PAWS at Iowa, a student organization advocating for human-animal interaction and therapy on campus, won first place and $850 at the Hawkeyes Hustle Pitch Competition on Dec. 7 in the Pomerantz Building.

PAWS at Iowa team members are Montala Carruthers, Erin Elizalde, Drew Jauron, Carly O’Brien, and Mitch Winterlin.

“Short-term, we want to try to have more events where we bring therapy dogs on campus so students can interact with them,” Winterlin said. “Our long-term goal is to be able to have resident therapy dogs on campus, so this money will go toward hosting events and hopefully being able to afford a therapy dog in the future.”

Finishing second and winning $750 was Exercise is Medicine, an organization looking to improve health throughout campus and the Iowa City area by providing access to exercise resources.

Third place at $650 went to the Vietnamese Student Association, a group working toward Asian support and union throughout Iowa City.

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) encourages student organizations to leave a lasting impact on campus. Iowa JPEC funds the best organizations a guaranteed $250 for participating in the Hawkeyes Hustle Pitch Competition after attending three training sessions. The best pitches will be awarded additional funds.

Iowa JPEC is the hub for entrepreneurship education and outreach at the University of Iowa.