4 Paws for Ability Service Dogs
Do you know of a disabled person who needs a service dog? 4 Paws
for Ability has few restrictions for acceptance and works with
most families within the boundaries of our organization's ability
to train and place the type of dog needed. We say "yes" when
many more traditional assistance dog placement agencies say "no."
Our founder is alive today because
of a service dog. She's devoted her life to making the same
kind of help available to other disabled children and adults.
Please help us continue to build our meaningful, rewarding work.
Your help will be a life-changing act
for a child, a family, a dog, and for you (it's more than a project!).
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School district resists although Mom says son needs service dog
August 26 2010. A Kentucky mother says her son's civil rights are being violated by the school system. The Hancock County parent says her son is not allowed to have his seizure-assistance service dog with him in the classroom. Read entire story by WFIE.com's Jasmin Embers
Saeger Middle School Appoints Service Dogs to Staff of Paraprofessionals
 Check out the newest members of the Saeger Middle School Staff!
If you click on the link, scroll down under the Paraprofessionals heading you'll see some familiar names: Harry and Monroe, 4 Paws Service Dogs. Saeger included the dogs in their staff photos and we're happy to share them on the 4 Paws for Ability Site.
 
Update on Meeko
August 26 2010. Meeko is a German line German Shepherd who was donated by a soldier who was in Iraq (read original story here, and he has what we call garbage gut which means he got loose stools very easily. We felt he would do better in a pet placement than a stressful service dog placement. "He went from 64 lbs to 100 in the five months I've had him," says Jim Weber. "No fat! He LOVES to swim and I keep him exercised about 2 hours a day. And, let me say it again, the job 4 Paws did with him is incredible.
"He is happy, healthy, loving, and intelligent. He has made friends with every one of my neighbors (their pets too). Even my cats like him! He obeys commands and stays in my unfenced yard without my having to watch him. He has become my best friend and constant companion. I cannot thank you enough!
Cadi Gives Physician Approval
August 2010. Anna is now off the heart/lung bypass pump. A note about how well 4 Paws Dogs are trained. When we met Anna's heart surgeon, Cadi was in a place in a corner of the exam room. She stayed there for the entire examination/discussion of the surgery: 55+ minutes. As things were wrapping up, she gets out of her place, walks over to the surgeon and rolls on her back (the ultimate position of submission in a dog's world) under his crossed feet. She seemed to be saying, "Okay you've got my approval to operate on my girl's heart."
Cadi's been going to school with Anna for two years and always she stays where she is told to stay. So for her to just get up and move, well she must have thought it was an important moment. Another service offered by 4 Paws Dogs: Physician Approval.
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| Assistance
Dogs |
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Make
a Dream Come True |
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| Do
you or your child have disabilities that fall into two categories
of service dogs? Ask about our multipurpose service dogs!
We train our dogs case specific and
will work with you to meet your or your child's unique needs... |
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Dylan and Casey Hung, both diagnosed with autism, need a service dog to help them through some very rough spots in life...Read more about how to make a dream come true for Dylan, Casey, and their family... |
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| Donate
to 4 Paws for Ability |
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Online
Support Network |
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| We rely on
the generosity of individuals, as well as corporations, and
accept donations for operating expenses, training, food, toys,
training supplies, medication, and our building fund. Learn
more about how your donation can change lives... |
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"I was
always afraid to join a support
group, I thought all I would ever hear
was parents complain about their
special needs child, or why did God let
this happen to them. This
group has
blown me away with their love, friend-
ship, faith, and zest for life..." |
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| Frequently
Asked Questions |
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Our
Mission and Goals |
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| How do
you decide who gets a dog? We believe service dogs should
be made available to anyone with a disability who wishes to
have the love, companionship, and independence
that are the result of a service dog placement... |
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We not only
serve the needs of children with disabilities, but we strive
to reduce the number of unwanted animals who would otherwise
be destroyed by obtaining the majority
of our animals from shelters and rescue groups... |
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August 2, 2010 from Cleveland Plain Dealer...written by Emmanuel Romero. A pediatric patient with developmental disorders takes her new service dog with her to hospital appointments -- and the staff is amazed at the difference a dog makes in facilitating her treatment. "Treating patients' anxiety without medications is ultimately beneficial," says Lisa Perry, child life specialist at UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. Read the full article here.
Day 1-Service Dog Training
 August 3, 2010 Today was the big day we had been waiting for. The day Sophia met Truman in person! It was a long day yesterday, getting packed, dropping off my seven-year-old daughter Cece at her Aunt's and listening to Sophia ask "Are we there yet?" every 20 minutes for 5 hours. That was nothing compared to the exhaustion of today. Here are highlights of Day 1 from The Sensory Hippo:
How much does a service dog cost?
At 4 Paws For Ability it costs $22,000 to train and place a service dog with a disabled child. However, our families engage in fundraising activities as volunteers for 4 Paws to qualify for a free service dog. Each family is asked to help raise at least $13,000. It costs about $1,500 - $2,000 to maintain a service dog each year...about $100 a month. Learn more about costs...
Learn about our capital campaign and read our newsletter full of crucial information.
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