4 Paws for Ability | Photo by Soham Parikh | The Wright State Guardian
The student organization 4 Paws for Ability has shut down as it currently reorganizes and rebuilds.
They will also not be accepting new members, according to Amaya Willemsen, president of 4 Paws.
Reorganization of the organization
“[4 Paws for Ability] is currently on pause to make it easier for the members of the organization. We are currently not accepting members this semester and they are more than welcome to apply in the fall,” said Willemsen.
The nonprofit agency 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, Ohio is a separate entity from the student organization called 4 Paws for Ability on Wright State’s campus.
4 Paws Xenia not affected
The nonprofit agency 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, Ohio is a separate entity from the student organization called 4 Paws for Ability on Wright State’s campus.
The volunteer dog trainers that work with the nonprofit in Xenia and attend classes at Wright State are unaffected by the pause and changes occurring within the student organization on campus, according to a representative for 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia.
“We will not be answering questions regarding 4 Paws the organization at Wright State or any events [referring to events such as Fuzz Therapy],” said Jessica Begley, 4 Paws treasurer.
“For an organization to be paused, there needs to be a reason. It’s not random,” said Debbie Lamp, associate director of student involvement and leadership.
The student organization 4 Paws being paused does not affect any of the students who have or would like to have a 4 Paws for Ability registered service dog on campus, according to Courtney Mullins, the program manager of student organizations.
“The situation is much like a human resources issue, where it is not something that I am at liberty to discuss,” said Mullins. “In terms of student organizations being on probation, there is also nothing to be said about it. It rarely happens and is a case by case situation where the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership makes the decision of the sanctions.”
