“I'm really driven by figuring out how to help people live their best lives, be their best selves, thrive, and be independent.” - Michele Suchovsky
Michele Suchovsky was born in the U.P., and after moving around a bit, settled with her family and younger brother in Grand Rapids her junior year of high school. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan, and later, her Juris Doctorate from the University of Notre Dame Law School. It was during those formative college years that Suchovsky first became familiar with Paws With A Cause (PAWS) through a friend who had a PAWS dog, named WAGER.
“One of my best friends in college, Eric, uses a wheelchair and was actually one of the first clients that PAWS ever placed a mobility assist dog with,” Suchovsky recalled. She witnessed firsthand how WAGER helped Eric have a regular college experience. “WAGER really helped Eric be independent … live in an apartment on his own, go to football games, do all the things we want our parents to know about—and all the things we don't.”
Little did Suchovsky know at the time that she’d eventually lead the national nonprofit organization, joining as its CEO in 2018. Her path until that point—brimming with various nonprofit work—took her to organizations like Artists Creating Together, Mary Free Bed, and more. Because Suchovsky has always had a heart for helping others thrive, PAWS was a natural fit.
“I can’t fully describe what it means to be in this position and to see all the lives that our organization touches every year,” she shared. “Being here in this role has been such a blessing.”
From its initial inception in 1979 to now, PAWS and its custom-trained working dogs have helped thousands of people around the country live with independence, confidence, and companionship. 2025 saw the welcoming of a new era with the completion of a $10 million renovation to the PAWS headquarters in Wayland, made possible thanks to the organization’s Embrace the Journey Capital Campaign. The philanthropically-funded effort, led by Suchovsky and her team over the course of six years, includes a newly constructed 5,000-square-foot Canine Village and 55,000 square-foot renovation, encompassing a state-of-the-art Training Center, a dedicated veterinary clinic, expanded breeding and puppy spaces, enhanced ADA accessibility, and more.
Because of these significant updates and the organization’s over 500 volunteers, the reach of PAWS is now more vast than ever. Suchovsky is hopeful that PAWS dogs can be increasingly seen by society as a powerful tool for the people who need them.
“People have a lot of assumptions about those with disabilities … about what they can't do, or what's not possible,” she said. “With a dog, our clients can make choices about how they're going to spend their lives and what they're going to do with their time and energy. The dog becomes this amazing tool that loves you and that you love in return … it's such a powerful partnership.”
Whether it’s a dog assisting a woman with POTS by lifting her legs above her heart to regain consciousness should she suddenly pass out, or another dog allowing a woman born with cerebral palsy to be independent enough to foster and adopt three children, or the PAWS Prison Partner Program that benefits both the dogs and their inmate handlers, positive outcomes are almost countless.
For Suchovsky, success is measured by metrics, yes, but real success, she says, is seeing the impact on the people around you.
“And it's not just the impact on our clients—it's the PAWS staff, as well,” she explained. “I get to come into work every day and see the staff and volunteers who give their hearts to this work. It’s the quiet moments that I think show the real success. And then you see how it continues to ripple out into the community.”
Throughout her extraordinary and passionate work, which includes being a PAWS foster puppy raiser and breeding host home herself, Suchovsky is mindful about self-care and avoiding burnout. When she’s not working, Suchovsky loves nothing more than spending time with her husband and their four dogs—with whom she always feels most grounded. A self-proclaimed introvert, you can often find her cooking, baking, reading, and working out.
“I love getting up in the morning and just sitting on the couch for a few minutes with one of my dogs, and just having that quiet time to get my brain in that calm space before the day starts,” Suchovsky shared. “It sometimes means I don't always get my workout in, but I try!”
She also leans on a group of girlfriends she’s had a standing monthly meeting with since they were in their twenties.
“We all met and became a family by choice, and as we've gone through life, we made the commitment that we wanted to keep our relationships strong,” Suchovsky said. “It doesn't matter what else is going on in life. You come back to this key group of people and it’s a safe space. There's such power in having girlfriends like that.”
When looking toward the future, Suchovsky aims to continue the conversation around ensuring those with disabilities have a seat at the table in society, always. She also has her sights set on two affectionately named BHAGs (big, hairy, audacious goals) at PAWS.
“We're adding a new type of assistance dog training in 2026—medical alert detection. Our capacity before the renovation was about 50 to 55 assistance dog placements per year; our goal is to be at 100 by 2030,” Suchovsky detailed. “We’re also planning to continue investing in our animal assisted services, where you see PAWS dogs at places like schools and hospitals helping with learning or healthcare modalities, so that by 2035—much like our assistance dogs—we’re a leading national provider of facility dogs or visiting PAWS dogs.”
Ultimately, Suchovsky’s motivations are straightforward.
“PAWS exists to help people, and we and our dogs are fortunate to get to do it every day. That’s why I love what I do.”
Get involved with Paws With A Cause and learn more at pawswithacause.org.
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Spring ’26 issue of West Michigan Woman.
