4 Paws

4Paws was the inspiration of a dear friend and animal advocate, Chris Williams. His idea was to make the world a better place for animals and people by better understanding the emotional bond they share.

Shortly after his death, ten individuals came together in early 2010 to work on Chris’ project. In September of that year, 4Paws was incorporated in northern California, and officially became a 501(c)(3) in 2011. The organization’s mission is to ensure and enrich the relationship between people and their pets through education and service to the community.

To date, 4Paws volunteer teams visit residential care facilities, hospitals, libraries and classrooms, in the Greater North Bay area of San Francisco. They share their canine companions with anyone needing comfort or a loving nudge of the nose.

In keeping with Chris’ vision, 4Paws offers classes to the community on a host of topics: pet nutrition, canine behavior, positive training methods, exercise programs, and adjunct therapies such as massage and acupuncture.