Events and News

Barks & Brews Summer Tour

This summer, Helping Paws is partnering with local breweries for the Barks & Brews Summer Tour! Each participating brewery will host a designated tour stop, where you'll have the opportunity to meet Helping Paws Assistance Dogs, staff, and volunteers while enjoying great local craft beer. Each brewery will donate a portion of sales to Helping Paws.

Collect Your Pawsport

Visit participating breweries throughout the summer and collect stamps in your official Helping Paws Pawsport—a passport-style booklet available at each tour stop. The more breweries you visit, the more chances you'll have to win! Pawsports will be available for pickup at the Helping Paws Training Center during the last week of July and will also be available at each brewery during the event.



Raffle Entry

• One brewery stamp = one raffle entry
• Visit multiple breweries to earn additional entries.
• 2 stamps = 2 entries
• 3 stamps = 3 entries
• And so on!

Complete the tour for your best chance to win Tail Waggin' Dinner tickets!

Tour Schedule

• August 9 | 12:00–4:00 p.m. – Boom Island Brewing Company
• August 16 | 12:00–5:00 p.m. – Lupulin Brewing Company
• August 19 – Location & time coming soon
• August 22 | 12:00–3:00 p.m. – Surly Brewing Company

Barks & Brews Summer Tour

This summer, Helping Paws is partnering with local breweries for the Barks & Brews Summer Tour! Each participating brewery will host a designated tour stop, where you'll have the opportunity to meet Helping Paws Assistance Dogs, staff, and volunteers while enjoying great local craft beer. Each brewery will donate a portion of sales to Helping Paws.

Collect Your Pawsport

Visit participating breweries throughout the summer and collect stamps in your official Helping Paws Pawsport—a passport-style booklet available at each tour stop. The more breweries you visit, the more chances you'll have to win! Pawsports will be available for pickup at the Helping Paws Training Center during the last week of July and will also be available at each brewery during the event.



Raffle Entry

• One brewery stamp = one raffle entry
• Visit multiple breweries to earn additional entries.
• 2 stamps = 2 entries
• 3 stamps = 3 entries
• And so on!

Complete the tour for your best chance to win Tail Waggin' Dinner tickets!

Tour Schedule

• August 9 | 12:00–4:00 p.m. – Boom Island Brewing Company
• August 16 | 12:00–5:00 p.m. – Lupulin Brewing Company
• August 19 – Location & time coming soon
• August 22 | 12:00–3:00 p.m. – Surly Brewing Company

Helping Paws Day at Davanni's

Date: Tuesday, August 18
Time: All day
Location: All Davanni's locations

Make your meal count! On Tuesday, August 18, dine at any Davanni's location, and 10% of your dine-in, takeout, or curbside order will be donated to Helping Paws to support the training and placement of Assistance Dogs.

Invite your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors to join you for a delicious way to give back. At select Davanni's locations, you'll even have the chance to meet a Helping Paws Assistance Dog team.

Can't make it that day? Davanni's is accepting donations at checkout throughout the entire month, giving you another easy way to support Helping Paws.

Barks & Brews Summer Tour

This summer, Helping Paws is partnering with local breweries for the Barks & Brews Summer Tour! Each participating brewery will host a designated tour stop, where you'll have the opportunity to meet Helping Paws Assistance Dogs, staff, and volunteers while enjoying great local craft beer. Each brewery will donate a portion of sales to Helping Paws.

Collect Your Pawsport

Visit participating breweries throughout the summer and collect stamps in your official Helping Paws Pawsport—a passport-style booklet available at each tour stop. The more breweries you visit, the more chances you'll have to win! Pawsports will be available for pickup at the Helping Paws Training Center during the last week of July and will also be available at each brewery during the event.



Raffle Entry

• One brewery stamp = one raffle entry
• Visit multiple breweries to earn additional entries.
• 2 stamps = 2 entries
• 3 stamps = 3 entries
• And so on!

Complete the tour for your best chance to win Tail Waggin' Dinner tickets!

Tour Schedule

• August 9 | 12:00–4:00 p.m. – Boom Island Brewing Company
• August 16 | 12:00–5:00 p.m. – Lupulin Brewing Company
• August 19 – 6:00 –8:00 p.m - The Hearth
• August 22 | 12:00–3:00 p.m. – Surly Brewing Company

Barks & Brews Summer Tour

This summer, Helping Paws is partnering with local breweries for the Barks & Brews Summer Tour! Each participating brewery will host a designated tour stop, where you'll have the opportunity to meet Helping Paws Assistance Dogs, staff, and volunteers while enjoying great local craft beer. Each brewery will donate a portion of sales to Helping Paws.

Collect Your Pawsport

Visit participating breweries throughout the summer and collect stamps in your official Helping Paws Pawsport—a passport-style booklet available at each tour stop. The more breweries you visit, the more chances you'll have to win! Pawsports will be available for pickup at the Helping Paws Training Center during the last week of July and will also be available at each brewery during the event.

Raffle Entry

• One brewery stamp = one raffle entry
• Visit multiple breweries to earn additional entries.
• 2 stamps = 2 entries
• 3 stamps = 3 entries
• And so on!

Complete the tour for your best chance to win Tail Waggin' Dinner tickets!

Tour Schedule

• August 9 | 12:00–4:00 p.m. – Boom Island Brewing Company
• August 16 | 12:00–5:00 p.m. – Lupulin Brewing Company
• August 19 – Location & time coming soon
• August 22 | 12:00–3:00 p.m. – Surly Brewing Company

A Future in Motion is the theme of our 2026 Tail Waggin’ Dinner and Helping Paws’ multi-year strategic initiative to strengthen every stage of our organization so we can meet the growing demand for Assistance Dogs and increase the number of placements each year.
 

Click Here For Tickets
 

This year, we’re focusing on our breeding and early puppy development program—building a stronger foundation through purposeful breeding, early enrichment, volunteer engagement, and individualized development. From carefully selected breeding and loving volunteer homes to research-informed enrichment and early learning, we’re giving each puppy the foundation they need to thrive. By evaluating each puppy as an individual and supporting their growth through exploration, enrichment, and development, we can better prepare them for the journey ahead.
 

PRICING

In-Person - $150/adult, $60/current volunteer, $50/Graduate, or a table of 10 for $1,200.
Note - $60 is tax-deductible. Guests attending with current volunteers or graduates pay the standard adult ticket price of $150.

ACTIVITIES AND SCHEDULE

5:00 - 6:30 PM - Reception
Enjoy a reception with a cash bar, a silent auction, butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, games, raffles, and time to connect with our community and assistance dogs.

6:30 PM - Dinner and Program
Join us for an inspiring evening as we explore A Future in Motion and the work Helping Paws is doing to strengthen our Assistance Dog program. Hear from long-time volunteers Jordy and Beth, along with Shannon and facility dog Herbie, as they share stories that bring our impact to life. Hosted by Brian Lansing of FOX 9, the evening will also honor Pat and Jim Hemak, Cindy Herman, and SFM Mutual Insurance for their extraordinary support as we celebrate the people, purpose, and progress moving Helping Paws toward a future where more Assistance Dogs can change lives.

PARKING
Free self-parking is available in any MOA ramp; the east ramp, next to L.L.Bean, is closest. Paid valet parking or accessible parking is available at the Radisson Blu.

MORE INFORMATION
For questions about registration or additional information, contact Events Manager Luis Ventura at lventura@helpingpaws.org or 952-988-9359 x110.