4 Paws Family Support Network

Introduction

We have an incredible online support network for our 4 paws families. We allow all of our clients access to each other so that our graduates can communicate with each other and help our new families through the process!

We feel this speaks to our quality of service!

As of July 7, 2008, 311 teams have graduated from 4 paws!

August 9, 2008. From Sue Byczko. Today I was so proud of my dynamic duo! We needed to take a trip to the grocery store and pick up a few things. The grocery store trip is always dreaded. In the past it's always been a place of tears, strange looks from people, and ultimatly meltdowns. Today, however, was amazing!

Adam willingly got into the cart and Kita took her place on the side of the cart where she could keep an eye on Adam. Everywhere I looked people were smiling at seeing the three of us. One man stopped to pet Kita and then thanked us. As always, I thanked him. Its important for people to accept our service animals and I always appreciate people who do!

We were able to get the 15 or so items that we needed and Adam waited in line in the cart nicely. He loves placing the items on the belt. He did so, and watched them go down. BIG treat for Adam!

The entire time Kita stayed by our side. When it was time to get out of the cart, Adam became very upset. Once I was able to get him out and have him hold the leash, he settled right down! Once we started walking, the change was like night and day! We walked out the car, Adam got into his car seat, Kita got in the back, and we went home.

Was it a perfect trip? It was as perfect as I ever imagined that it would be prior to getting Kita! I used to dream of being able to go to the grocery store with Adam and have it be a pleasant event for him. It is a dream come true in my eyes! Something so simple but so huge to us. Thank you 4 Paws!

July 7, 2008. I hope things are going well over at 4 Paws. Just wanted to share these pictures for the site. We had a great 4th of July with Bo! Hunter has really started to bond with him. The two participated in a parade in our home town. Bo has really grown, and we are convinced that he has great dane in him for sure...The Silvester Family

June 24, 2008, from Anchorage, Alaska. "Halo update: she did a real track the other day. Leo disappeared at vacation bible school last week; he went around a corner and into a parking lot.

When I first started looking around I said, "Halo, where's your boy?" (kind of to myself) and she went into an immediate track and she was on him. Then she looked at me and said, "All right, the treats better be good for this one!" She is a guardian angel dog.

June 5, 2008. Kita, banned from Chicopee Public Schools, continues to come to Adam Byczko's rescue, says Adam's dad.

Adam is diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome. With limited speech, autistic tendencies, difficult mobility and seizures, Kita is more than just a helping paw, says his mother. "She is a multi-service dog, trained in behavior disruption. She can actually get him to stop biting himself, and alert me or anybody to his seizures."

"This afternoon Kita showed just important she is in the safety and well being of Adam. On the way to Speech Therapy at Holyoke hospital, Adam was walking on Kita's left side holding the short leash with his right hand and pulling his backpack with his left hand. I was on Kita's right side with the long leash.

"Adam suddenly lost his balance and began to fall as his left foot slipped off the curb of the sidewalk. Kita (without any commands) quickly moved across his path so that Adam's upper body fell across her shoulders. She stood there without moving until Adam and I up righted his backpack and he had his feet solidly under him. Kita continues to bond and watch out for Adam as the days progress. She such a blessing to Adam, Sue, and me."

To learn more about Adam Byczko's service dog, and Adam, click here.

From Alex Harpole's dad: Karen here are a few pictures from our trip to Washington D.C. We had a Wonderful time and the senators were very impressed with Lady! There is a picture of us in the Capitol with our state representative Ed Whitfield. He was just thrilled over Alex receiving Lady and just couldn't believe what all she does for him. While we were in D.C. at my brother's house Alex fell down his steps and hit his head on the top step and it knocked him out. Lady leaped up five steps and stopped him from falling down anymore. Once we got to him and picked him up she began to cry very loudly and licked him all over his head.

I was completely a basket case to see how motherly and loving Lady was to him. She has truly been a blessing in our lives and we Thank You guys so much everyday for her. She is still alerting to us very well and the school is really enjoying her being there in the mornings. I have a few more photos and newspaper articles I will be sending to you in the mail this week. She was on the front page of our Kentucky Epilepsy newsletter and has been named the school mascot (she was featured in his classroom photo) and the mascot for his special needs baseball team:0)

From Jake Griffin's mother:We are pleased to say on Thursday May 22nd Governor Martin O'Malley signed House Bill 767 aka "Jake's Law" into Maryland state law. To view the details of the law, click here.

The law extends the rights and privileges currently afforded to blind and deaf individuals to ALL individuals with disabilities as well as to the parents of a minor child with a disability. Attached please find a few pictures from the hearings and the bill signing ceremony. Thanks for everyone's support...Sincerely, Jake, Genevieve, Paul, Suzanne, and Sienna Griffin. May 26, 2008.

Jake and Sienna in Maryland Senate Chamber at signing of House Bill 767	Jake and Sienna in front of Maryland State House
Maryland Governor visiting with Jake at signing of House Bill 767	Everyone celebrating Jake's Law
District 19 House delegates

About sleeping (or not sleeping!)

I had to share what is happening to us. To bring the rest of you up to speed, we have an eight-year-old high functioning son. We got our dog last March. Our son had NEVER NEVER slept a night in his bed. His "security item" or "transitional object" has always been Dad or me. So success number one: for the last two months he has been sleeping in his own bed with Popeye/Shadow. YEAH!!! no crying, no muss, no fuss. May 23, 2008.

Seizure service dog lives up to his name: Promise

Message from the Trey Taylor family regarding seizure service dog, Promise: "Had to tell you what happened this morning. Trey had a Grand Mal seizure at 7:30 am today...Promise went nuts, barking and barking till Dell woke up! This is what we dreamed would happen when we started this whole experience a year ago. My heart belongs to PROMISE for this wonderful day. Karen and Jeremy: The Taylors can't thank you enough for giving us PROMISE! WE LOVE YOU!" ...Tammy Taylor ~ Deputy, Indiana. Mom to 11-year-old twin boys Jake and Trey, both born with multiple birth defects syndrome, epilepsy, bone disorder, asthma, Respiratory Distress Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, developmental delays, fine motor delays. Trey has Intractable Epilepsy and had the VNS Implant. Married to Dell 14 years! ONE awesome guy! May 13, 2008.

Mom Saving Tears for Meeting New Seizure Assistance Dog

When I started off this journey about a year ago, Adam was having seizures only when going into sleep or coming out of sleep. I was alone with my son, scared, and tired. I remember one morning waking up and laying in bed. I have a monitor in my room and I was watching him on it and he looked okay...asleep.

I heard a noise I didn't recognize. Sounded like at the end of a coffee maker when the water is all pumped out and it kinda gurgles. I kept thinking "Crap...what is that noise?" I lay in bed for about five more minutes and finally my curiosity got the better of me. I got up and walked out of my bedroom and turned towards the kitchen and realized the sound was not from the kitchen but Adam's bedroom.

I flew in there and found him in a full seizure...gasping for air. We ended up in the ambulance and it took two doses of Diastat at home and more medication in the ambulance and at the hospital because he would not stop seizing. I remember them asking if he had ever been intubated in the ambulance. He hadn't, so they didn't, but they were ready to. I will never get over the guilt of not getting up sooner. I am not sure about everyone else, but if I catch Adam's seizures right away and give him the Diastat, I can stop them, but if it goes on too long we are off to the emergency room.

During his follow-up appointment with his neuro I asked what the risks of death are with seizures, and what he told me totally freaked me out. I try not to think about it to this day. I guess I never really thought in my mind that my son could die from this. It was shortly after that when I was on the epilepsy foundation website and I saw something about Seizure Assistance dogs. That started my journey...

It took about a month of calling every organization all over the U.S. before I found 4 Paws. I had found only one other person who was willing to train a dog for Adam, but it was a private trainer and most people do not want to donate to something like that. Everyone else told me he was too young. One told me I had to wait until he was 8 then I could start the process. I remember thinking to myself...I can't do this alone until he is 8! (He was only 6 then.)

My mother kept telling me that if it was God's will that it will happen. Every door has been opened for us when it comes to this dog. Everything from donations to a free flight out to Ohio and back.

Adam's seizures have slowed since he is on a new medication combination, but every time he does have a seizure he regresses in his balance and confidence. This dog is going to be the world to us. I read about all the other kids' lives and how they have already changed...like the last post about the boy who always had to be put out for labwork and how he sat there with his dog! I am saving all my tears for the magical moment when we all meet and greet our dog!

Only a Month to Go!

We have been talking about getting Trey a service dog for over 10 years now...and I just can't believe we are down to 33 days. I find myself crying a lot. This experience is soo emotional.

I bought a dog bed last night, and cried while standing in line at Walmart. I think about getting to the hotel, meeting you all, seeing the dog for the first time.....and I just cry cry cry.

We are heading to the Neurologist on Friday, and there is a chance that they will want to put Trey in the hospital and do a full medication change, but I am hoping that they will wait till after we get back from training. Trey is on 10 medications and to change them all around now I just don't think its a good idea. Trey hasn't ever gone more than a week without some sort of seizure activity. His isn't a chemical imbalance: he suffered brain damage at birth. His seizures come from the left side, right side, and at times both sides at once. He is pretty much having seizures 24/7.

I have come to realize that this may just be Trey's life...one big reason this dog is soo important to us. I had no clue where this email was going. I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening to me.

Parents Rank the Network

Jami Leeth.   Karen, this seems like an amazing group of parents & kids though and often I am brought to tears by some of the shared stories. I love hearing about the children finding out which dog is meant for them. I am so blessed just by being able to hear of all these other children and a lot of families dealing with much of what we go through on a daily basis.

Even if I weren't in need of a service dog for our son, I would support & donate to 4 Paws. You are doing such a wonderful thing and are such a blessing to so many of us. I have to tell you that you are my hero. I have read your story & am so amazed at your strength and the strength & hope you are offering families like mine. God is using you to touch & bless so many lives. We love that we can help raise this money to help with the cost of a service dog for our son, and hopefully raise a whole lot more to help other families & the 4 Paws facility operation in the future. What a rewarding experience. God Bless. - Jami (Rob, Katie & Trapper, too.:)

Carol: It's the one place where nothing your child does or says will seem the least bit odd.

Nancy, Mom to Bekah and the amazing Grizwald the Wonder Dog: This group is a great place to come sunshine or rain but especially good when you having one of those "dog day" afternoons and you need some encouragement!!

Sally Lubrant: It has been just a blessing to hear that others parents, mothers, families do know what I live with every day, what Alex lives with every day. It is a stabilizing reality that just allows you to feel somewhat normal. Normal, what's that? I have also learned that I am just blessed to be a part of a program that makes me reach, that allows us to dream about this new family member we are working for.

Fundraising, I couldn't have done it without the posts here helping me to know that every dollar is a success and it may take a while longer even. That God hasn't finished with the dog for Alex, that dog isn't ready yet.

I have laughed and I have cried reading these posts and it has been just healing for me. I am so grateful to be a part of this blog. I am not a full time participant but I have so enjoyed hearing everyone's stories, experiences. The funny things we do while striving for these dreams that 4Paws is making possible. One thing that sticks in my mind was the parent (Mom) waiting for that e-mail, which Mom was it that said, " I was throwing the kids bodily out of the way, making my way to check my e-mail to see if I received "The E-mail" yet."

The presence of faith when you need to be encouraged and restoration of that, your not alone, you haven't failed, you can do this, have care and trust in God and trust in us, you will be seen through this struggle whether it be about fundraising, aging parents, IEP's, hair color, dog food, books or movies, recipes, fundraising tips. This blog covers it all.

Thank you 4Paws, thank you to the families that participate and have gone before us that share their wisdom and encouragement. I just love this journey. We are looking forward to our second raffle/bike ride/poker party this Saturday. Everyone please keep us in your prayers.

Colby Burrow: This group helps you know that other people have raised the money and you can too. It seems like an overwhelming task, but with everyone writing in and answering questions, it makes it manageable. The encouragement is vital.

Peggi: When we first started on this group, we were very afraid we would never be able to raise the money needed. The people in this group shared their success and their failures. The 'files' section was great to copy and paste to make Maggie's flyers and posters. When someone has a good Idea, they are not afraid to share it with others.

Each member lives a different life, but we all share a common bond, our children or our disabilities. We support each other in every aspect of our lives. We have laughed, cried, and shared relationships that we never knew we could. We support each other, encourage each other, call each other to task, and are friends.

No question is ever stupid. We all want each of us to succeed. Having this on-line group makes it so much easier to achieve our goals.

Linda Dallatore, mom to Nathan 13, Shawn 10, and Bradley 7 (March 08 class): This 4 Paws group is my family that understands what my day to day life is like living with a child with autism. My real family and friends don't always understand what I'm going through, they try but they just don't always get it. Like why am I laughing at my son when I should be punishing him. Or how in the world can you listen to him scream like that all day. And my favorite is why are you so happy that he came when you called his name.

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, friendship, faith, and zest for life.

I look forward to talking with this group every day. When I am having a bad day, there is always some one to let me know that they have been there done that. When I am having a great day and want to share a break through that my son has had, there is always some one here to stand up and cheer with me.

I have learned a great number of things from this 4 Paws for Ability group. And I will forever be grateful, I thank all of you for your love and your support for me and my family.

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