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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🚨 NWA, ARE YOU READY TO LIGHT UP THE NIGHT?! 🚨

We are officially ramping up for the biggest, brightest community celebration of the summer! On Saturday, July 11th from 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM, we are anticipating 1,000 community members gathering at the Gulley Park Gazebo in Fayetteville for the Glow Forward Twilight Walk & Festival! ✨🐾

We are throwing a massive, family-friendly (and pup-friendly!) party with one profound mission: supporting our military veterans, first responders, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) survivors with elite, ADI-standard service dogs, while fiercely championing women’s mental health and sexual assault awareness.

Here is what is waiting for you at Gulley Park:
🎸 FREE LIVE MUSIC all evening (featuring Wilderness, Lukas Wigington, Randy Forst, and DJ Travis Blakney)!
🌮 Incredible Eats: Delicious Mex-Tex Food Truck & ice-cold Snow Cones!
🍭 Mind-Blowing Entertainment: Glow-in-the-dark Lollipop Entertainers lighting up the festival!
📸 The Ultimate Glow Photo Bomb Booth: Complete with blacklights, neon backdrops, and awesome glow props for BOTH humans and pups!
🛍️ Community Connection: Incredible local vendors, resource booths, and tons of glow gear!

The Glow Walk (8:30 PM Step-off):
We are glowing forward on a fully accessible, flat 1.5-mile loop right around Gulley Park. You can absolutely do this!
(Note: While our official event T-shirt sales have closed, walk registration is WIDE OPEN! Come as you are, wear your favorite neon, and let's walk together!)

Grab your family, pack your lawn chairs, spread out a blanket on the grass, and let’s make Northwest Arkansas GLOW!

👉 Sign up for the Walk OR sign up as a Virtual Walker here:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/glow-forward-night-walk

Not all working dogs are the same. At Paws Forward Foundation, we hold ourselves and our dogs to the highest industry benchmarks, mirroring the rigorous standards set by Assistance Dogs International (ADI).

​Before our dogs ever graduate to assist a hero, they must pass the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and conquer the Public Access Test (PAT). This ensures they can navigate complex environments unobtrusively, safely, and with unwavering focus on their handler. We are building elite, ADA-compliant partners for life. Our dogs are medical equipment, and their training reflects that critical reality.

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We need to take a moment to brag about the women of the Paws Forward Foundation community. 💜

​Since launching our mission to provide elite Medical Alert, Mobility, Hearing, and Psychiatric Assistance dogs, we have had the profound privilege of connecting with some of the strongest women we have ever met. Building a community around veterans, socializers, and survivors has shown us the incredible, multifaceted resilience of the female spirit.

​To the women who have bravely shared their stories with us: You are a force. Your willingness to speak your truth about Military Sexual Trauma (MST), sexual assault, and the ongoing battles of mental health is breaking down stigmas and lighting the way for others. You inspire us every single day.

​And to the women who have kept their stories private until now: We see your strength, too. We know the exhausting, heavy burden of carrying trauma in silence—sometimes for years, sometimes out of love, fear, or simply a need to survive. Walking through the doors of a support group or applying for a service dog is a massive, courageous step. We are so incredibly honored that you have chosen Paws Forward as a safe place to finally set that burden down.

​The healing happening within this sisterhood is nothing short of amazing. Whether you are one of our dedicated puppy socializers helping to shape a future lifeline, an applicant stepping into the demanding world of ADA-compliant task work, or a member of our peer support groups finding connection for the first time—you are doing the hard, beautiful work of healing.

​You are not alone. There is a place for you here. 🐾

​If you are a female veteran or survivor looking for a trauma-informed community, or if you want to learn more about our upcoming support events and service dog applications, please reach out. Let’s keep moving forward, together.

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🚨 NORTHWEST ARKANSAS: THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! GET READY TO GLOW! 🚨

​Have you marked your calendars yet? The momentum is building, the lineup is stacked, and the Glow Forward Twilight Walk & Festival is shaping up to be the can't-miss community event of the summer!

​On Saturday, July 11th, we are taking over the Gazebo at Gulley Park in Fayetteville for an epic afternoon and evening of live music, phenomenal food, and an unforgettable glowing twilight walk. But this is more than just a festival—it is a massive, loud, and proud movement to change lives.
​Here is exactly what you can expect when you join us:

​Epic Live Music: We are bringing the energy with an incredible lineup featuring Randy Forst, Lukas Wigington, DJ Travis Blakney, and a powerhouse headlining set by Wilderness!

​Gourmet Food Trucks & Local Vendors: Come hungry and ready to shop and support our incredible local Northwest Arkansas community partners.

​Meet the Future Heroes: Get up close and personal with our puppies-in-training! See firsthand how they practice their environmental neutrality and focus for their rigorous Public Access Tests (PAT).

​Honoring Our Heroes Tribute: At 5:30 PM, we will hold a powerful tribute and pigeon release to honor the resilience of those we serve.

​The Glow Walk: At 8:30 PM, we light up the paved trails of Gulley Park in neon!

​The Mission That Drives the Music:
Every ticket, every donation, and every step taken during the Glow Walk directly funds the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) standard training of our service dogs. We are transforming these incredible canines into elite partners specializing in Psychiatric Assistance, Medical Scent Alerts, Mobility bracing, and Hearing Assistance. (Please note: we do not train seeing-eye guide dogs).
​We are walking to aggressively break the stigma surrounding women’s mental health. We are walking to raise vital awareness for sexual assault and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). We are walking to provide our veterans, first responders, and survivors with the life-saving support and community they deserve.

​🔥 HOW TO BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT:
Join us in person at Gulley Park from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, OR grab a "Virtual Glow Walker" ticket to walk your own neighborhood in neon at 8:30 PM your local time!

​Tag your friends, share this post, and let’s pack the park!

​🔗 Secure your spot and get registered right here : https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/glow-forward-night-walk

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We want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to our incredible followers and our dedicated volunteer puppy socializers!

​Our socializers take these pups into their homes, exposing them to new environments so they grow up confident and ready for complex task work. Want to be part of the journey?

We are always looking for more hands to join the Paws Forward family. It’s hard work, but handing a fully trained dog over to a veteran who needs them makes every second worth it.

Comment 'INFO' below if you want to learn about becoming a socializer! 🏡🐾

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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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