaurant seating, so we asked Lisbon to practice the "Under" command.
Lisbon responded by locating the largest, comfiest chair he could find and claiming the entire underside as his personal lounge.
Lisbon seems to believe that if you're going to practice "Under," you might as well do it in style.
Some puppies follow commands. Lisbon follows commands comfortably.
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TRAINING CLASS: PAWS ARE READY FOR TAKEOFF!
Airports are filled with unfamiliar sights, sounds, crowds, and distractions, making them one of the best places for our future guide dogs to practice staying calm and focused.
During this week's training class, our puppies learned to confidently navigate the airport security checkpoint. While their puppy raisers gave the commands, the puppies remained relaxed as Transportation Security Officers conducted the standard screening process — including inspecting their guide dog vests as part of the standard security process.
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GDiT Tulip demonstrated exactly what a future guide dog should do: remain calm, still, and trusting, even while being gently handled by a TSA officer during the screening process.
Why does this matter? Because one day, Tulip may be boarding a flight to another state for her harness training. Later, as a working guide dog, she'll help her future handler confidently navigate busy airports on trips to visit loved ones, travel for work, or embark on new adventures.
A guide dog must be able to ignore distractions, accept routine handling, follow directions, and remain composed so their handler can travel safely, confidently, and independently.
Every outing. Every experience. Every lesson.
It's all part of preparing tomorrow's guide dogs for the real world.
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PAWS ABOUT TOWN:
OUT AND ABOUT WITH OUR GDiTS
Our GDiTs have been busy making the most of their training adventures!
- Raleigh was SUCH a good boy while attending opening night of Madison Night Mares softball at Warner Park. From the sights and sounds of the ballpark to the excitement of the crowd, he took it all in stride.
- Saber sharpened his public access skills with a trip to the grocery store, practicing calm behavior and focus around busy aisles, shopping carts, and plenty of distractions — including an entire aisle of very good-smelling deodorants and antiperspirants!
- Rudy and Tiamo: These two spent some time together and have us convinced there's a puppy bromance brewing. Whether they're lounging side-by-side or keeping tabs on each other, they seem to enjoy every minute of their friendship.
| | Every outing, experience, and new environment helps our Guide Dogs in Training build confidence and develop the skills they'll need for their future careers. But it isn't all work and no play— we love watching their unique personalities shine through, too! | |
VOLUNTEER . DONATE . SHOP
Choose your way to make a difference today.
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OccuPaws is powered by volunteers, and we’re always in need of people willing to share their time, knowledge, and experience. Puppy raisers and Board members are essential, but so are the many behind-the-scenes helpers whose unique skills keep our programs strong.
| | Supporting OccuPaws has never been easier. Make a secure online donation, give instantly by scanning our PayPal or Venmo QR codes, or mail in a check using our downloadable donation form. However you choose to help, your generosity directly supports the training and placement of life-changing guide dogs. Thank you for making independence possible! | | |
OccuPaws relies on generous supply donations to help nurture and train our future guide dogs. When you donate items from our wish list, you’re providing the tools and care our puppies need to grow, learn, and prepare for the life-changing work ahead. Shop & ship from our Amazon Wish List or contact us to arrange a pickup. Thank you for your support!
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OccuPaws is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing
fully trained guide dogs at no cost to visually impaired adults across Wisconsin.
Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Learn more about OccuPaws using the links below.
| | info@occupaws.org | (608) 772-3787 | | | | |
