Sep 25
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Bria Chapman

By | Make a Dream Come True

Bria Kate is our sweet, spunky, and feisty 19 month old daughter. Bria has a rare genetic disorder called Syngap1-related disorder. Due to this, sweet Bria battles every day with hypotonia, seizures, global developmental delay, sensory processing disorder, and vision impairment. Syngap1-related disorder often presents with autism as well and while she is too young to be diagnosed at this time, it may be in her future. She is mostly nonverbal which makes communication extremely frustrating for her. We are trying to raise funds to provide sweet Bria with a service dog.


Bria absolutely loves animals. Her face absolutely lights up with joy whenever she is around them. This service dog would open up a whole new world for our girl. Bria’s hypotonia means her muscles are floppy and she tires very quickly. The dog would be trained in mobility to support her while walking, going up and down stairs, and pick up items she drops. Bria can get very frustrated and overwhelmed at times. This can lead to meltdowns which often include self-injurious behaviors like biting herself and head banging. The service dog would be trained to help calm or prevent meltdowns by distracting and comforting her among other things. Bria also experiences seizures which the dog would be trained to detect and alert us to. These are just a few of the things a service dog would do for Bria.


Bria is the strongest little warrior and this dog would bring her so much joy while helping her at the same time. Bria has been accepted into the 4 Paws 4 Ability service dog program. We are now working on raising the $17,000 needed to fund this service dog for her. It costs 4 Paws an average of $40,000- $50,000 to raise, train, and place each service dog. We are committed to raising $17,000 of that amount in order for Bria to have this life changing gift.

If you’d like to help, donations can be made directly to 4 Paws 4 Ability. Please be sure to write Bria’s full name (Bria Chapman) on the memo line.

 

Checks can be mailed to:

4 Paws for Ability
In Honor of Bria Chapman
207 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, Ohio, 45385

 

If you’d like to donate online, you can do so here:

https://www.mightycause.com/story/C99a9f

or on facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/donate/359472272084404/

You may also call to make a credit card donation over the phone at (937) 374-0385 – Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM EST.

Sep 16
0

Valor Keane

By | Make a Dream Come True

 

Valor Keane is described as “love, laughter, kindness and joy wrapped up in one handsome little two-and-a-half-year-old package” by his parents. He is sweet and always smiling. 

 

But sometimes it’s hard for Valor to share these gifts with the world around him. Valor has autism spectrum disorder with language impairment. He is currently non-verbal and has a sensory processing disorder as well. This means that he has gigantic hurdles to overcome in order to comfortably function in a world that is oftentimes not quite built for someone whose brain processes things the way his does. The frustrations that come with living with his disabilities cause Valor to experience meltdowns, engage in stimming, display repetitive and sometimes self-injurious behaviors, elope (run away) in public and unsafe environments, and isolate from others. 

 

This brave little boy works so hard every single day and is making amazing progress through various therapies, but there are still many environments that are extremely overwhelming and inaccessible for him. To help open up the world for Valor as much as possible, his parents are in the process of getting him a service dog. The tasks that his autism service dog will be trained to perform will be life-changing and could be lifesaving for Valor. 

 

Here are a few of the tasks Valor’s dog will be specifically trained to do:

  • Tethering – providing an anchor for Valor in public settings so that he doesn’t wander or elope (run away) into an unsafe situation.

  • Tracking – should the unthinkable happen and Valor manages to get away from his parents, his service dog will be trained to track Valor using his scent and help reunite him with his family safely. 

  • Behavior Disruption – his dog will be trained to recognize and interrupt stimming, repetitive and self-injurious behaviors or will alert his parents to Valor’s behaviors so that his family can properly intervene. 

  • Calming and Preventing Meltdowns through Deep Pressure Therapy – when Valor is overwhelmed, he currently has to wear a weighted compression vest to give his body the input needed to calm down. His dog will be trained to provide this deep pressure for Valor in these situations, as well as serve as a welcomed distraction from Valor’s frustrations through cuddles and licks. 

  • Assistance with Transitions – Valor relies heavily on predictability and routine. The dog will act as a source of consistency and comfort for Valor when daily transitions in his preferred routines are interrupted. 

  • Social Bridge and Communication – through partnering with a dog, Valor will have a best friend who offers unconditional love with no expectations. This relationship will help Valor learn and practice social skills that currently cause him distress and anxiety. The dog will be Valor’s “safe space” to work on engaging with others in meaningful ways. 

 

Valor’s autism service dog is coming from 4 Paws for Ability. It costs 4 Paws an average of $50,000 to raise and properly train a service dog to perform these life-changing tasks.  The Keane family is raising $17,000 of the total cost. To help Valor get his lifesaving service dog, credit card gifts can be made by going to: https://www.mightycause.com/story/Valors-Service-Dog or www.4pawsforability.org/donate-now.  On the 4 Paws website, please be sure to include Valor Keane in the description box on the second check-out page.  Credit card donations can also be made over the phone at 4 Paws by calling 937-374-0385 Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM EST.

 

To donate by check, please make checks out to 4 Paws for Ability and write on the check memo line – Valor Keane and mail to:

4 Paws for Ability

In Honor of Valor Keane

207 Dayton Ave.

Xenia, Ohio, 45385.

 

Thank you for your consideration. 

 

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Sep 09
0

Samuel Jenkins

By | Make a Dream Come True

 

We are trying to raise money for my son Samuel Jenkins to receive a Service Dog from 4 Paws for Ability. Those who know Sammy, know he loves animals and would know that he struggles quite often. Samuel was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder along with Hypotonia, Sensory Integration Disorder, Language Delay, and Impaired Social Interaction. He is currently considered non-verbal. He can be an extremely anxious kid. We try our best to keep him happy and comfortable, but it can be difficult at times, especially with the lack of communication. 

We are most challenged when Sam is out of the home. Seeing the way Sam is with animals, I just know a Service Dog is the right choice. A Service Dog for Sam would be a means for further comfort and security along with companionship for both him and our family, in and out of our home. Sam tends to have meltdowns and/or stim loudly whenever he is overly anxious or frustrated from not being able to understand us or vice-versa. The Service Dog would be trained to de-escalate these melt downs by providing comforting interactions. Another thing the Service Dog would be trained in is tethering and tracking. Something Sam tends to do, which is quite common in children with autism is wandering/eloping, so having a Service Dog with those skills would be very helpful in keeping him safe. Samuel was approved for the 4 Paws for Ability program and now we are tasked with raising $17,000 to receive a Service Dog from them. To raise, train, and place a Service Dog on average costs between $40,000-60,000. We are hoping to be able to raise $17,000 of that amount. All donations will be so greatly appreciated!

If you’d like to help our Sammy, donations in support of him can be made directly to 4 Paws for Ability – be sure to write Samuel’s full name on the memo line.  Mail checks to:

4 Paws for Ability
In Honor of Samuel Jenkins
207 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, Ohio, 45385

If you wish to make an online donation, one can do so on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/donate/2851391061763325/ or on the 4 Paws website  www.4pawsforability.org/donate-now .  Include Samuel’s full name in the instructions field on the 4 Paws website.  You may also call to make a credit card donation over the phone at (937) 374-0385 – Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM EST.

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Sep 08
0

Oliver Connelly

By | Make a Dream Come True

Oliver Connelly will celebrate his 5th birthday on October 27. At the age of 2 he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, a Sensory Processing Disorder, and Hyperlexia.

Oliver has spent the last 3 years of his life in therapy and in and out of doctor offices because of his GI issues. 

Oliver's autism and GI issues affect him in multiple ways such as his speech, diet, schedule, learning ability, sleep, and just everyday life. As we face all these new challenges with Oliver, we started looking into programs that could help him along his journey, and were led to 4 Paws For Ability.

We believe a service dog would be very beneficial in helping Oliver in many aspects of his life. Oliver has a tendency to wander away, a behavior common with Autism.  These dogs are trained in tracking and tethering, keeping Oliver safe. Another benefit of a service dog, specifically for Oliver, would be their help in calming and preventing meltdowns as well as assisting in ceasing repetitive behaviors. Oliver is known to self-harm when he is having a meltdown, and these dogs learn how to redirect these behaviors.

There are many other possible benefits that can be derived from having an Autism Assistance Dog including friendship, improving Oliver's sleep, and becoming a social bridge leading to an incentive to communicate, therefore improving his delay in speech and communication. A service dog can also teach responsibility as well as assisting with transitions. 

We have reached the 3rd stage along our journey: Fundraising for the service fee. It cost 4 Paws for Ability around $40,000-$60,000 to raise and properly train a service dog for each person. Their funding model is partial payment for services, meaning we are responsible for a service fee of $17,000. 

We feel that an autism assistance dog would help Oliver tremendously in navigating his day to day life and are asking for your partnership in effort to raise the money needed for our son to become one of the many children benefiting from a service animal. 

To donate directly visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/302583711181393/?fundraiser_source=external_url

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Aug 26
0

Magic Reimagined Virtual Gala

By | New News!
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As 4 Paws turns 22, and the world presents new challenges, our gala is Magic Reimagined with the support of friends and family like you.
4 Paws has laid the foundation, but growth and improvement are limitless. Magic Reimagined is a spirit, a mission, an operating plan. It’s a commitment and a promise to continue growing for each client who needs our help, for each puppy in our program, and for each staff member and volunteer who commits their time to ensuring we place the most amazing service dogs. May we never be too old to use our imagination to propel our dreams into reality!
We are hoping to see our long-distance virtual options be just as successful as our past onsite events, but we know this will take a lot of help from our friends, family, and supporters! Here are all the ways you can help:
-Buy a Virtual Gala Ticket and join us on October 10 on our livestream!  https://4pawsforabilitystore.org/collections/gala
-Make a donation to our gala in support of 4 Paws for Ability
-Purchase a 4 Paws Gala t-shirt
https://www.customink.com/fundraising/4-paws-magic
-Join our silent auction page on Facebook and bid on items during the event:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4PawsFundraising

Special thanks to our event sponsors, who support 4 Paws near, far, and 2020 social distancing style!

  • Eisai – Presenting Sponsor
  • James Investment Research – Top Dog Sponsor
  • Heidelberg Distributing
  • Jean Ali Family

Finally, sincere thanks to The Mandalay Banquet Center & Catering for the continued support of 4 Paws for Ability and for allowing us to move our in person event to a future date, when we will all hopefully be able to gather together again!

Aug 26
0

Help from Home Update

By | New News!
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As you know, this pandemic is not over – but we are right alongside our business and nonprofit friends in Ohio, implementing safe reopening procedures and constantly monitoring our processes to make sure that everyone who visits and volunteers at 4 Paws is safe.

We’re moving our Help from Home Activities off our homepage but we want to make sure everyone has access to them always – these free activities will always be available for download!
Aug 21
0

Karina Acevedo

By | Make a Dream Come True

Hello, my name is Jennifer and I am the proud mom of Karina Lynn. She is a beautiful, supersweet brave 11-year-old who suffers from Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) a severe lifelong form of epilepsy with multiple types of seizures, particularly tonic (stiffening) and atonic (drop) seizures. LGS has no cure. Treatment for LGS include: seizure medications, dietary therapies, implanted devices (vagal nerve stimulator) and surgery, ALL which she has done and yet she still suffers over 100 seizures a day. LGS is a debilitating disease, which progresses as you get older. Karina Lynn was diagnosed with Infantile spasms and seizure disorder (at the age of seven months by our favorite doctor, Dr.Maytal at the Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center) which developed into Lennox Gastaut Syndrome in 2017. My big girl requires 24-hour supervision. Karina’s health will progressively get worse. This (and Karina’s busy schedule of frequent specialists’ visits and her therapies) unfortunately led me to give up my job to become her caregiver, and I no longer have an income. Thus, I am fundraising for the cost of a seizure dog.

I need to raise $17,000 dollars before Karina can be put on a list for a dog. This special seizure dog will help her with both physical and emotional support, it will alert me when she is having a seizure and would be a HUGE blessing and addition to our family. You cannot imagine the guilt I go through as a mom when I can literally turn around for ONE second and find my child on the floor seizing.


Just as the COVID pandemic began to spread, we were super excited to find out that a big organization was going to cover the $17,000 fee for the dog. I told Karina all about her wish coming true. All she could talk about was that her new “best friend” was coming and she couldn’t wait to spend every day with her “special doggie.” We thought we had a funding source to cover the fee. Within two weeks we were told that they were no longer giving seizure dogs as part of their wishes just as we had gotten news from 4 Paws that Karina’s application was accepted. My daughter was devastated. This would not only mean the world to me but you would help to make Karina Lynn’s dream come true.

Please consider donating to Karina’s seizure dog. Help us make her dream come true of having not only a seizure dog but a best friend that will provide the love, safety, and confidence that any child with disabilities both needs and deserves. So please if you can donate, no matter the amount, we would be eternally grateful. Every dollar counts! All donations go directly to 4 Paws for the dog. If you cannot donate I would ask that you please share!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/892705534545773/?fundraiser_source=external_url  

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Aug 14
0

Daniel Thornton

By | Make a Dream Come True

Daniel is our funny and sweet loving 9 year old son. He was diagnosed with Level 2 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and moderate to severe Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) at age 5. Daniel struggles to regulate himself emotionally, wanders easily, and has difficulty making friends and fitting in as most kids with ASD face. This not only interferes with his social life at school but can affect as a family where we go, who we see, and the types of activities we take part in. My husband, Daniel’s dad, travels for a living and being by myself can limit us due to having 2 boys VS 1 mom on outings. 

Daniel has been approved for an Autism Assistance Service Dog from 4 Paws For Ability! This is where we need your help. We have been working toward getting to this point for 2 years. As some of you know Daniel used to be absolutely terrified of animals. Thank goodness he is finally ready!!!

These dogs are incredible in every way. We feel it will not only enhance Daniel’s life but our families as well. These amazing furry friends not only provide a companion for Daniel, but will help redirect him when he is over stimulated, upset, or stimming. Over time we have the possibility of these struggles being reduced thanks to the dog! They are also trained to tether to the child to keep them from wandering. If Daniel were to wander off at any time whether we are home, camping, or a friend’s house, the dog can track him and is trained to do so! 

Ultimately, when we asked Daniel why he wanted a Service Dog (SD) he replied with, “So I always have a friend to play with at school”. Hearing this as parents, our hearts broke and we decided the cost of the dog is priceless to provide him a companion so he never feels alone.

The cost of the dog will not stop us, our portion to raise is $17,000. With some outstanding love and support we have raised $3,470 so far, leaving us a remainder of $13,530. This is where we could use your help to make Daniel’s dream come true! 

Donations in love and support of Daniel can be made online via the website: www.4pawsforability.org/donate-now

Or

By check via mail: 4 Paws For Ability

In honor of Daniel Thornton

253 Dayton Ave.

Xenia, OH 45385

 

Thank you for all who choose to support us in our journey and God Bless!   

 

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Jul 24
0

Gavyn Cook

By | Make a Dream Come True

Hello and thank you for reading my son’s story.  Please let me introduce you to my 9 year old son Gavyn.  He is a very sweet boy who loves animals, playing video games, listening to music and helping others.  He has suffered from abandonment issues, emotional abuse and neglect that lead us to seeking help and guidance for my son.  After a year and a half of therapy, neuropsychological and other exams, we learned that my son suffers from Generalized Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and potentially PTSD.  This helps explain why he has been developmentally behind, had meltdowns, focus issues, impulse control issues and issues forming relationships with other people including his peers.

Based on the determinations from doctors and talking to others who have the same issues, we were told about applying to 4 Paws for Ability for a service dog, as they thought it might be beneficial to Gavyn to help with some of the life challenges. Therefore, I applied to 4 Paws for Ability and completed the application process which included, medical documentation and other approvals. Gavyn was approved for the program and now we have agreed to raise $17,000 for 4 Paws for Ability. Training a service dog to meet the requirements can be very costly.  On average it costs between $40,000-60,000 to raise, train, and place a service dog at 4 Paws for Ability. I am tasked with raising $17,000 of that amount and am hoping that we can receive assistance to make Gavyn’s dream come true.

Gavyn has been approved for a multi-purpose service dog that will help Gavyn and improve his way of life.  The dog will help him through training to interrupt an escalation or meltdown, detect anxiety and apply deep pressure and encourage some social lubrication. In addition, this will give Gavyn a non-judgmental, 24/7 friend who will love him unconditionally and show him that not everyone leaves. We believe this will help Gavyn become more independent and successful in life.

Gavyn was my miracle baby as when I was 17, my doctors told me I would never have children.  When I was 26, I found out I was pregnant with him and had a very rough pregnancy where I almost lost him. Since then he has had a very rough 9 years experiencing things no kid should ever have to. It is a mother’s worst nightmare being told by her 5 year old that he is unlovable, unwanted and that he can’t do anything right.  A service dog can make a positive impact on the rest Gavyn’s life that NO amount of therapy, medication or alternative therapy is able to do.

How can YOU help Gavyn?

Donations in support of Gavyn should be made directly to 4 Paws for Ability – be sure to write Gavyn’s name on the memo line.  Mail checks to:

4 Paws for Ability
In Honor of Gavyn Cook
253 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, Ohio, 45385.

If you wish to make an online donation, the website is www.4pawsforability.org/donate-now .  Include Gavyn’s name in the memo line so that the amount is credited to his account!

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Jul 24
0

Alexi Janae “AJ” Oliveira-Golden

By | Make a Dream Come True

My child’s full name is Alexijanae Kanani Oliveira-Golden. She had medical issues at birth. She is suffering from a rare disorder called Schizencephaly. And Texas Children’s Hospital diagnosed her with Dyskinetic quadropalegic cerebral palsy in 2008.

She has clefts in the hemisphere surface. It’s a disorder that takes place in normal neuron migration during the second trimester. At this time primitive neuron precursors migrate from just beneath the Ventricular ependyma to the peripheral hemispheres where they form the cortical grey matter, causing quadriparesis.

Alexijanae also has microgyria on her brain, which they say is attributed to a genetic defect. She doesn’t walk, doesn’t have good arm reach, and is hard to understand; however she is very smart and cognitive. Her limbs and tongue muscle are her main issues.

She needs a service dog more than anyone I know. We face challenges every day. She wants independence, freedom, she wants to dance and be in gymnastics, she wants to do her own dressing and take her own shoes off . . . but she can’t.

She also has Septo-optic dysplasia and has had two eye surgeries. Plus, she just had her hip sliced in two and put back together. She needs help doing everything; however she is in normal grade school classes.

Alexijanae loves kids and life! She needs a chance in life to make it! She loves Disney and we want to go. She is outgoing and a leader. She loves our church. She wants to become a singer, loves high school musicals, and she loves watching her older brother.

We heard about 4 Paws for Ability (a nonprofit agency) and their Mobility Service Dogs. We think obtaining a dog for Alexijanae would be beneficial to her and us. 4 Paws has a unique approach to placement. They partner with their clients and by doing so are able to place dogs without a long waiting list. A service dog would be ideal because it would give Alexijanae independence, help, support, and a 24/7 friend.

I want so much for Alexijanae and her sister Alia to have everything life has to offer, including excellent gymnastics and dance. Alexijanae loves to sing and maybe at some point she can have a scholarship for voice lessons. She’s getting an awesome education. There are many things she yearns to do, like play baseball. And someday she wants to get married and have children.

It will cost 4 Paws over $40,000 to place a dog with Alexijanae. We are committed to raising $17,000 in support of the 4 Paws mission and can reach our goal with your help. If you can help, please visit 4 Paws Donation Page (http://www.4PawsForAbility.org/donate-now) or mail a check with her name on the memo line to:
4 Paws for Ability
In Honor of Alexijanae Oliveira-Golden
253 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, Ohio 45385.

Thank you.

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