Testimonials About 4 Paws

Promise lives up to his name

Note 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!" May 13, 2008

Albert goes to school

Well, Albert was a hit at school. He did a great job and the kids were amazing. Miss Kim the teacher had prepared them with stories about Albert coming and also had them watch the video I made. They have been talking about Albert since January. May 14, 2008.

Everyone petted Albert at least once. James is a little afraid of Albert. However, Miss Kim said after John & Albert left, James was crying non-stop, "I want Albert..please Miss Kim I am sad, I want Albert" (she was afraid she would have to call John to come back). She explained that Albert would be back tomorrow. Everything went picture perfect.

Thank you all so much for your support...we have been blessed! Peggie, Mom of Maggie,6,autism & Albert (service dog)

How having a service dog changes lives

2008. Do you have a child who might benefit from owning a service dog, yet you are skeptical? Perhaps I can shed some light on this critical issue. My daughter, Bekah just turned eight, and we received her dog from 4 Paws for Ability just before she turned six.

While Bekah doesn't have autism, she is pretty much mute, but with good receptive language. She also has terrible flashbacks and dissociates and is in a constant state of fear and/or panic. Some of her behaviors are similar to those on the autism spectrum. She suffers especially in three areas:

1. Complex PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder).
2. RAD (reactive attachment disorder).
3. SPD (sensory processing disorder) from some severe pre-adoptive abuse and neglect.

Her dog, Grizwald, is called a multipurpose service dog. His brother Oswald is in service as an Autism Assistance Dog.

Grizwald (we call him the wonder dog) is trained to do interrupt behaviors and to tether to her. Before we received him, we couldn't go anyplace for fear of flashbacks. Our Bekah was in a constant state of high anxiety and panic. Now, where she might earlier have had to be carried, she will tether to Grizwald and walk even in a very public place like a mall.

Due to her RAD, it's been a slow attachment process, but I know she is attached to him even if she outwardly doesn't always show us. For example, our upstairs bathroom has been a source of real terror for her. A couple of months ago, on her own, she took Grizwald into this tiny bathroom and used it without me or any other support. This may not sound like a lot to someone who doesn't know Bekah, but let me tell you, this was a major breakthrough.

Grizwald hasn't just helped my younger daughter either-he has been a source of healing for the entire family. I've always loved animals, but to think this furry four-legged critter could so turn our household from upside down to right-side up in such a short period of time is nothing short of miraculous in our book.

How I wish you could see my youngest playing with her dog. When Grizwald is in harness, he is all business (well mostly all business), but when he's not working he is all fun-loving dog! The 4 Paws for Ability dogs are trained to be just about perfect in public.

Whenever we go out to eat, Grizwald is under the table right at my daughter's feet keeping her anchored emotionally and knowing he is always there as a constant for her. They are so well behaved that sometimes the biggest impediment to getting our shopping done is that many people want to stop and talk to you about your dog and how beautiful and well-behaved he is.

One last word about 4 Paws and about Karen Shirk and her staff. When Karen founded this nonprofit, there was literally no one placing dogs with children. Karen has such insight and is such a forward-thinking person. I believe they were also the first to train and place Autism Assistance Dogs.

As you well know, these kids have very complicated issues. Not just any organization could do what 4 Paws does. The reason I think they are so successful is due to not only their passion to help these kids but also their dedication to the dogs and their training, and to humanity in general.

Update March 14, 2009

Grizwald makes the daylight longer and the nights more tolerable and seem shorter. No one can look at Griz without laughing -- and that includes Jeremy! He is 55 pounds of love on 4 paws. He can be very proper and working business like when he trots along side Bekah in public but when he is released to interact with other children and rolls on to his back pawing the air asking to have his tummy rubbed -- he is also hysterical!

At night if he isn't fed right on time, he puts both feet in his bowl and flips it until someone brings food. When he is finished -- he flips the bowl over and over until we refill it -- not because he wants to eat it -- but because he wants "that" food in his bowl!!

He is a constant companion to Bekah who while she would like us to think she can do without him -- I really see how he gives her stability in public as she removes her shoes (under a restaurant table and puts her feet on him to help ground herself.)

During the middle of the night when Bekah sobs in her sleep, he will lay next to her putting deep pressure on her. She has terrible flashbacks but they have changed now to where you can actually reach her. One of the things that really helps is when Griz starts out licking my hands and gravitates to her arms and back -- she starts to come out of the flashback and laughs - when he stops licking me, she asks that he do it again and again.

No matter how bad things seem to get - Grizwald is a constant, never a robot, always there, making us laugh and making life so much better. He has helped heal the whole family. Grizwald is a movie star (comedy, drama and adventure all rolled into one, a best friend, a healing force, a confidant when no one else will listen, a huggable ball of fur and life is so much better with him. He has met with a former U.S President (Jimmy Carter), the Governor of VA, he's done Disney and a Dude Ranch in CO but to us he's just GRIZman the wonder dog and definitely a force with which to reckon!

If we had a million dollars to give back to 4 Paws tomorrow, we could never buy the good times, freedom and independence - the love he has shown to all members of our family (well maybe all but the cat:) that 4 Paws through Griz have given to us...

4 Paws is the best - and yes they ROCK for sure!

Logan and Akira

I know that this is not the best picture, but it touched me nonetheless.

Logan was in for a simple procedure (new ear tubes) and fighting the medicine tooth and nail until we got Akira up on the bed with him.

He just hugged her and melted into her....it was the best.

We also learned the hard way 2 weeks ago that Logan really does need to be with her in these situations.

We had to take Logan to the ER for an X-ray and did not bring Akira. I won't go into details, but that was a HUGE mistake.

As I always tell people, having Akira does not make life easier, but it certainly makes it better..Melissa Davenport.

Sue Formet: Helios Papillons

December 2007. I have been working with Karen for about 3 years and now I consider her a good friend. I found Karen and 4Paws when I had a Papillon born with bad front leg. This was one sweet Pap and I was planning on keeping her (of course) when it occurred to me that just the right organization might be able to help disabled children by showing them how wonderfully she (Gracie) got along on only three legs.

I checked with lots of local organizations that I found by word-of-mouth and over the Internet and no one was interested in my idea. (I also ran across several that I wouldn't have sent her to even if they had wanted to take her!)

When I went national in my search I rather quickly ran across the 4Paws site. I read Ben's story and looked at what they were trying to do and it seemed worth making a contact. The rest is history.

Karen liked my idea and I sent Gracie to her. In succeeding years, I have sent her a second Papillon, Piper, actually Gracie's sister) who I loved so much that there is absolutely no other person in the world I would have trusted her to except Karen.

Piper didn't turn out as a show girl and I debated for months about whether or not I should let her go.

Karen wanted her very much and so I finally sent her. Piper and Gracie now have their own web site and you can see their pictures here and there on the 4Paws site.

I most recently sent Karen two Phalene (drop eared Papillons) boys (Theo and Vinnie) who were as sweet as can be but were in no way going to make it in a show ring and were not what pet owners were looking for when they asked for Papillons. They were both trained by 4Paws and Theo went on to become the well loved and helpful "seizure trained" dog for a little boy named Bryant.

His brother, Vinnie, didn't work out in the training and Karen called me tell me that they wanted to neuter and place him in a great pet home. I gave her the go ahead and Vinnie has now gone to live with the same family that Theo was placed with.

I have only been breeding and showing Papillons for about 7 years and I have finished several of my dogs. I have to tell you that no Championship has come even close to the wonderful feeling I've gotten from seeing pictures of my pups in the arms of autistic and other disabled children and reading the stories about Theo and Bryant.

Karen and her staff love their dogs and treat them just as we would in our own homes (maybe better)...Sue Fourmet Helios Papillons

DJ and Nitro

I've said this before so I'm sorry for repeating myself, but Nitro has brought peace into our house. When we first brought Nitro home this summer, the number of meltdowns DJ had seemed to really decrease. He wasn't screaming or yelling as much, especially when he felt someone had "done him wrong". Instead he would talk to Nitro. If DJ was starting to get out of hand, I would send him to his room with Nitro to cool down.

I remember one day in particular where he was really mad at me for not letting him do or have something and so was yelling at me and being uncooperative. Well, I sent him to his room(muttering all the way! LOL) with Nitro and made him stay there until he calmed down.

I went up to check on him and the scene I came upon was a still angry boy muttering about his mom, a dog laying in front of him on his bed, and that same angry boy gently running his hand down the length of Nitro. With as angry as he sounded, I would have expected him to be pounding poor Nitro, but he wasn't. In fact, as angry as DJ still tends to get, I have never seen him take out any aggression on Nitro.

Something else I have noticed about my son since bringing Nitro home is that he is happier and more outgoing. He has more good days than bad. He also seems to be initiating more conversations with people. Unfortunately, it's not always appropriate talk, but we're working on it. I love Nitro and what he has brought to our family. He is my fourth child. He's a gem and I cannot thank 4 Paws enough for the work they do.

Jason and Grover

I am so amazed with Grover! I cannot believe what a help he is! I had never heard of a service dog being used this way, but what a job he does! When Jason is outside Grover prevents him from going towards the street. In the library Jason is happy just to be with Grover. Marlene doesn't need to chase after Jason or deal with his loud outbursts! Jason seems much calmer and secure with Grover around. I know that Grover was placed in their home for Jason, but he has brought such peace and happiness to the whole family. Thank you for this wonderful service you provide...Peggy Serena

Leo and Halo

Anchorage, Alaska. Our family is absolutely overcome by how much Halo has changed our lives.

Sunday I saw Leo wandering off so I told his sister to spy on him and waited a while and did a real track with Halo. She was deterred by one second by a fresh pile of baby moose poop in the yard and then was right on. I didn't even have to use "leave it" with the moose poop, she knew she had a job to do.

He is getting so much more out of therapy because she goes with him and I'm not there for him to lean on. We can go to church as a family now, and sit there the whole time. Missing that used to make me so sad. Halo gave it back to us.

Tonight Leo was in bed, and I thought he was asleep, but when I came out of my office he was curled up in Halo's wicker basket with her, and he was fast asleep. She loves her boy.

I just wanted to thank you, for making our lives so much better, for putting the joy back into our days. You really did. My goal for Leo is just that he can be happier. Halo does that, she makes him happier.

I don't know if I told you this yet or not, but he is sleeping in his own bed the entire night. For the first time in four years.

Last night we were at my best friend's house. It is a ginormous monstrosity of a home, 8,000+ sq. feet.

Well, we lost Leo. He was just nowhere and I was starting to get that panicky feeling. I finally grabbed Halo and said "TRACK!" and off she went and she took me directly to him two flights up.

How much do I love this dog? Let me count the ways! Fundraisers, keep going. It's beyond worth it. Karen and Jeremy, there are not enough words on the planet to thank you for this...Peg

Emily the Leashlady

Over the past few years we have donated a few pups to 4Paws, and I will strongly recommend it to anyone who breeds sound, sane dogs.

The dogs are treated and trained fantastically!!!!!

They have kept in contact with us about what the dogs are doing during training, how they are partnered off for life with their new charges! We even have received pictures.

I have met one set of grandparents of a child who is partnered with one of my guys and they were in AWE of the work that 4 Paws does and how the dog had changed the whole families life for the better!!!!!!!!!!

I am very honored to have our dogs in the 4 Paws program.

Emily St. Hilaire and Sooty (Pictured to the left)

http://www.brownhillshepherds.com/
Brown Hill Shepherds est, 1979

Cody and Bo

Tonight we went to Corey's baseball game, our entire family and Bo. That has never been possible before.

Cody would never stay with us and it was so frustrating that if my mom couldn't watch Cody I wouldn't go to Corey's games (which I hated).

But tonight I spread out a blanket and Cody and Bo lay down on it and it was perfect.

They were so cute and Cody didn't even get up or try to run off, I think because he knew he couldn't go anywhere, but it was awesome.

I was kicking myself because I didn't have a camera.

I hope this is just the beginning because Bo really gave me a glimpse into some freedom for our family tonight!

Zach and Jaxon

They are really doing well together. Every day seems to be a little bit better.

Zach still likes to be the instigator when it comes to contact between himself and Jaxon. He actually laid down on Jaxon this past weekend and kept rubbing his face on his back.

Jaxon was great he just laid there and let Zach lay on him as long as he wanted.

We have taken Jaxon quite a few places. We were able to go to a high school football game with Zach.

He and Jaxon did great, the school officials were great and all welcomed Jaxon. Zach loved the game.

We also have taken Zach out for ice cream and sat outside on Main Street of the town we live in. It was great we able to sit there without worry about Zach running in the road. Zach seems to really like when we go somewhere with Jaxon, he realizes that he can't get away and doesn't even try.

He just seems so happy to get to be more independent.

The only problem we have is that Mason our younger child, 4 in August, seems to think that Jaxon is going to steal all of his toys.

Update. Zach has been much easier to calm down in transitioning from classroom to therapy since Jaxon has started school. Zach leans on Jaxon, I feel, to help him find that "safe place" in transitions. Zach now willingly walks to his classroom with Jaxon at his side. Zach no longer tries to run out of the door of his classroom. Jaxon listens very well to commands and sits at my feet during the entire therapy session. What a blessing Jaxon has been for Zach and his family...Speech Therapist - school.

Lawson and Cocoa

Fear for our child sometimes overwhelmed me. I felt as though my life was spiraling out of control. Our picture is very different today. We still have our moments but that is what they are, moments. Cocoa goes everywhere Lawson goes, school. church, restaurants and shopping.

Lawson is filled with laughter most of the time now, and a sense of humor that is just breathtaking, I love to hear him laugh, it is pure music to my ears. He laughs from his toes.

Cocoa has given him the strength he could not find, the courage he never had and a happiness that can never be replaced. Lawson and Cocoa are the hit of his elementary school. The most popular girls walk by and say " HEEEY Lawson, HEEEY Cocoa."

I realize at those moments my son is autistic but he is a boy, the smile on his face and the dance in his step says it all". I'll ask Lawson if he wants to go to the store with me and he always says is Cocoa going? In the car they go. His sense of humor, I'll tell you when you take a four legged friend into a store with you, you receive attention.

Our favorite question is "What kind of dog is that?" One day we had heard it so many times, we were really tired of saying she's a service dog etc..., well a man looked at Lawson and said" What kind of dog is that?" Lawson looks up at this man and says in his best southern voice, "That there is a corn dog!" We just all howled with laughter including the sweet man he said it to!

4 Paws and Cocoa have peeled a layer of onion for us. You have introduced us to a child we did not know existed, Words will never be able to thank you enough, and as far as our sweet Cocoa goes the day she retires she is getting the biggest T-bone steak ever. We love ya'll!...Bardie, Lawson & Cocoa!

Jake & Smokey in School

Smokey provides Jake safety and a sense of security. Having Jake tethered to Smokey on school trips eliminates his feelings of frustration, anxiety, and meltdowns. Before Smokey, we would see these meltdowns as we were having to call him and touch/hold him. He interacts with Smokey and talks to peers and teachers about his dog. Jake misses his dog when he doesn't come to school with him. Smokey is well behaved in public, the classroom, and in the school...Teacher's aide

Jake has a special relationship with his dog, Smokey. Jake is very caring towards Smokey. He enjoys hugging him and talking to him. Jake enjoys having Smokey with him at school. From a safety perspective I feel confident that Smokey will keep Jake safe and will be able to quickly locate him in case of emergency. Smokey is very well behaved at school and has blended in nicely into the school setting. Jake has benefited socially and behaviorally from his relationship with Smokey...Teacher

Kendall & Lovey

Several years ago I attended a meeting on Service Dogs (SD) for children with autism and other special needs. It was hosted by the mother of a child who had received a SD from 4 Paws. This agency, 4 Paws for Ability, was not paying her or even asking her to do these presentations; she wanted to share with others what a Service Dog did for her children (she had two with autism). I was so excited to see the important things a SD could do that I immediately looked into completing an application for my daughter and started the ball rolling toward getting a Certified Service Dog of our own.

Well, after 1.5 years, much paperwork, fundraising, and spending two weeks in Ohio this past summer in intensive training on how to work with our SD, we are now home in Wisconsin with Lovey. Lovey is Kendall's Autism Assistance Dog. Lovey is a constant companion and friend, she is by Kendall's side constantly.

Kendall had not slept in her own bed in years and the night we arrived home with Lovey I said...."time to go to your bed with Lovey". It was nothing short of a miracle, she just headed off to bed and now two months after being home is still sleeping in her own room. Lovey is trained to track Kendall so if she runs off either from our home or while out in public Lovey can track her scent. It's amazing! Lovey keeps Kendall safe in public. We tether Kendall to Lovey and that way Kendall cannot run off to do her own thing, thus keeping her safe from predators and other hazards. Lovey is a devoted non-judgemental friend to Kendall keeping her from feeling so different and lonely. We have noticed her language bursts forth since getting our SD. She has fewer meltdowns and when she does Lovey is trained to nuzzle her to distract and settle her.

There are many other stories on how SD's help children and I encourage you to check out 4 Paws website at www.4pawsforability.org. Be sure to check out meet our Service Dog Teams. 4 Paws for Ability is a very small organization that is committed to placing the right dog with the families to best suit their needs. We know that Lovey has changed Kendall's life and our entire family's life.
My husband, who was skeptical even after bringing the dog home, has stated that this dog has changed our lives, and he never would have believed it could have ever been this good. We are thankful that an organization like 4 Paws For Ability exists and encourage anyone to make a tax deductible donation because it will be used wisely and will help a child(ren) fit into this world better

Cory & Kodiak

My grandson Cory Bush received his service dog in your last graduating class, November 2007. I must say it has been a blessing for all of us, Kodiak has became another member of our family with great ease loves everyone. He is very special, Cory has adapted to him well.

The freedom that Kodiak has given to our family and Cory to walk in the mall, stores or anywhere that is needed has been wonderful. We have gone to dinner(s), a show for children, etc. Everything went very smoothly. Kodiak always is pleasant and loving very well behaved. I give a big "thumps up" to all that trained him and giving us the opportunity to receive a wonderful blessing at this time of the year.

We had the opportunity to visit during their training sessions and both my husband and I were amazed at how your facility is run. The dogs were beautiful and people were just caring for them one after one. The families that were in my daughter and son-in-law's class seemed very nice and willing to share stories with all. The master trainer really impressed our family of his knowledge and things that he was talking about.

Although our time was short we were so amazed we talked for hours and days about everything. I must have run my mouth so much that people are probably sick of hearing, because I share the photos with all. Our community has been great about placing articles in the paper so that we can get the word out there about this wonderful concept. We have had two wonderful articles in the Charleston Gazette, one you have on your web site.

My prayers go out to all the families that are trying to get the funds for their dog; may they be blessed this year with the fortune that we have. Thank you again for everything...Deborah J. Smith

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