Paws of Hope: Walking the New Civic Path Together

When our Paws of Hope circle gathered to read The New Civic Path by Rich Harwood, we came together as colleagues connected by one shared belief, that hope, like the work we do at Dogs Inc., is built one small act at a time.

At first, it felt like a simple book discussion, but it quickly became something more. It became a space for honesty, about what it means to live with hope, to lead with empathy, and to keep showing up for one another even when things feel uncertain.

We found ourselves talking about the difference between false hope and authentic hope. False hope is easy, and it looks like quick fixes or feel-good promises that fade just as quickly. Authentic hope, though, takes time and commitment. It’s built through trust, shared effort, and the willingness to keep going. Someone compared it to the way a service dog is trained, no one person can do it alone, but when everyone plays their part, something extraordinary happens. “Hope,” one pack member said, “feels a lot like teamwork in motion.”

As the weeks went on, we began noticing how easy it is for people and organizations to drift into silos, focusing inward instead of outward. The book challenged us to turn our attention back toward the community, to listen more deeply, and to focus on shared aspirations rather than individual frustrations. Turning outward doesn’t always mean taking on something big; sometimes it starts with a simple question: “How can I help?”

There were moments of laughter, we weaved in lighthearted conversations that reminded us that joy and connection are part of civic life. Those moments mattered just as much as the serious ones. They reminded us that when we come together as people, not just as coworkers or roles, we create the kind of trust that real change needs.

Over time, we found ourselves drawn to the idea that small actions build momentum. Someone shared about organizing an event that wasn’t as big as in past years, but it still brought people together. Another reflected on checking on a neighbor after a storm, and how a small gesture of care could ripple outward. Again and again, we came back to this simple truth: action, even small and flawed, is what moves hope forward.

By our final gathering, the conversation had shifted. It wasn’t about our organizations anymore; it was about us and about who we are as a community and how we want to show up in the world. We talked about how easy it is to wait for someone else to fix things, and how real progress begins when we take that first step ourselves. It can be uncomfortable, but every time we reach out, introduce ourselves, or lend a hand, we help rebuild the sense of belonging that holds communities together.

“Hope isn’t found in waiting,”. “It’s found in showing up.”

Even though we would continue to see each other around campus, we ended our three sessions knowing that hope doesn’t begin in big speeches or grand plans. It begins in small circles like ours with honest conversations, shared laughter, and the willingness to keep walking together.

“One act. One paw. One person at a time, that’s how hope grows.”

And that’s exactly what we plan to keep doing.

Click here to register for a book circle near you, either in person or virtual!