Paws-Abilities, Inc

Paws-Abilities, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Spencer, Indiana that promotes the use of assistance animals as a method of intervention for children who have neural-developmental disabilities. It is funded by the sale of the highest quality, healthy and organic pet foods and supplies. We believe in promoting healthy lifestyles for both children and animals. The sale of these products helps to offset the cost of training and placing assistance animals with people who have disabilities.

Paws-Abilities is operated by John Loveland and Robin Hanlin. Robin is a native of Hawai'i (and missing that 80 degree winter weather she is used to!) and has been a registered pediatric nurse working in intensive care. She has worked with children who have autism off and on for about fifteen years including being charged with caring for the dogs in the dog assistance and intervention program and working with children in aquaculture vocational training.
John has had a farm in Owen County for almost forty years and traces his roots back to the first page of the recorder's book. He has taught and coached at the Owen Valley High School and served four years on the school board. John has a professionalized teaching license in Indiana and a master's in Social Work from Indiana University. He has worked at the oldest and largest mental health community day treatment center in Hawai'i since 2001 and served as clinical director for the past six years.

John and Robin returned to Owen County in July of last year and brought two black lab sisters (Ele'ele' and Bella) from Hawai'i with them, the beginning of their Indiana "Ohana" (extended family). Since then, they have rescued a big chocolate lab (Hank), a black lab puppy (Jake), and a Schnoodle sort of little guy (Bowser...ok...Sebastian...though he sure seems like a Bowser!). In addition they have adopted two 20 pound+ Maine Coon cats (Tommy Lasorda and Julius La Rosa) and a wisp of a skinny blue kitten (Earl Grey). In addition, Maggie (who reminds us of Margaret Thatcher), and English bulldog who has just finished and survived heart worm treatment the beginning of January,will be joining us in a couple of weeks.

Then there is Ele'ele', John's service dog from Hawai'i. She was recently caught going online behind our backs to dogmatch.com and finding this yellow lab, Homer, who she insists on hooking up with. A blind date has been arranged in Valparaiso, and we will see where that goes. He seems like an awfully nice boy...but Ele' can be such a bitch!

If all goes the way she wants, we will be looking soon for foster/training homes for the pups which will eventually be going to children in need of assistance animals.