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Will You Help Make A Dream Come True?
Josh Woosley :: Alexander Lubrant :: Braeden Allen :: Alexander LeBlanc :: Dakota Foster :: Andrew Smith
He loves for you to clap and shake hands. Just because he is unable to speak, does not mean that Christian doesn't have lots to say. He makes this clear to his family every day! Children with Angelman Syndrome have many special needs. Christian has no speech and very limited fine motor skills, so even basic sign language is almost impossible for him. They also have very many Autistic tendencies, and he does not have the capability to go on a shopping trip without the use of his wheelchair. Christian battles seizures daily, and even though he is eight years old, in many ways he is only 24 months. Christian's assistance dog will be trained to aid him with the use of Autistic behavior disruption, comfort after a seizure, search and rescue, and tethering. Based in Xenia, Ohio, 4 Paws For Ability strives to provide service dogs to families and children that struggle with life's daily challenges and would otherwise be turned away by many other agencies. 4 Paws trains a variety of assistance dogs, including but not limited to seizure assistance, mobility assistance, hearing ear dogs, and autism assistance. Some of the dogs even serve a little time in the Rover Prison Rehab Program as a stepping stone to becoming certified service dogs.
"We have discovered a magic that exist between children and dog, a magic that can become a life-saving miracle for a child paired with one of our Autism Assistance Dogs," states the 4 Paws website at http://www.4pawsforability.org. You can help to bring this magic to Christian's life by making a tax-deductible donation to 4 Paws For Ability, 253 Dayton Ave. Xenia, OH 45385. You will receive a letter of receipt back from 4 Paws for your 2008 taxes. You can contact Brandon Nichols for more information at (937) 638-6641 or email at angelmansguy@gmail.com. From our family to yours: Thank you and God bless.
Cody has epilepsy since birth. Over the past year-and-a-half his seizures have gotten worse, to the point that I'm not comfortable letting him do some of the things he has in the past by himself, or with friends. He will never be able to drive like other teens, and he is having a hard time understanding that. He needs a four-legged furry friend to help him out when he goes out to school and when he's around the house to help him be independent and raise his self esteem. Cody is a very lovable, pleasant young man. He loves animals and would love to have all kinds of them, but he knows that can't happen. He is independent as he can be. We let him do things that most parents wouldn't let a child with disabilities do. I dont' want him to miss out on anything if at all possible. This is why we need your help raising funds for a specially trained dog for Cody. Having a dog like this will literally change his life. Please help by giving a tax-free donation to 4 Paws for Ability in Cody's name. Ronda McCowen, Mom of Cody Ross
After giving birth to my third son, David, I knew something was not right. My little guy was treated and released for dehydration a few times and admitted for testing twice. The only thing found was an emptying delay. He was diagnosed with reflux and put on medication. At three months, he was put on Nasal Gastric tube feedings. Nights were endless with belly pain resulting in screams of anguish. The doctors tried their best, but nothing worked. After I became critically ill and landed in the hospital, a woman told me about nursing services I might use to help with David. That service sent a wonderful nurse and she spent 10 hours a night helping me for about two years. David had his G-tube placed January 2005. We still were hoping that he would grow out of this, but we didn't know what "this" was. Time passed. David suffered with many ear infections, colds, congestion, and pneumonia. He had long, uncomfortable nights. We felt so helpless. David never ate baby food, besides what we would smear in his mouth in an effort to provide some nutrition. We wanted him to eat so badly, and it was hard to see him scream and cry when we would try. When he was three, he started to accept French fries perhaps twice a month in small amounts and then Ritz crackers and Cheetos…and eventually the cheese off pizza. Right now he eats either no food in a day or, at the most, a quarter of a cup of the foods I mentioned. He can't talk very well, so we don't know the reasons for all of this.
David was put in the hospital because he developed Gastroparesis. They had to put a nasal gastric decompression tube in to release the pressure in his stomach. We were relieved that David responded to other treatment measures and surgery was not necessary. At that point, we wanted to go home and we blamed food for David's agony. We did, however, return to the hospital's feeding program, and completed it. The best part about the program is that they got David to sit quietly in front of food. They also got him to take bits of Trix yogurt! David is on his feeding pump every three or four hours for an hour, four times a day. He is doing well, and looks good, and we pray that some day he will thrive on his own. David will be going to Kennedy Kreiger Hospital in late 2008 for a two-month inpatient program. Now on to why we applied to 4 Paws for Ability for an autism service dog trained in search and rescue. He runs away. We've lost him on several occasions. It's hard to believe how fast he is. I always have to be a step ahead of him because just when I think he will stay, he's gone. David has no idea about strangers and he treats every place like its home. He just learned how to open the front door of the house and no matter what kind of blocks we put up, he figures a way to get around them. He won't hold our hands. Either he's gone or makes a spontaneous decision to chase a butterfly into the road or mix in with a nearby group of kids. David sleeps in our bed and refuses to sleep without us, and our hope is that he will feel secure enough to sleep in his own bed with his service dog. David loves dogs, but has no clue that he could actually bring one home to keep and to wake up to in the morning. Having a service dog will change David's life; he will be happier and safer, and may be more able to socialize. We will breathe easier knowing he has a best friend that will be there for him and vice versa. Some of David's behaviors are just starting, and we hope that we can teach him safety along the way. He has learned some things, but we have a long road ahead. We need your help to raise the funds for David's dog. All money is tax deductible and goes to 4 Paws for Ability in David's name. If you can help, please either go to the 4 Paws for Ability website and click on "donate," or mail a check to: 4 Paws for Ability
Since his diagnosis, Aiden has made amazing progress. Aiden has been on a specialized diet since February and has responded remarkably well. He has had many wonderful therapists (behavioral/occupational/ and speech and language) who have helped us to motivate his young, active mind. His independent spirit, inability to communicate appropriately and very high energy can make life very frustrating for Aiden and for us as a family. Despite all this, we believe in Aiden's ability to learn and grow, we love his spirit, and will do anything to help him succeed.
After some research we came across an agency in Xenia, Ohio called 4 Paws For Ability. 4 Paws is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization that helps families with special needs acquire canine service animals. Currently, we are beginning to fundraise $13,000.00 for the 4 Paws organization to help Aiden receive an Autism Assistance Dog. These dogs accompany children with autism and their parents everywhere, acting as a safety feature. Attached to his new friend by a special harness, Aiden would be unable to run into traffic or get lost. The dog would be trained to comfort Aiden and interrupt his autistic behaviors, like running or self stimulating. It would also act as a "social magnet," making it easier for other children to approach Aiden and make friends. Please help us in our fund raising efforts for an Autism Assistance Dog. Any monetary assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated. With your help we can provide opportunities and a level of independence to Aiden that he may not otherwise be able to achieve.All donations, which are tax deductible, go to 4 Paws for Abilityin the name of Aiden Brophy. Thank you and God Bless, A Little Boy's Hope for a 4-Pawed Friend
I have Autism. I'm not really sure what that is, but I get really scared when I am alone or in the middle of the night. When I get really upset or scared, I become dis-orient-ed and can hurt myself. Sometimes for no good reason, I will just go for a walk or a run. It's fun. My mommy doesn't like it too much though. I really like the water, but I can't swim at all. I'm taking classes, but sometimes my teacher sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher and I don't understand her. The lifeguard at the YMCA looks funny when she jumps in after me. I keep her on her toes. I like people too, and no one would ever hurt me. Cars are cool, and fast, and I like to run after them. Mommy doesn't like that either. My mommy says a friend from 4 Paws could really help make me feel safe and keep me safe. My friend could go places with me, and help keep me from being scared at night, and even help mommy find me if I wander away. I just lost a pet dog a few months ago, she use to keep me safe, so I can't wait to get a new friend… Will you help me get a new friend? Thank you for reading about me… bye!
Simple things can become a whirlwind of sensory input that can't be processed or understood. What should be fun turns into an hour long crying spell because something was too loud, not planned, too many people, smells bad: you can fill in the blank. These meltdowns can end up being hour-long episodes of screaming and clapping his ears while curled up in a corner. For a parent, this is heart wrenching. One can only imagine how terrifying it must be for him to lack the ability to calm down. Every day Gabriel is bombarded with a world he cannot understand. For his parents, everyday is filled with worry and the heartache of watching him struggle. However, we have found an organization that could bring some peace and stability to our family. This organization is called 4 Paws for Ability.
These dogs are trained to track the child if he does get away, to stay with the child and keep him from danger, to stop repetitive behavior, and to calm the child during a meltdown when they are overwhelmed. For Gabriel, this could be a step towards a normal day. A day in which he can focus while being attacked by all of the outside stimuli. A day in which he can walk to the car without his parents worrying he will run into traffic. A day when a meltdown can be stopped in a few minutes versus the long struggle it is now. This dog could help free Gabriel to be a little boy. We need help. Would you consider helping a little boy have a chance at a brighter tomorrow? By helping this wonderful organization, you are making a difference in a child's life. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to 4 Paws for Ability in Gabriel's honor. Every donation helps and you truly will be a hero to a very special little boy. Donations can be sent to: 4 Paws for Ability253 Dayton Ave Xenia, Oh 45385 (Please include Gabriel's name on the memo line) To find out more about the organization, please visit 4 Paws for Ability. If you have any questions, would like to donate something for a raffle, have a fundraiser, or help in any other way, contact Briana Nieves at (757) 966-2770 or contact Briana by email. You can also check out Gabriel's page. Zachary King is like most other eight-year-old boys. He is extremely active and loves to ride his bike, run, climb trees, play video games, and play with star wars and transformer toys. The biggest difference By far the most important issue at hand is his lack of safety awareness. He is a runner. He tends to run through parking lots, run away in stores, and he disappears at the zoo or the amusement park. We need your help to make this dream come true. With your tax-deductible donation, we will be one step closer to raising the funds needed to have a dog placed in our home with Zachary.
Born with severe developmental delays, visual, neurologic, and orthopedic conditions-she has braved through numerous tests and procedures to find her diagnosis and eliminate some of the scariest possibilities. Physical, occupational and speech therapy are as regular as a trip to the grocery store. But Erin has obstacles different from most children entering kindergarten. She struggles to keep up in our busy world-- full of stairs, curbs, and unfamiliar surroundings. Just getting through a doorway can be difficult. She tends to wander away and is unaware of environmental dangers such as traffic, bodies of water, or the ill intentions of a stranger. She is non-verbal and is unable to tell someone her name if she should ever get lost. Vision and balance issues affect her mobility, anxiety, and safety. She needs a strong companion at her side.
You can help Erin by making a tax-deductible donation in her honor, to 4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Ave. Xenia, OH 45385; just make sure to write her name in the memo of the check. Every dollar donated in her honor, puts Erin closer to her very own "D!" For additional information, contact Renee' or Paul Saulsbury at # (907) 622-4311 or email The Saulsbury Family. To contact 4 Paws directly call # (937) 374-0385 or visit their website at www.4pawsforability.org.
Kade also has a seizure disorder due to his brain damage. He has been on numerous medications in an attempt to control his seizures, as well as having a Vagus nerve stimulator implanted in his chest. The meds greatly affect Kade’s moods and ability to learn. Unfortunately, their ability to control his seizures has been limited. Communication is by far the most challenging problem facing Kade and his family. He is able to say almost any word you ask of him, however he has limited ability to come up with words independently. The most difficult aspect of Kade’s disability is that he cannot tell us when something is wrong either physically or emotionally and he tends to get extremely overwhelmed when there are a lot of people around. As you can see by his infectious smile, Kade is an extremely happy child. Like most ten-year-old boys Kade loves to act silly and rough house and he is happiest when teasing or aggravating others. Kade also loves to watch movies, listen to music and play with balls. He has one sister, Danielle, however she is 23 years old and does not live in the home, so he has no other children with which to play. We did a lot of research and discovered that there is a wonderful organization that provides service dogs to people with special needs to make their life more productive and fulfilling. 4 Paws for Ability trains dogs specifically to the needs of an individual. We have been evaluated and have been approved for a service dog for Kade. We feel a service dog will benefit Kade’s life tremendously in many ways. It will help him socially by not only giving him security without mom or dad being right there, but also bridging a gap with his peers. We are hopeful that the dog will be able to be trained to detect Kade's seizures prior to them occurring, giving us some peace of mind. Physically the dog will be an encouragement during therapy. After ten years, it has become quite a challenge to keep Kade motivated during his numerous therapy sessions. Last, but certainly not least is the idea that our son will have a "buddy" who is always there to play with him and be his friend. We cannot tell you how happy this makes us. However, it takes a lot of time and effort to make this process work. Of course this means money. We need to raise $13,000.00 to have a dog trained especially for Kade. Any donation we receive to help us accomplish our goal will be greatly appreciated.
This is Thaine's family. Daddy is a soldier in the US Army, Mommy stays at home and Gwyneth, Thaine's sister, is five going on twenty.
But all too frequently, the situation ends in a “meltdown.” This could range from mild defiance to screaming, hitting, throwing objects, or even a full blown, flop on the floor tantrum. As his parents, we can recall innumerable episodes of stares, glares, and “parenting advice” from people who think they know how to handle the situation. Enter the Autism Assistance Dog. In February 2008, we became aware of the Autism Assistance Dog program from 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. This program could very well help save Dale’s life. This type of service dog is specifically trained to help children and families who are dealing with Autism. These canines are attune to the stresses of autistic children, and can intervene during a meltdown, or even help prevent one from happening! More importantly for us, though, is that they are also trained in search and rescue. Since Dale wanders away from home, school and stores during outings, an Autism Assistance dog can help us find him faster. We relocate about every two years. Dale has wandered off more than 30 times, in three different states, over the last 6 years. That is an average of five times a year we have had to search for our lost son. Twice he was found in a stranger’s home, at three and five years of age. We are waiting in great anticipation of getting a service dog placed with Dale. You can help bring some safety to Dale’s life, and peace of mind to ours, by making a tax deductible donation in his honor.
I have a love for life and am a very happy boy, but the world is a little scary for me at times. Because of my Autism I get overwhelmed when I am in new places that are busy with people and sounds. I can get really confused and scared when I can’t find my mom because I can’t filter out all of the other stuff going on around me to hear her voice. I like to do things over and over and I obsess over certain things I like. It’s what my doctor calls repetitive behaviors. I love Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen, I could watch their movies all day every day if my mom would let me. I got to meet Buzz when we went to Disneyland and you should have seen how amazed I was to see him in real life.
I really like water but I don’t know it is dangerous, and I don’t always know when it is safe to run after someone I know (or don’t know), or something I want. I don’t know how to tell my mom where I am going. Unless someone is constantly watching, no one will know where I have gone. My dog would help me to know when it is safe, and show my mom where I am whenever I am out of sight. I love to play outside, and I can get adventurous and end up in a real pickle if no one is looking. I love animals too! Cats, horses, fish, birds, and animals at the zoo! I would especially like to have a dog, but my mom says I have to wait until we can raise enough money to get a dog from 4 Paws. Like many other kids on this page, I am in need of one of their Autism Assistance Dogs. I would really appreciate it if you could help me with that. I will learn so much from helping to take care of my dog, and introducing him to people.I would also really like to have a close friend. I don’t talk like kids my age, and other kids don’t understand why I don’t answer their questions. My dog would be my best friend and maybe help me make some new friends. Thank you so very much! Dallon (and my family)
Annabelle Whitaker is an energetic, spunky, feisty, and loving 10 year old girl - the flip side to these behaviors are the intense meltdowns that she has when she is upset, the wandering off in public and the "no fear" of strangers. Annabelle is developmentally delayed, speech delayed, she does not sleep anymore that 4 hours each night, and she will hurt herself during a meltdown. Pulling off her nails and running away from us in public are just a few of her behaviors that we want to reduce or even try to prevent.
Annabelle enjoys watching her sister Megan play softball and cheering for her at the WRALL field, and she also loves playing with her youngest sister Aubrey who is 11 months old and loves teaching her new songs and games. Anything that is Disney related, Annabelle loves! Swinging, playing outside with our dogs, and lying in the sunshine give Annabelle (and us) a little bit of peace. Please help us make Annabelle's dream come true by donating to 4Paws for Ability. Annabelle has her own website which is www.4pawsforannabelle.com. Please sign her guestbook, as she enjoys us reading her messages to her. I want to answer Annabelle's question- "is it puppy pick up day?" with a "YES".My name is Andrew Smith, and I'm almost your typical nine-year-old-boy. My life revolves around football and baseball, and I tend to get stuck on one thing for months at a time. I love the Bengals and the Reds: I am, after all, from Cincinnati! I play on a football team and a baseball team, but it's hard for me when I miss the ball or the tackle, I just can't seem to deal with it. I've been mean to the coaches even, but they usually cut me a break. I get upset when my school work doesn't show 100% perfect and even more upset when my mom asks me to stop playing and do something, even come and eat!
Why am I like this? My mom says I have an emotional handicap. I don't really know what Bipolar means, or ADHD, ODD, or Separation Anxiety Disorder are, but mom says that's what makes me unique. I struggle in school so much I'm in my 3rd school, a therapy school, because I can't hold it together in regular school. My moods go on a roller coaster ride, up and down so fast, and I can't control them. I promise I don't mean to scream and yell and sometimes hit, kick, and throw things. I just can't help it. My mom usually tries to get me calm before I get to that point, but at times it just makes me madder. I'd love to sleep in my own bed and be able to shower alone in the bathroom, but I just can't do it. I don't feel comfortable alone, out of sight of anyone. My mom found this place called "4 Paws for Ability" that has service dogs for kids like me. If I had a service dog, I would have a friend that could sleep in my room (or bed) with me at night, and sit in the bathroom with me while I shower, and help keep me calm in school and in places where there's lots of people and I get so anxious and upset we just have to leave! A "Multi-Purpose Service Dog" that would love me when I'm happy and sad and be there for me all the time would be so great. Maybe I could even go back to public school sooner! Won't you please help my mommy make my dream come true and make a donation to 4 Paws in Honor of me, Andrew Smith? Thanks for reading! This is Dakota Foster. He is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. He loves to color, draw, play with Legos, Power Rangers, Transformers, and to play with his sister, Cheyenne.
Sometimes, his dealing with things can consist of repetitive behaviors such as spinning or repetitive speech. Other times he just cannot handle them at all and has what is known as a “meltdown.” Another aspect of Dakota’s life that is very different is his inability to make friends easily. Due to his Autism, he has problems with the social aspects of life. It is very difficult for him to make and keep friends. Also, children like Dakota are prone to wandering off, despite their parents’ best efforts to keep them from doing so. Dakota is no different.
Tethering is used to keep the child from wandering off when you are in a public place. This provides not only safety for the child, but independence as well! The child is tethered to the dog and cannot wander more than 3 feet away. Also, the dog can track the child, should they wander away. 4 Paws is the only organization that trains its Autism dogs for search and rescue! Dakota has been approved to receive an Autism Assistance Dog through 4 Paws. But we have a fundraising requirement that must be met before a dog can be placed with him. For every dollar we raise for 4 Paws, Dakota receives a point. He needs a total of 14,000 points to receive his dog. Please find it in your heart to help our son find peace, friendship and independence by donating to 4 Paws in Dakota’s honor! Thank you so much and God bless! Trapper Leeth Dogs play a key role in Alaska's history, and now a Skagway child needs an autism/search and rescue assistance dog to keep him safe from everyday dangers. My three-year-old son, Trapper Leeth, needs a miracle, says his mother, Jami Leeth. He had developed a small vocabulary, but at about 18 months he stopped all talk, eye contact decreased, and our whole world changed. In April 2007 Trapper was diagnosed with PDD, an Autism Spectrum Disorder that makes his life very frustrating.
And then there's fear, something that Trapper experiences in one way, while his parents and older sister experience in other ways. Trapper doesn't understand the dangers of water, fire, and vehicles--anything that's dangerous for little children. He loves to climb fences, crawl under beds and vehicles, and hide. Strangers are also an issue. Trapper has no understanding that someone could hurt him. Because he doesn't respond when called, you can imagine some of the situations we've found ourselves in, even though we do our best to watch him every minute. A service dog trained to work with autism and also trained in Search & Rescue would be a lifesaving intervention, not only Trapper's life, but for our entire family. We struggle daily with our active, curious, super-fast child. Our biggest concern: safety. My husband and I hope that a service dog will make his world a little safer. Skagway, the town in Alaska where we live, has a population of about 800 people in the winter and we're making sure everyone here understands Trapper's autism. If ever he escapes or if the worst become reality and we cannot find him, everyone will have been alerted. Although living here is wonderful, the lack of services for Trapper is a major issue. His father and I feel a service dog may be the key to helping him navigate our world a little better. Skagway loves its tourists (over 10,000 a day during tourist season), and Trapper is intrigued with the huge tour buses that carry visitors around, the many helicopters, and airplanes taking off and landing across the street, the train running, and the gigantic cruise ships. However, each mode of transportation has associated noise and Trapper tends to become upset with too much noise. It's a challenge to keep him calm, and hang onto him so he doesn't lose his way in the crowds that enjoy summer in Skagway. Our town is surrounded by rugged mountain forests, waterfalls, and a raging (in the summer) Skagway River. In winter, it is a "not solid" ice floe. Our entire town is a high-risk area it's a huge safety issue because of Trapper's speedy getaways. Trapper loves water. Not only does he have no fear of water but he's actually attracted to it. He wants to touch it and taste it, and when we took him on a hike to a waterfall, he found a small pool and walked right in.
While Trapper has sweet dreams about escaping, my dreams about his escaping are more like nightmares. It's difficult to sleep well wondering when he'll decide to figure out how to defeat the locks we have and go outside at night. In Alaska bears, wolves, and wildlife outnumber people, another reason why if Trapper were to become lost, the time it takes to find him is so important. Trapper's service dog will be trained in Search & Rescue; so (worst case scenario) finding our son would take less time than a massive manhunt. Another aspect of seeking out a service dog is tied in with his social response to others. He needs a friend he can count on. And a friend we can count on. At age three, Trapper is not interested in other children. We would love to someday see our child riding his bike with other children or eventually going to play at the nearby park with his sister. We pray a dog to open doors for others to speak to our adorable son or to notice him for something other than having a public meltdown. In my application to 4 Paws, after giving a brief history, I explained about Trapper's need for safety, independence, a friend who never leaves his side and who is a comfort during sensory overload--a dog trained to respond to Trapper's need for pressure, as with touches or hugs. On October 27th, 2007, we were busy making breakfast when the phone range. It was Karen Shirk of 4 Paws on the phone. Trapper had been approved for a service dog. I was so excited. I asked about 700 questions and couldn't wait to learn more about what to do next. I was nervous about the fundraising, and the fact that we were leaving on vacation the following morning wasn't helping with my anxiety. Originally our plan was to return to Alaska on Nov. 30th, Trapper's 3rd birthday, but after only four days visiting in California, my family, including Trapper, was involved in a serious vehicle rollover accident. Fortunately, the children were okay. I was the most critical. My head was split open, and I had three fractures in my neck and three compression fractures in my back. I was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Southern Oregon. After five days, I was released to my mother's care and told not to travel for three months. This put a huge damper on fundraising for our son. The good news is that after two months, I was permitted to come back home to Skagway in neck and body braces. Life has been even harder on Trapper since the accident. I am thankful to be alive and walking, and am recovering well, but, because of my pain, it is almost impossible for me to pick up my son and hold him, or even squeeze him tight like he likes. His daddy and sister, Katie, help Trapper and me, but he clings to me mostly, and doesn't seem to understand. But this is only temporary. In the meantime, almost all our efforts are going toward fundraising for our miracle dog.
My new friend can also help me at home by sleeping with me. I hate to sleep by myself, I get scared (but don't tell anyone, ok?). My friends at 4-paws have said they will try to find a special Autism Assistance Dog for me to take to school with me and be my new friend. If you would like to help me get my new friend that would be GREAT!! You can send money to 4-paws for ability and put my name on it and it will count towards me getting my new friend. Thanks so much for reading about me. Love, Josh.
Please help give Alexander the opportunity for a better life, a safer life, a sense of security that would also help Alexander to become better at socializing in the general public. These kids look just fine but are judged as odd or a discipline issue when really, they just see our world through different eyes and are deserving of patience and acceptance. An Autism Service dog would help Alexander tremendously with this. Your help no matter how great or small will go a long way, please help make our wish come true, for Alexander to be given this blessing of an opportunity. We are so grateful!
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The disorders listed here
Christian Nichols. Some say there are Angels among us...and one needs your help. Christian is a happy healthy eight-year-old boy who has Angelman Syndrome. Christian brings joy to all those who meet him.
In order for Christian to have a service dog placed with him, we will need to raise $13,000 for his dog to be trained to his individual needs. After his dog has been trained, we will have to travel to Xenia and stay for 2 weeks to be trained to handle and maintain his dogs special skills. Christians dog will be trained to track him and to "tether" to him in public places to keep him safe and calm. His dog will also be able to respond to Christians emotional needs.
Cody Ross is a sixteen-year-old Sophomore at Leander High School. Cody is very active in Special Olympics and AFJROTC. 
David Nahodil I'd like you to meet a happy, active four-year-old, my son, David Nahodil. He has a certain vibe that seems to make everyone who meets him fall in love. He has such animated body language because he struggles to find words. Born July 4, 2004, he started out life with serious digestive issues that often escalate. David was recently diagnosed with PDD 
We spent six weeks at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the outpatient feeding program while living at the Ronald McDonald House, but we had little success. We are happy with the tools we were given, though. 
Aiden Brophy After much consideration we have decided to pursue an Autism Service Dog for our son Aiden. As you may know, Aiden has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Having a service dog would provide tremendous and possibly life saving help for Aiden.
Unfortunately, Aiden is what is termed an "eloper" and will take every opportunity to run outside in random directions. The service dog would be trained in Search and Rescue for when this situation occurs.
Hi, my name is John Bowen, but my family calls me JC. I am three years old. Mommy says I am different because I live in my own little world and sometimes I can't break out of it. I don't answer my mommy and can't make friends sometimes because in my world it's just me. 
Gabriel Nieves is an amazing four-year-old boy with a contagious smile! He loves Buzz Lightyear and Lightening McQueen. He enjoys running around outside and cuddling with Mommy. He is very friendly and extremely determined. However, Gabriel also runs into traffic without understanding the danger. He disappears if he's not being watched. He covers his ears and hides multiple times a day because he can't understand the world around him. See, Gabriel has autism, a neurological disorder that affects almost every part of his daily living.
4 Paws for Ability is a 501c3 organization that specializes in placing service dogs with children with disabilities. The wait list for these dogs can be up to 5 years with other organizations. In an effort to place more dogs and get the dogs with the children faster, 4 Paws for Ability has a different approach. The cost of training an autism assistance dog with tracking ability is $13,000. Parents volunteer to fundraise for 4 Paws for Ability. Once the fundraising is complete, a dog is trained specifically for the child!
between Zachary and other children his age is that Zachary has Asperger Syndrome and ADHD. Asperger Syndrome is a form of high functioning Autism.
He gets very upset sometimes and has a difficult time calming down. Zachary does not do well with transitions, changes in his routine, doctor visits, therapy appointments or trips to the hospital. 
Our goal is to raise enough volunteer credits to have an Autism Assistance Service Dog placed with Zachary that is specially trained in search and rescue.
Erin Saulsbury was born on July 23, 2003. Throughout the first year of her life, concern began to grow--developmental milestones were not being reached. As the months went by, physicians began to suggest looking deeper into her development. She is turning five now and there are still no answers. Even though there is no official label for Erin's condition--its effects shadow her daily life.
Like most five-year-old girls, Erin loves taking walks, camping, and dancing with her big sister, Alexa-who she calls "Ah." She refers to herself as "I-Ya." Dogs are her favorite animal--she calls them "D!" 
Erin's multipurpose assistance dog will be trained specifically to her needs. Tasks will include behavior disruption, tether, tracking, balance, and pre-guide dog work.
Kade Farlow was born on December 16, 1997 to Robert and Tammy Farlow. Kade’s birth was extremely difficult and the oxygen supply to his brain was severed which resulted in him developing Cerebral Palsy. (Cerebral Palsy is damage to the part of the brain that controls muscles). There are varying degrees of Cerebral palsy and Kade’s is called spastic quadriplegia. He is completely dependent on his family for every aspect of his life; from bathing and dressing him to feeding and toilet needs. Kade requires a wheelchair for all mobility outside the home. However, Tammy and Robert consider every day they get to be Kade’s parents an unbelievable blessing. 
This is about our son Thaine Aaron Wood. Thaine is a handsome boy of nine who has Autism. Although he is nonverbal and has his "quirky" moments, he is one of the most loving kids you will ever meet.
Thaine has never met a stranger, which is horrible since he tries to grab everyone's hand, and you never know who is bad. He has a tendency to run away; thinks it is a game to bolt out the door and he does not stop when called. 
Dale Wooley is just like any other eight-year-old boy. He loves to ride his bike, play video games and not a day goes by without him talking about his favorite thing - transformers. However, Dale’s life is different from yours and mine in so many ways; he has Autism. Day in and day out he struggles in our busy, stimulus-filled world, just trying to keep his behavior under control and behave “appropriately.”
Hi, my name is Dallon Arvidson and I am four years old. I live with my mom, dad and 2-year-old brother. Because my parents were concerned about my development, they had me tested and I was diagnosed with Autism and Global Developmental Delay in August 2007. 
I have a really hard time transitioning away from something I have been doing to do anything else, like to eat dinner. Once I get upset, I don’t really hear or understand anything that is said to me, so I have a hard time calming down even if I am given exactly what I wanted.
"Is it puppy pick-up day?" This is Annabelle's first question each and every morning since she has found out that she has been approved for a multipurpose service dog from 4 Paws for Ability! Annabelle has Smith-Magenis syndrome, which is the deletion of the 17th chromosome, and she was diagnosed with SMS at the age of 5 years. 
She had surgery to repair a sub-mucus cleft palate when she was 6 years old and is currently in speech therapy, but she is still very hard to understand.
We want Annabelle to be HAPPY, and we want our family, friends, and community members to see Annabelle being HAPPY! A guardian angel that comes in the form of a service dog from 4 Paws for Ability will make our Annabelle HAPPY and SAFE. 
I sleep in my mom's bedroom most of the time because I hate to be alone, even out of her sight. I don't think I've ever played alone in my room unless I'm on the play station playing Madden 08. After all, football is my life right now!
To look at him with his big blue eyes and contagious smile, you would think he is just like any other five- year-old-little boy. But his world is so much different from ours. He is living with Autism, ADHD, and SID (Sensory Integration Disorder). He processes the sights and sounds of the world around him differently. 
He has climbed out of a window early in the morning while his parents still slept, only to be found a short time later by his mother as she drove around the area in the family van. He also wanders away frequently in the store, usually while at the checkout, forcing his parents to leave their items to go and get him. 
Trapper has no speech, shows little eye contact, and doesn't respond to his name. He can't comprehend simple commands like "Sit down" or "Come here." Those who understand autism know that the word "meltdown" is not just a word in the dictionary. When our little guy becomes over-stimulated or frustrated (and this happens daily), he screams, arches his back, and is inconsolable for long periods of time.
A service dog would be a constant companion for Trapper, helping to calm him if he should become over-stimulated, and providing him with a sense of independence from his concerned family. Trapper can figure out anything after seeing it done only once. For example, locks and doors. His curiosity adds to his need to explore. If our son were tethered to his dog, who would become his best friend, so many dangers would be averted. 
Braeden Allen is a beautiful, happy, and loving four year old who has autism. 
