By Colleen Pierson
WKTV Contributing Writer
Paws with a Cause CEO Michele Suchovsky loves her job.
“I love the puppies and seeing the impact of the work we do with them,” she said. “We find the right dog for the right client and help people be independent.”
Paws With A Cause® enhances the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities nationally through custom-trained Assistance Dogs.
Michele was recently awarded the Marge Wilson Community Service Award from the AMBUCS. The event took place at Marge’s Donut Den. Numerous political figures, previous winners of the award, and community supporters came out to celebrate with the 2019 award recipient.
“I was shocked—blown away, so deeply honored to receive this highly prestigious award,” Suchovaky said with a face breaking grin.
The award goes to individuals who work hard in improving the lives of individuals with disabilities.
Suchovsky, who has been with Paws for a year, is an experienced nonprofit leader. She has served for 15 years as executive director of two nonprofit organizations — the first is the arts and disability organization Very Special Arts and the second is The Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation. Suchovsky has always helped to impact and improve the lives of people throughout West Michigan.
Her work is far from over. At Paws With a Cause, she is looking forward to placing more service dogs with appropriate clients.
“In the next five years we want to increase placement by 60 percent,” she said. “We are also working with K-12 schools.”
