Ava Tvedten, owner of Paws for Cause, pauses for a picture with her Boxer.

It is a long ways, almost 1,600 miles, from Melbourne Beach, Florida, to Blue Earth, Minnesota. But, that is how far a young female from the Sunshine State traveled to make a new home in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and in the process start a business caring for and providing boarding, training and rescue services for dogs, cats and many other four-legged animals.

“It was 2011 and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had just gone through some layoffs,” Ava Tvedten says. “I was out of high school and trying to find a job. It was tough to compete with the people who had been NASA employees in the job market.”

Ava, who met and married Rob Tvedten once she moved to Minnesota, tells the story of how she came to Minnesota.

“I won’t mention any names but there was a guy from the Blue Earth area who was in the same establishment I was in back home,” she explains. “He started loudly complaining how there was nothing to do in Melbourne Beach and I decided to educate him on all the fun things one could do in my hometown.”

This guy would end up becoming a friend and he suggested she come to Minnesota and see what the Blue Earth area had to offer.

“And that is what I did,” Ava comments. “Although I still consider myself a southern gal, I have managed to lose most of my southern drawl.”

And Florida’s loss has been Minnesota’s gain.

The Tvedtens were married in 2018 and Ava started her business, Paws for Cause, in January of 2019. It is located on Rob and Ava’s place south of Blue Earth in Pilot Grove Township.

“I did not open my business just to provide boarding and training of animals,” she explains. “I want to be able to provide an informational hub for other community members who are seeking to learn more about the animal world, including things such as training, behavior, nutrition and other general health concerns.”

But, she does provide boarding and training.

“Much of what I do consists of behavior rehabilitation and basic obedience,” Ava says. “I also train the owner and their dog so they can get their Service Animal certificate. I have also trained PTSD service animals.”

She shares that service dogs are specially trained to perform specific tasks for people with disabilities.

“Dogs can be trained to alert people to allergies. They can also be trained to alert their person to potentially-deadly blood sugar highs and lows. Diabetic alert dogs are typically also trained to alert other people in the household or set off an alarm if their person needs medical assistance,” Ava explains. “Other dogs are trained to assist individuals before, during and after a seizure.”

Ava is also able to train dogs to be watchdogs.

“I like to joke with people that I can train their dog to do about anything except their taxes,” she says with a laugh. “Of course, what the pet owner does when they get their animal home is up to them. And, if I am unable to train the dogs, I know someone who can.”

Police chief Tim Brenegan of Wells has expressed his appreciation to Paws for Cause for assisting the city of Wells in getting microchips placed in pets.

“Getting microchips in pets is a way to help the community,” Ava comments. “In Wells, the police officers can now use a scanner if they find a lost pet and if the pet has a microchip, the officer will be able to figure out where the pet’s home is and they do not have to get an animal control officer from Blue Earth to come and get the dog.”

Ava would also like to work with local 4-H clubs.

“I would love to partner with parents and 4-H families and the Humane Societies in Blue Earth and the surrounding areas,” she says. “It could be an opportunity to connect people with dogs and maybe lead to some adoptions.”

Ava has also taken in some rabbits that she is making available to 4-H members to work with so they can show them at the county fair.

“Again, it’s a great opportunity to connect young kids to animals,” she adds.

While Ava’s training work is mostly with dogs, she also has done some horse training.

“Sometimes when I am working with a dog and getting stumped, it helps to go work with a horse for awhile,” she comments. “Things quite often go better after I take a break from the animal I am having trouble with.”

Ava shares she is always excited to learn, and one look at all of the certificates she has earned demonstrates her commitment to provide the best service possible.

“I am certified in animal behavior training, canine massage and therasage,” she says. “It is always good to learn new methods of training.”

Her personal favorite dogs are the Rottweilers and German Shepherds which she feels are great serve and protect animals.

“They are also my favorite dogs to train,” Ava notes. “My favorite adult dogs just might be the Labs.”

People wanting to learn more about Paws for Cause can check out their Facebook page or contact Ava at 507-525-4855.