Paws-Ability started out as a dream many years ago.

Its founder, John Peterson and his late wife, Lillie lived in Coquille, OR. in the mid 1990s. They used to frequent a neighborhood store and got to know a local elderly man and his Pug, Dixie. When Dixie was diagnosed with breast cancer her owner was devestated because he could not afford the surgery required to remove the tumor. He was facing having to make a very tragic decision, one that would have left him alone, without his companion. John and Lillie decided to pay for Dixie's surgery. She recovered and went home to her grateful owner to live out her life.

The impact that this experience had on everyone was profound and John and Lillie talked about starting a "trust fund" for animals.
In 2004, 2 years after Lillie passed away from breast cancer John met and befriended a veterinary technician to whom he related the story of Dixie. Together they started Central Oregon Paws-Ability.

Today Paws-Ability has helped a small number of patients and their owners, but the need is huge and Paws-Ability is committed to raising the funds required to help many, many more animals and their people who are in need of financial assistance.

Please consider sending a donation to Paws-Ability. Help low and fixed income people whose pets are their life connection. When tragedy strikes, Paws-Ability is going to be there. Please help us help people help their pets.