|
|||||
      |
|||||
4Paws4Service: Service Dogs in Action!
Do we have stories for you! This page is dedicated to spreading first-hand information about what happens once a family and its service dog leave the 4 Paws for Ability training center in Xenia, Ohio. Miracles happen with service dogs! Above, you'll find links to illustrated stories in PDF format. Enjoy, and pass the word. Alaska mom one year later. "You made a difference. You know who you are."
Alex, Autism, and Alfalfa: The Difference a Service Dog can make June 2011. I have triplets. Two boys and a girl: 10 years old. Alex has Autism, moderate and is largely non-verbal. Nikki and Ryan are typical, but as any parent with an Autistic child will know, their lives are anything but. I have been a single dad since they were four years old, until my remarriage 12 months ago. Over the years, I have worked hard with the kids to ensure their lives are as happy and as normal as possible. I have worked extensively with Alex in a range of therapies encompassing ABA, RDI, Speech, OT, music therapy: a plethora of approaches aimed at reaching him and helping him to engage with the world around him. Nikki and Ryan love their brother; there is a sweetness and playfulness about Alex that makes him impossible not to love. There is no denying however, that being raised in a family with an Autistic child creates a very different family dynamic. Whether it is explaining to your friends why there are locks with pass codes on all the external doors, why the windows are nailed shut, or that you have a pass-coded lock on your bedroom door to stop your brother from messing with your things. Perhaps it is being at school and being known as the kid with the Autistic sibling who doesn't talk and has meltdowns for no apparent reason. Or maybe it is the regular disapproving stares in shopping centers and restaurants, when your brother, who looks normal, suddenly starts yelling or throwing plates across the table. My two neuro-typical children have never complained; they love their brother, but there is no denying Autism impacts their lives as well. When we first contemplated getting a Service Dog for Alex it was an enormous leap of faith. I'd had a dog in the past . . . a great dog. Getting a service dog took a lot of effort, fundraising and planning . . . was it really going to add that much more than a great pet? We'd met with other families who assured us it would change Alex's life - but until Alfalfa came happily bounding into our lives, we had no idea of the far-reaching and unanticipated benefits that this amazing dog would bring, along the way making a profound difference in all of our lives. Alfalfa came to us from an organization called 4 Paws for Ability, which is dedicated to changing the lives of families and children with special needs through the provision of these highly trained Service Dogs. This organization fulfilled its mission for my family in amazing ways I could never have anticipated. The most obvious benefit is the task training the Service Dog receives to mitigate Alex's Disability (that is the wording needed to get the dogs into the school under the ADA) . . . In Alex's case Alfalfa is task trained in tracking, tethering, and behavior disruption. Tracking: If Alex ever gets away from me, and for an agile 10-year-old with no sense to fear, this is not inconceivable . . . Alfalfa will track him down. We practice his search and rescue skills regularly, inside, outside, at parks, in shopping centers, in the neighborhood, at the school. While I hope never to have to use this skill, there is an amazing peace of mind that comes with having the capability on hand 24 hours a day. Tethering: Tethering my son to a dog was the one thing I was not supportive of initially. I wouldn't want my son tied to an animal. Who would? But that was until I saw it in action. Until I saw how much independence it gave Alex and how much he loves it. After a lifetime of being gripped by the hand, Alex now has a new level of independence, kept safe by his new best four-legged friend. I still hold Alfalfa's leash, and Alex can still go no further than the length of the tether allows, but that couple of feet provide him with a new-found sense of independence and self empowerment, and me with the critical 30 seconds it would take to prevent him running in front of a car, or running off in a crowded shopping center and amusement park. Just having two hands free to conduct the daily mundane activities like paying for groceries, is a newfound luxury. Behavior disruption: There are specific behaviors that Alex does that I have spent countless hours trying to stop him doing: banging his head, biting his fingers, running and throwing himself against a wall. Alfalfa is trained to respond on command to Alex with nuzzling or "kisses" to distract him from these self-injurious behaviors. More and more I watch in amazement as Alfalfa spontaneously intervenes without even the need for commands. The less obvious benefits are just an important . . . Socially: In the past few months dogs have been associated with significant steps forward in Alex's social development. For the first time Alex spontaneously said "I love you." While some would be disappointed, this utterance was directed at a dog he loves while throwing a ball for it, not me! This was his first spontaneous utterance of these words and the fact he used them in the right context provided evidence that he knows what the words mean and that he understands me when I say "I love you" each and every night when I put him to bed. After 10 years of not knowing if he understood that I love him unconditionally, this was a gift. Alex now has his first best friend. Alfalfa is there when Alex goes to sleep and when he wakes up. He is by Alex's side at school, at home, in therapy, everywhere he goes, Alfalfa is there. Always loyal, always loving, always happy. Only parents of a child who has never had a real friend can understand how much it means to see their child enthusiastically engage with another living creature with such love. At school, Alex is no longer the strange kid who doesn't talk or want to play. Alex is the cool kid who gets to bring a dog to school. The other kids seek him out as he is always with Alfalfa. They smile at him in the hallways, say hello, and ask him about Alfalfa. In public, Alex's world used to be a sea of "hostile" faces, people who didn't understand his disability and routinely passed judgment on him. Not though any real ill intent: just through a complete lack of understanding of the nature of Autism. Sending him disapproving glances meant to convey their disapproval of his behavior, presumably in the hope he'd notice and behave himself, or that as his father, I will discipline him in the way any "good" parent should. Today Alex is faced with a constant stream of people smiling at him. Alfalfa is impossible to not smile at. I can only imagine how this changes Alex's experience of the world, which overnight became a welcoming and friendly place for him. Alfalfa has become a walking billboard proclaiming, more loudly than words, that people should not judge my son. Alfalfa communicates in a way nothing else could, that Alex is special and deserving of people's support, not their judgment. As his father, I have been worried about Alex every minute of every day since he was born. The intent watchfulness that comes with having a very young child has never really gone away. For 10 years, I have held his hand constantly while in public, never sure if he will dart away and into the path of danger. At home, my hearing has been fine turned over the years to automatically pick up any unusual sound that might indicate a problem. Today Alex has a full time four-legged guardian completely devoted to his well-being. It doesn't mean I am any less vigilant, but the tethering does mean that I can give him increased independence without the constant fear he could vanish in an instant or run under a car. The 30 seconds the tether to Alfalfa provides might not seem like long, but it make a huge difference, especially to Alex who loves his newfound freedom. It is impossible to watch a child in your home 24 hours a day, especially when you have three. Alfalfa is an extra pair of eyes. He will step in if Alex get's upset, alert me if Alex were to leave the home or yard, and intervene if Alex does one of the behaviors Alfalfa has been taught to disrupt on command. While I hope I never need to use the tracking Alfalfa has been trained for, every time we practice and Alfalfa finds Alex hiding in a place I would have taken hours to find, I experience an overwhelming love for this dog that I can't explain. Socially, it is amazing how desensitized you become to people's judgment. To ignoring the disapproving looks from other adults when your child has a meltdown in a store or yells "Ice cream!" repeatedly in a restaurant. Recently our family went out to a restaurant and for the first time we didn't have Alfalfa with us. It was a stark reminder of how unintentionally cruel people can be with snap judgments and misinformed assumptions. The feeling of being judged, combined with the anger associated with wanting to protect your child from others' unwarranted judgment is exhausting. Nikki and Ryan live in a world that is constantly impacted by a brother with Autism. They have demonstrated their love for Alex in so many way, but none more meaningfully than the support they have given me during the process of getting Alex's Service Dog. For two ten-year-old children to understand their brother is getting a special dog that can go with him everywhere, one that they can't give treats to or throw the ball for, has required a sense of responsibility that belies their age. They have shown so much maturity in helping train Alfalfa and, more importantly, not undermining the carefully constructed relationship between Alex and his Service Dog, it makes me incredibly proud of them. Getting Alfalfa has had a significant positive impact on their world as well. At home, Alex is less interested in annoying them to get a reaction, he is more interested in playing ball with Alfalfa. This alone has brought a greater sense of peace into our home. At school we are suddenly the family that has the really cool Service Dog. The only one in their school, in fact the first one in the school district. Their peers want to talk to them, want to find out more about Alex and Alfalfa. Nikki and Ryan have a new found sense of pride in Alex as their brother. They have both given presentations to their classes about Autism and Service dogs. They want to go out more, as they like the attention and admiration Alfalfa brings to the family whether it is at the local supermarket or our favorite restaurant. We are early on in the journey with our Service Dog. The vibrant and active support network of 4 Paws Service Dog families we are now a part of, gives me great hope for the future. The stories of the impact these dogs have made is amazing. The life changing experiences we have had to date on our Service Dog adventure has already made it worth all the effort. I can only imagine what the future holds, but I know that Alfalfa, Alex's new best friend, will continue to play a significant role in it. This article was published in Autism Resource Center of South Florida's website.
Matthew was in a wheelchair when we got Basil. He (Matthew) is hearing impaired, has cortical visual impairment, autism, and has cerebral palsy along with many other medical issues. Matthew loves Basil, and went from his wheelchair to a walker with the help of Basil and the love and unconditional care he shows Matthew. Matthew went from support of devices to running bases without either a chair or walker at challenger ball. Matthew not only walks, but he runs with his best friend and medical support(Basil). His dog, and best friend, allows him to live a normal life, or at least as normal as it gets. Basil is Matthew's eyes, ears stability, medical support if his airway fails, or if a seizures occurs. Plus, if he roams, Basil will help him find his way home, or help us find him. P.S. Matthew is never lonely anymore. He has a friend who is more dedicated to him that, you or I could ever dream of. October 9, 2010. Bones is such an incredible dog - honestly, his personality and training are more than we ever expected or hoped for. We love him to pieces already and he's fit in SO neatly with our family. Luke has slept in his bed every single night since we took Bones home to the hotel at Homewood Inn. Our whole family would have LOVED to stay at 4 Paws forever - honestly, we could have moved in or nearby and never left. You have a very unique and special place there - I hope God continues to bless your work because you have certainly blessed many families and special children. September 15, 2010 Even Service Dogs need get well cards. Monroe had a virus and had been sick from last Friday through Tuesday. This meant that Ryan had to go to school without Monroe, which worried me, but things went well. On Tuesday afternoon, I opened Ryan's folder to find a "get well" card that the kids in the LI room had made for Monroe. It was really cute. Back at school today and everyone was happy to see him. Vet was not sure if it was something he ate or a virus. Even the kids in the regular ed classes that Ryan is in with an aide were concerned about him. Just wanted to share my "warm and fuzzy" moment...Michelle Delaney
My name is Mira and I am a member of the Superstars litter born to Mom: Blessing and Dad: Mario on 6-22-2009. We are Labradoodles. I hear that you are a cute girl and I am so excited. Tell me do you like Pink? I have been so jealous of Piper. She has all those great Pink things and can be such a girl and I have to work hard tracking in the mud, rain, snow....I mean you got to track no matter what it is like outside and then I get all dirty. I want someone to spoil me and let me be a girl some days! We will have so much fun together. I know you like to ride in cars and sometimes sit in them hoping it will go somewhere. I like to go for rides places too! We are just so very excited to introduce you to Mira. She is a beautiful Labradoodle that will be Sarah's service dog. Sarah, my mom & I will be going to Xenia, OH to meet and train with Mira next week. Thank you for helping us in this endeavor. We pray that Mira will help Sarah with all sorts of things, like making connections, staying safe, and helping calm anxieties. She looks so awesome and we are truly THRILLED!! Thank you and we will certainly keep you all posted!!! Beth Polk...Stay tuned! August 24, 2010. When taking Riley to his middle school to drop off supplies, I took Max and Irish along. Typically Riley is very nervous taking Max around his school or peers that aren't necessarily close friends. Max can have embarrassing behaviors for me to handle, much less a 7th grader! He was nervous that day too, but Irish's effect on Max was so noticeable. Max stayed right with us and didn't fight his tether. He sat and petted her when we took a long time talking to his counselor...instead of exploring the school, getting lost, being loud, defiant,etc. Then we went shoe shopping and Max's behavior was once again so appropriate. Kids keep coming up to us to ask if they can pet Irish and I have Max answer "Yes." He is having so many more socialization opportunities because of Irish. We also went to our town's big festival and she was a champ. All the noise and food and people didn't faze her a bit. We are so proud of her! Carrie. Cadi Gives Physician ApprovalAugust 2010. Anna is now off the heart/lung bypass pump. A note about how well 4 Paws Dogs are trained. When we met Anna's heart surgeon, Cadi was in a place in a corner of the exam room. She stayed there for the entire examination/discussion of the surgery: 55+ minutes. As things were wrapping up, she gets out of her place, walks over to the surgeon and rolls on her back (the ultimate position of submission in a dog's world) under his crossed feet. She seemed to be saying, "Okay you've got my approval to operate on my girl's heart." July 1, 2010. From Kristen, Mother to Maya and SD Miami. It's been almost two weeks since the training and I am still bursting with gratitude. The trainers Jeremy, Jennifer, Kayla, Kristie, and Jessalyn were extraordinary. Knowledgeable, supportive, funny, helpful, compassionate, gifted. Karen is inspiring. Suzanne the vet was really helpful. 4 Paws staff members were friendly and approachable. The families rocked! The dogs are all amazing. I kept clapping for them! Thanks to all! The atmosphere was wonderful-relaxed, supportive.. .On the first day, Jeremy told us he knew kids would have melt downs, run across the room, scream, cry, seize during class. None of it would bother the trainers. He just wanted to make sure we could hear him, so just let him know if he needed to adjust the mike. How I wish most places I go would adopt that mentality!! Getting to hang out with other families experiencing some similar challenges was also a gift So is this list for that matter. Thanks to all who are on it and share struggles, silly stories, possible solutions, and hope. It is wonderful to be home with Miami! She is awesome. Maya had a tough week last week -having 33 partial complex seizures. Miami was around for about half of those and helped alert me to 3 of them when I was in another room. She sleeps by Maya at night. Maya loves when we practice "over." She likes the deep pressure. Most times it makes her laugh. She loves to throw the tennis ball with Miami (Maya has a longer attention span for that than Miami does). Maya likes to give her treats. Maya also likes to bring all of Miami's toys to her regardless of where Miami is (we're working on gently bringing them to her, also working on helping Maya handle surprise licks and surprise sniffing, and occasional incidental scratching with a paw.) Miami is super sweet with neighbor kids, dogs, and cats. Awesome blessing to have Miami in our family. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you 4 Paws!!!...Kristen
We didn't know if she had gone upstairs to the public library? Outside(not the best neighborhood)? To the bathroom, or if she was hiding somewhere in the studio (which is in an old winding basement with lots of nooks and crannies and offices. Jingle went to a side room. I poked my head in and looked around but she wasn't in there, so I took Jingle with me to look all over for her, the teacher and I spread out. Turns out she was hiding in the room Jingle led me to, but I had her on the leash and didn't let her go all the way in and get her. Jingle isn't a tracking dog. We aren't trained in this, and I was upset and in a hurry to find her in case she'd run outside so I hadn't trusted Jingle, and had actually led her away from Riley. We love our Jing. She is a great dog. She actually cries when she loses site of Riley, for example if we are in a public place, and Riley leaves to use the rest room. I should have known she was right...Michelle O'Neil May 18, 2010 From Heather N., Mom to Jonathan and Buddy (SD-Spring Loaded '09). Hi Everyone!
It's been a long time since I've posted to the group, but I wanted to share what a great morning we had today. I took Jonathan to the doctor and Buddy went with us. (We've had Buddy a year now). We were going to the doctor to get a script for an aug. comm. device for Jonathan. He is basically non-verbal. May 6, 2010 from Maggie and Kevin. Danny & Kermit are great. One thing we've noticed, and I"m not even sure if 4 Paws worked on this. But Danny has a hard time transitioning from the van into the house when we get home from somewhere. Before Kermit, it would take average of 20 minutes to an hour! We did show this in our video. Since Kermit, he transitions from the van anywhere from immediately to 10 minutes! It has reduced substantially! Kermit will go out and keep checking on Danny and usually just wait with him out in the garage. Last night Kermit got left in the garage because I didn't even realize he was waiting with Danny! Darn that dark fur! They are really starting to bond and Kermit loves watching over Danny. December 17, 2009 Carolyn, Steve, Hannah and Sirius Ellefson here! We just wanted to send you a quick update on our newest family member....Mr. SIRIUS!, and suggest a type of service dog that 4 Paws must be training! Sirius is wonderful and we love every furry inch of him. He is a celebrity at the school and everywhere he goes the kids say "Hi Hannah! Hi Sirius" It is just awesome. I just wanted to share with Jeremy, Jen, and Jessa as well as all of the staff and trainers at 4 paws that not only have you trained the most incredible Seizure Alert/Tracking dog for Hannah, but you have also trained an unbelievable avalanche rescue dog!! Ha Ha. We came home to Okotoks Alberta Canada on Sunday December 13th to 4 feet of snow and -29 degree temperatures. This was quite a shock to poor old Sirius. We promptly purchased booties for him and he is adapting to them slowly (I think he is a little embarrassed). However, today it is -1 degrees and actually quite nice outdoors but the 3-4 feet of snow remains. Sirius went into the backyard and played fetch with his beloved tennis ball in all of that snow! Ready for the funny part? He missed a throw from Steve and the ball sunk about 3 feet in the soft snow. Poor Sirius! We thought we would find it in the spring thaw, but NOOOOOOOOo!!! Sirius buried his head and entire upper body at least 2 feet deep in the snow and retrieved the ball. He had snow up his nose, in his ears, all over his head and in his eyes! Tail wagging, he leaped like a jack rabbit through the snow drift and did laps around the yard as proud as can be with the frozen tennis ball in his mouth! Did I mention he is perfect!!!!! We just adore him. At night, Sirius gets tucked in (under the covers) in Hannah's Disney princess decorated bed. He has his own pillow and his favorite girl by his side always! We are so thankful to everyone at 4 Paws for this amazing opportunity. Sirius is a dream come true for our entire family. He has to do 6 hours of public access testing with our Alberta Government tomorrow (half at the school and half at the Walmart and a local pet store), but we know he will dazzle them all. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for this wonderful gift. You will be forever in our hearts. Sirius is such a blessing. With love and warm wishes for a happy healthy Christmas season, Carolyn, Steve, Kalen, Connor, Hannah Rae, and Sirius Ellefson (aka the Avalanche Rescue Super Dog) September 29,2009 Just had to share! Zachary had his speech therapy this evening. We took Duke with us. After therapy, Zachary was showing the therapist some tricks that Duke does. When we were leaving, Zachary told the therapist, "See you next week" and "Goodbye". She remarked that it was the first time he had used social language with her on his own, without a prompt. This is one of his goals and the reason why he's going to speech privately, in addition to school-based speech therapy - to learn those pragmatic skills.
Cody's school loves PollyAugust 18, 2009. Just a quick note. Polly, Cody and I went to the school today to train the teachers that Cody will have this coming year. Polly was a ham as usual, she did everything perfectly you would have thought she was a robot. All of the teachers that work with Cody we in awe, they couldn't believe that she was so good with him. The coolest thing was when we got there waiting for everyone who needed to see what was going on, Cody had a very small seizure. Polly was right there doing her thing, and once it was all over and he was back to normal, she went back to her place and lay back down. Their questions, I believe, were all answered at that time. What a better way that to have them see her in action. So needless to say they can't wait for her to come an join the class and be part of the education team. They may all learn a thing or two from Polly this year...Ronda, mom of Cody and Polly, June 2009 Class.
Service dogs calm their children tremendously when they have hospital visits, and Shenandoah is no exception. Shenandoah really helps keep Kira calm for blood draws and IV insertions. More on Kira and Shenandoah!
|
If you in any way donated time, money, mushed dogs, bid in the auction, did a news story, donated items, fostered a dog, trained, or helped us in any way with obtaining our service dog Juke, please know:
December 18, 2010 Update by Matthew Powell's mother. Just wanted to send you some pictures of Matthew and Basil so you can see what Basil has done for Matthew. He is out of his wheelchair now, thanks to you and Basil. 
September 7, 2010. Sarah got a letter today: 
May 22, 2010 We were in the October 2009 class, my daughter Riley is paired with Jingle, an autism service dog. Riley is almost ten and has Asperger's and severe anxiety. Riley ran away yesterday, during a clay sculpture class. She ran screaming down a long narrow hallway that led to several places. I followed with Jingle on the leash, but we weren't quick enough. Riley took a corner and disappeared.
August 18, 2009. Wanted to let you guys know what a blessing Keeper is to Paul every day. 
June 2009 graduate Cody Ross and his seizure service dog, Polly have stories to tell. 
Kira and her family live in the Pacific Northwest, and she couldn't wait to meet Shenandoah; she knew what the dog looked like ahead of time, and went right to her crate when they arrived at the 4 Paws facility in Ohio for training.