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4Paws4Service: Service Dogs in Action!
Do we have stories for you! This page is dedicated to spreading first-hand information about what happens once a family and its service dog leave the 4 Paws for Ability training center in Xenia, Ohio. Miracles happen with service dogs! Above, you'll find links to illustrated stories in PDF format. Enjoy, and pass the word. August 24, 2010. When taking Riley to his middle school to drop off supplies, I took Max and Irish along. Typically Riley is very nervous taking Max around his school or peers that aren't necesarrily close friends. Max can have embarassing behaviors for me to handle, much less a 7th grader! He was nervous that day too, but Irish's effect on Max was so noticable. Max stayed right with us and didn't fight his tether. He sat and petted her when we took a long time talking to his counselor...instead of exploring the school, getting lost, being loud, defiant,etc. Then we went shoe shopping and Max's behavior was once again so appropriate. Kids keep coming up to us to ask if they can pet Irish and I have Max answer "Yes." He is having so many more socialization opportunities because of Irish. We also went to our town's big festival and she was a champ. All the noise and food and people didn't faze her a bit. We are so proud of her! Carrie. July 1, 2010. From Kristen, Mother to Maya and SD Miami. It's been almost two weeks since the training and I am still bursting with gratitude. The trainers Jeremy, Jennifer, Kayla, Kristie, and Jessalyn were extraordinary. Knowledgeable, supportive, funny, helpful, compassionate, gifted. Karen is inspiring. Suzanne the vet was really helpful. 4 Paws staff members were friendly and approachable. The families rocked! The dogs are all amazing. I kept clapping for them! Thanks to all! The atmosphere was wonderful-relaxed, supportive.. .On the first day, Jeremy told us he knew kids would have melt downs, run across the room, scream, cry, seize during class. None of it would bother the trainers. He just wanted to make sure we could hear him, so just let him know if he needed to adjust the mike. How I wish most places I go would adopt that mentality!! Getting to hang out with other families experiencing some similar challenges was also a gift So is this list for that matter. Thanks to all who are on it and share struggles, silly stories, possible solutions, and hope. It is wonderful to be home with Miami! She is awesome. Maya had a tough week last week -having 33 partial complex seizures. Miami was around for about half of those and helped alert me to 3 of them when I was in another room. She sleeps by Maya at night. Maya loves when we practice "over." She likes the deep pressure. Most times it makes her laugh. She loves to throw the tennis ball with Miami (Maya has a longer attention span for that than Miami does). Maya likes to give her treats. Maya also likes to bring all of Miami's toys to her regardless of where Miami is (we're working on gently bringing them to her, also working on helping Maya handle surprise licks and surprise sniffing, and occasional incidental scratching with a paw.) Miami is super sweet with neighbor kids, dogs, and cats. Awesome blessing to have Miami in our family. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you 4 Paws!!!...Kristen
We didn't know if she had gone upstairs to the public library? Outside(not the best neighborhood)? To the bathroom, or if she was hiding somewhere in the studio (which is in an old winding basement with lots of nooks and crannies and offices. Jingle went to a side room. I poked my head in and looked around but she wasn't in there, so I took Jingle with me to look all over for her, the teacher and I spread out. Turns out she was hiding in the room Jingle led me to, but I had her on the leash and didn't let her go all the way in and get her. Jingle isn't a tracking dog. We aren't trained in this, and I was upset and in a hurry to find her in case she'd run outside so I hadn't trusted Jingle, and had actually led her away from Riley. We love our Jing. She is a great dog. She actually cries when she loses site of Riley, for example if we are in a public place, and Riley leaves to use the rest room. I should have known she was right...Michelle O'Neil May 18, 2010 From Heather N., Mom to Jonathan and Buddy (SD-Spring Loaded '09). Hi Everyone!
It's been a long time since I've posted to the group, but I wanted to share what a great morning we had today. I took Jonathan to the doctor and Buddy went with us. (We've had Buddy a year now). We were going to the doctor to get a script for an aug. comm. device for Jonathan. He is basically non-verbal. May 6, 2010 from Maggie and Kevin. Danny & Kermit are great. One thing we've noticed, and I"m not even sure if 4 Paws worked on this. But Danny has a hard time transitioning from the van into the house when we get home from somewhere. Before Kermit, it would take average of 20 minutes to an hour! We did show this in our video. Since Kermit, he transitions from the van anywhere from immediately to 10 minutes! It has reduced substantially! Kermit will go out and keep checking on Danny and usually just wait with him out in the garage. Last night Kermit got left in the garage because I didn't even realize he was waiting with Danny! Darn that dark fur! They are really starting to bond and Kermit loves watching over Danny. December 17, 2009 Carolyn, Steve, Hannah and Sirius Ellefson here! We just wanted to send you a quick update on our newest family member....Mr. SIRIUS!, and suggest a type of service dog that 4 Paws must be training! Sirius is wonderful and we love every furry inch of him. He is a celebrity at the school and everywhere he goes the kids say "Hi Hannah! Hi Sirius" It is just awesome. I just wanted to share with Jeremy, Jen, and Jessa as well as all of the staff and trainers at 4 paws that not only have you trained the most incredible Seizure Alert/Tracking dog for Hannah, but you have also trained an unbelievable avalanche rescue dog!! Ha Ha. We came home to Okotoks Alberta Canada on Sunday December 13th to 4 feet of snow and -29 degree temperatures. This was quite a shock to poor old Sirius. We promptly purchased booties for him and he is adapting to them slowly (I think he is a little embarrassed). However, today it is -1 degrees and actually quite nice outdoors but the 3-4 feet of snow remains. Sirius went into the backyard and played fetch with his beloved tennis ball in all of that snow! Ready for the funny part? He missed a throw from Steve and the ball sunk about 3 feet in the soft snow. Poor Sirius! We thought we would find it in the spring thaw, but NOOOOOOOOo!!! Sirius buried his head and entire upper body at least 2 feet deep in the snow and retrieved the ball. He had snow up his nose, in his ears, all over his head and in his eyes! Tail wagging, he leaped like a jack rabbit through the snow drift and did laps around the yard as proud as can be with the frozen tennis ball in his mouth! Did I mention he is perfect!!!!! We just adore him. At night, Sirius gets tucked in (under the covers) in Hannah's Disney princess decorated bed. He has his own pillow and his favorite girl by his side always! We are so thankful to everyone at 4 Paws for this amazing opportunity. Sirius is a dream come true for our entire family. He has to do 6 hours of public access testing with our Alberta Government tomorrow (half at the school and half at the Walmart and a local pet store), but we know he will dazzle them all. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for this wonderful gift. You will be forever in our hearts. Sirius is such a blessing. With love and warm wishes for a happy healthy Christmas season, Carolyn, Steve, Kalen, Connor, Hannah Rae, and Sirius Ellefson (aka the Avalanche Rescue Super Dog) September 29,2009 Just had to share! Zachary had his speech therapy this evening. We took Duke with us. After therapy, Zachary was showing the therapist some tricks that Duke does. When we were leaving, Zachary told the therapist, "See you next week" and "Goodbye". She remarked that it was the first time he had used social language with her on his own, without a prompt. This is one of his goals and the reason why he's going to speech privately, in addition to school-based speech therapy - to learn those pragmatic skills.
Cody's school loves PollyAugust 18, 2009. Just a quick note. Polly, Cody and I went to the school today to train the teachers that Cody will have this coming year. Polly was a ham as usual, she did everything perfectly you would have thought she was a robot. All of the teachers that work with Cody we in awe, they couldn't believe that she was so good with him. The coolest thing was when we got there waiting for everyone who needed to see what was going on, Cody had a very small seizure. Polly was right there doing her thing, and once it was all over and he was back to normal, she went back to her place and lay back down. Their questions, I believe, were all answered at that time. What a better way that to have them see her in action. So needless to say they can't wait for her to come an join the class and be part of the education team. They may all learn a thing or two from Polly this year...Ronda, mom of Cody and Polly, June 2009 Class.
Service dogs calm their children tremendously when they have hospital visits, and Shenandoah is no exception. Shenandoah really helps keep Kira calm for blood draws and IV insertions. More on Kira and Shenandoah!
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May 22, 2010 We were in the October 2009 class, my daughter Riley is paired with Jingle, an autism service dog. Riley is almost ten and has Asperger's and severe anxiety. Riley ran away yesterday, during a clay sculpture class. She ran screaming down a long narrow hallway that led to several places. I followed with Jingle on the leash, but we weren't quick enough. Riley took a corner and disappeared.
August 18, 2009. Wanted to let you guys know what a blessing Keeper is to Paul every day. 
June 2009 graduate Cody Ross and his seizure service dog, Polly have stories to tell. 
Kira and her family live in the Pacific Northwest, and she couldn't wait to meet Shenandoah; she knew what the dog looked like ahead of time, and went right to her crate when they arrived at the 4 Paws facility in Ohio for training.