I live with less fear.

Jul 07

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I live with less fear.

By 4 Paws Media | ADA 25 Celebration, Fundraising, Seizure Alert, Service Dog Education, Service Dog Stories

25 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act has Changed Lives

8. I live with less fear.

This is Sophie and her service dog Tinkerbell. With Tink, Sophie is able to enjoy the world around her and Tink provides a lifeline against life threatening seizures. Her alerts provide Sophie and her mom with a small sense of stability and comfort in a world that is consistently impacted by the unpredictability of seizures. Tink helps Sophie continue to have kid experiences, like playing dress up, amidst the scary moments no kiddo should ever experience.

“The ADA law has allowed Sophie to go places we would not have been able to take her otherwise, and opened many doors and services we would have never known existed”.

Celebrate ADA! Donate today, http://bit.ly/4PawsForADA #ADA25 #4PawsForADA

Jul 07

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The ADA protects my privacy.

By 4 Paws Media | ADA 25 Celebration, Fundraising, Multipurpose Assistance, Service Dog Education, Service Dog Stories

25 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act has Changed Lives

7. The ADA protects my privacy.

People who need the Americans with Disabilities Act to have fair and equal access to public accommodations could face a variety of medical conditions and diagnoses. The ADA protects them from having to share that information with anyone but their doctor. Even invisible disabilities need not be discussed with the general public when seeking fair access to a location or business.

Brandon and his service dog Sophia don’t have to share any personal information for fair access. Since Brandon’s disabilities are not visually obvious, the ADA protects him and his family from having to share his background or medical history with everyone that asks. They even go to school together with the access laws provided by the ADA.

“The ADA protects my privacy and allows me and my best girl access to most any place my family wants to go. With the ADA I can navigate the world with my girl and avoid a lot of embarrassment, interruptions, and questions. Without the ADA and the access it ensures me, I would miss out on a lot of the world around me”.

Celebrate ADA! Donate today, http://bit.ly/4PawsForADA #ADA25 #4PawsForADA

Jul 03

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My medical equipment goes everywhere.

By 4 Paws Media | ADA 25 Celebration, Fundraising, Multipurpose Assistance, Service Dog Education, Service Dog Stories

25 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act has Changed Lives

6. My medical equipment goes everywhere.

Griz might not look like what you expect, which is a good reminder that any dog, with the right temperament and task training can be a service dog – don’t judge a book (a service dog or their person) by the cover. Yet, he and his girl Bekah have a pretty neat story. Griz came from a high-kill shelter and Bekah was adopted from an orphanage – mom thanks 4 Paws, the training staff, and divine intervention for writing their story as one. Griz was trained to help Bekah manage her high anxiety in places where she is afraid – which for her is every place there are people. Thanks to the ADA Griz can work his magic wherever we travel.

As a result, Griz has increased Bekah’s independence and confidence. Her family has spent years visiting places and doing things that they never thought possible – because her medically assistive service dog goes everywhere with her. Griz can interrupt a flashback or intervene when her anxiety is high, giving Bekah security and a foundation of safety, even in a chaotic world.

“His loyalty has taught Bekah that she can trust and be safe. Something she never understood before Griz became her dog”!

Celebrate ADA! Donate today, http://bit.ly/4PawsForADA #ADA25 #4PawsForADA

Jul 03

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Reasonable accommodations bring me to the playing field, even when the game is still hard.

By 4 Paws Media | ADA 25 Celebration, Autism Assistance, Fundraising, Service Dog Education, Service Dog Stories

25 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act has Changed Lives

5. Reasonable accommodations bring me to the playing field, even when the game is still hard.

This is Hannah and her service dog, Tandy. Like many of our clients, Hannah has an invisible disability. An invisible or hidden disability is one that isn’t necessarily obvious from looking at or even speaking with a person, but impairs their capabilities. Invisible disabilities can include chronic illnesses, diabetes, autism, and PTSD. The ADA has helped Hannah get the accommodations that she needs in the classroom and in public. She still has to work hard to achieve, but she has the resources she needs to excel.

“[The ADA] ensures I’m on an equal playing field with everyone else. I would not have the help I’m getting today without the ADA and Tandy”.

Celebrate ADA! Donate today, http://bit.ly/4PawsForADA #ADA25 #4PawsForADA

Jul 03

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The ADA is freedom for me.

By 4 Paws Media | ADA 25 Celebration, Fundraising, Service Dog Education, Service Dog Stories, Veteran Assistance

25 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act has Changed Lives

4. The ADA is freedom for me.

Veterans have long fought for our freedom. They have risked their lives, and far too many have given it, for the freedom of this country. Leading up to and following the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 men and women have contributed to keeping it free. While people with disabilities were historically marginalized, veterans of WWI and WWII were among the first communities to fight for disability rights…and it worked. Veterans of these wars saw some of the first technologies developed specifically to enhance the quality of life and self-sufficiency of people with disabilities.

The Americans with Disabilities Act has bridged many gaps in accommodations, and it allows returning veterans with new life circumstances to be free; free to make choices, to navigate their communities, to engage in society. Perhaps even the freedom to start their own business; like Anthony (Founder & CEO) and 4 Paws Service Dog Pablo (Gym Dog & Motivator) of Moro Performance. Anthony served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years. Today he is his own boss and trains athletes, helps people get fit, and pushes everyone to #BeUncommon. Pablo accompanies him because the ADA says he can (oh, and because it’s his gym).

Happy 4^th of July to Anthony, Pablo, and all our veterans!

Celebrate ADA! Donate today, http://bit.ly/4PawsForADA #ADA25 #4PawsForADA

Jul 01

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I have the right to attend a school with my peers.

By 4 Paws Media | ADA 25 Celebration, Autism Assistance, Fundraising, Multipurpose Assistance, Service Dog Education, Service Dog Stories

25 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act has Changed Lives

3. I have the right to attend a school with my peers.

This is Jake and his service dog Dot. They became best friends in December 2014. Dot is a member of the 4 Paws for Ability breeder program and also a certified Service Dog. She serves two purposes, the first is to be Jake’s way into the world, and the second is to provide future service dogs for 4 Paws For Ability. She recently had her first litter of 8 puppies, The Thor Litter, and they are 9 weeks old.

When Jake first got Dot the school Jake was attending would not allow the service dog. While in direct conflict with the law, Jake’s family decided they didn’t want a school to just follow the law. They wanted a school to also openly accept Jake and Dot, so they changed schools. Jake and Dot are a great pair and do very well at the new school, where they are very well loved. Jake and Dot are also heading out to Boy Scout camp, and aided by his positive school experiences with his peers, he is sure to have a great time exploring a new world and attempting new challenges. Finally, Jake gets to experience the joys of family events with assistance from Dot – events like his sister Katie’s birthday, which happens to be today. Happy Birthday Katie!

“The ADA law and Dot have opened so many doors for Jake. Without the ADA law, Jake and Dot could not attend school or camp together. With Dot, Jake can experience so many new things”!

Celebrate ADA! Donate today, http://bit.ly/4PawsForADA #ADA25 #4PawsForADA

Jul 01

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When all else fails, the law is on my side.

By 4 Paws Media | ADA 25 Celebration, Autism Assistance, Fundraising, Service Dog Education, Service Dog Stories

25 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act has Changed Lives

2. When all else fails, the law is on my side.

This is Shyanna and her service dog, Spring, at the zoo! Her brother also needs a service dog and is still diligently working to fundraiser for that life-changing medical resource. Spring has been so helpful to Shyanna, that her mom wasn’t willing to compromise when their school fought against welcoming the working pair…they were “kicked out”, and lawyers wound up working the details. In the meantime, Spring helped Shyanna in ways that her mom never thought could happen. Shyanna and Spring are now thriving at their school, Athens City, and everyone is falling in love with the both of them.

“Even with the law on my side it’s not always easy but in the end the ADA helps people understand that my children have rights too”.

Celebrate ADA! Donate today, http://bit.ly/4PawsForADA #ADA25 #4PawsForADA

Jul 01

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All service dogs are covered – not just guide dogs!

By 4 Paws Media | ADA 25 Celebration, Autism Assistance, Fundraising, Service Dog Education, Service Dog Stories

25 Ways the Americans with Disabilities Act has Changed Lives

1. All service dogs are covered – not just guide dogs!

This is Caden and his service dog Elf. Elf is an autism assistance service dog. The ADA provides public access rights for all types of task trained service dogs. While guide dogs, sometimes called seeing-eye dogs, have the most public exposure, service dogs serve a wide breadth of accessibility needs. All of 4 Paws for Ability’s service dogs have public access rights: these include seizure assistance, hearing assistance, autism assistance, FASD assistance, mobility assistance, facilitated guide, diabetic alert, and PTSD alert dogs.

“Without the law, Caden would have to endure a lot of fear and anxiety without his best friend by his side. The ADA allows Caden the opportunity to just be a kid and enjoy the world around him”.

Celebrate ADA! Donate today, http://bit.ly/4PawsForADA #ADA25 #4PawsForADA