Learn more about community organizations hoping to partner with UMKC on research and community-engaged learning. CAFE and ERCE are partnering on Faculty Field Trips to nonprofits along the Troost Cooridor. First up - Pawsperity.

Pawsperity: Pet Care That Unleashes Human Potential

UMKC Social Work has partnered extensively with Pawsperity and it is one of the MSW practicum sites.

Field trip includes tour of Pawsperity, meet and greet with leadership, and a networking lunch.

Since 2016, Pawsperity has been empowering families to break the cycle of generational poverty through hands-on training in the lucrative and flexible field of dog grooming. Founded by Natasha Herdman, the program offers six-to-eight-month courses, combining 644 hours of grooming education with soft skills like financial literacy and parenting. Students benefit from wraparound services such as case management and housing assistance, ensuring they can complete the program and secure employment. With a 100% job placement rate upon graduation, Pawsperity demonstrates that individuals can transcend their circumstances when given the right support and opportunities.