Left to right:  Shirley Walker, Mardie Herndon, Dr. Charles Ransler, Glenn Denton, Joe Framptom, Meredith Schroeder, Conner Framptom, Diana Quesada, John Durbin.

The check was presented to Gabrielle Cecil, PwP’s Director of Training and Programs, at a Paducah Bank Board of Directors meeting in Louisville, prior to the grand opening of the bank’s new Louisville office later that same day. Cecil, and the bank’s sponsored service dog, Walker, were guests at the grand opening as well.
 
Diana Quesada, Senior Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager in Louisville, is a board member of Paws with Purpose.  “The dogs are provided at no cost,” explains Quesada. “We recently placed three of our dogs with veterans who suffer from combat related PTSD. This work is so important and so meaningful to all of us who are involved.”
 
The dogs are primarily Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Lab/Golden crosses.  The dogs spend up to two years in training before they find their true dream job! The dogs are trained at a women’s prison Monday thru Friday.  Volunteers take the dogs on the weekends to socialize them.  The total cost to ready and care for each dog is approximately $20,000. 
 
PwP is funded by private contributions; gifts from businesses, civic groups and service clubs; grants from corporations and foundations; and ongoing fundraising activities.  “We have several partnership opportunities, but my favorite is the Vest Program,” says Quesada. “During the training period, our dogs spend the weekend with volunteer trainers who take the dogs everywhere to socialize them.  Each dog wears a vest with the sponsor’s logo.  No one can resist coming up to our dogs and petting them and asking questions.  It’s a great way to get some visibility.”   
 
“Paducah Bank is proud to be a Vest Sponsor for Louisville’s Paws with Purpose,” says Mardie Herndon, Paducah Bank President. “This is a very special way for our bank and Diana to support a unique service that meets the needs of so many children and adults in the community. We know this meaningful project is close to Diana’s heart, and we are happy to work with her to aid in bringing these dogs to those who need their special assistance.”

For more information on this outstanding program, visit  https://www.pawswithpurpose.org/get-involved/puppy-sponsorship/.
 
The new Paducah Bank Louisville office is located on the ground floor of Hurstbourne Park at 9200 Shelbyville Road, Suite 101. The phone number is 502.690.8WOW (8969).