Crystal Snyder has spent more than a decade training assistance dogs for people with disabilities, work that will reach a major milestone this January when she places her 100th dog.
Her career at Paws With A Cause began in canine care, where she was responsible for feeding dogs and cleaning kennels. Over time, she moved into assistance dog training, developing the skills required to prepare dogs for highly individualized partnerships. Today, as Training Manager, Crystal continues to train dogs while overseeing the teams that support them.
The 100 dogs Crystal has trained have been placed with individuals across West Michigan and in 30 states nationwide. Each dog is custom-trained to meet the specific needs of its future partner, often requiring months of preparation and problem-solving. Some dogs are taught tasks that have never been trained before, allowing clients to navigate daily life with greater independence and confidence.
Crystal’s motivation is rooted in both her love of dog training and her commitment to making daily life more accessible for people with disabilities. She is driven by the tangible outcomes of her work—watching clients perform tasks independently, move more safely through their environments, and gain support that extends beyond physical assistance.
The placement of her 100th dog, WALT, a mobility assistance dog, represents the cumulative impact of years of consistent, behind-the-scenes work. Together, these 100 partnerships reflect a national footprint and a lasting contribution to the lives of people who rely on assistance dogs to live more independently.
Her career at Paws With A Cause began in canine care, where she was responsible for feeding dogs and cleaning kennels. Over time, she moved into assistance dog training, developing the skills required to prepare dogs for highly individualized partnerships. Today, as Training Manager, Crystal continues to train dogs while overseeing the teams that support them.
The 100 dogs Crystal has trained have been placed with individuals across West Michigan and in 30 states nationwide. Each dog is custom-trained to meet the specific needs of its future partner, often requiring months of preparation and problem-solving. Some dogs are taught tasks that have never been trained before, allowing clients to navigate daily life with greater independence and confidence.
Crystal’s motivation is rooted in both her love of dog training and her commitment to making daily life more accessible for people with disabilities. She is driven by the tangible outcomes of her work—watching clients perform tasks independently, move more safely through their environments, and gain support that extends beyond physical assistance.
The placement of her 100th dog, WALT, a mobility assistance dog, represents the cumulative impact of years of consistent, behind-the-scenes work. Together, these 100 partnerships reflect a national footprint and a lasting contribution to the lives of people who rely on assistance dogs to live more independently.
