Honoring our past while continuing to grow our impact together.
This year is a meaningful one for us as Paws & Think celebrates 25 years of serving our community through the healing power of the human-dog connection. It is hard to believe how far we have come, and it feels especially important to pause and recognize the people and moments that made this possible.
Paws & Think was founded in 2001 by Gayle Hutchens, whose vision and compassion laid the foundation for everything we do today. What began as one person following a calling has grown into an organization that continues to bring comfort, connection, and hope to people of all ages across Central Indiana. While Gayle passed away in 2011, her legacy lives on in every visit, every volunteer team, and every life touched through this work.
Because of our incredible volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters, Paws & Think has continued to grow in both reach and impact.
- Our Therapy Dog Programs and Youth-Canine Programs impact more than 100,000 lives each year, more than doubling our reach since 2022
- We now support more than 170 therapy dog teams and over 300 active volunteers
- Volunteers donate over 9,400 hours annually, strengthening schools, hospitals, libraries, and community partners
- Since 2013, our Youth-Canine Program has impacted more than 500 shelter dogs and 900 youth
As we look ahead to the rest of this year, we are excited to honor our past while continuing to build toward the future. Thank you for being part of our story and for helping ensure that the impact of Paws & Think continues for years to come.
As we celebrate 25 years, we invite you to help us honor the moments and people that made it possible. Share a favorite memory, story, or reflection about what Paws & Think has meant to you!