Will You Help Make A Dream Come True?

The disorders listed here don't begin to cover the emotions and issues threatening families of children with disabilities. The children shown below (and their families) seek your help in a project that will replace bleakness and despair with hope and vitality. Perhaps you can find a way to help make some dreams come true. We are a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible.

Josh Woosley :: David Nahodil :: Zachary Findall :: JC Bowen :: Corey Compton :: Becca Tally
Brady Hirsch :: Linnea & Leif Brendtro :: Michael Ewing :: Dillon Neeley :: Owen & Annabelle Luschei
Matthew Shatterly :: Curtis Cottengim :: Anthony Granato :: Skyler Kratz :: Ruben Spice :: Isaac Egan
Jude Bell :: Whit :: Alexander Tryon :: Devyn Emmons ::Chandler Kellerhuis :: Dylan & Casey Hung :: Chris Wallrauch
Logan Bondarewicz :: Woody Sorrell :: Dawsyn Harke :: Cassandra Tillman :: Andrew Johnson :: Caitlin Wentzel
Benjamin Shawa :: Sierra Bland

Overwhelmed Sierra needs calming, loving, tracking service dog

Sierra Bland is 10 years old. In her 10 years she has endured more medical tests, procedures and hospitalizations than most people do in a lifetime. She can tell you in detail how to start an IV, replace her colostomy bag, or what needs to be done prior to surgery.

The most amazing thing about this little girl, however, is not her knowledge of medical details, or her unbelievable bravery, it is her joy.

Sierra has suffered from various medical conditions since birth. Although a cause for her conditions has never been determined, her symptoms have progressed over the years. She has been admitted to the hospital 12 times over the last 18 months and has had 2 recent surgeries due to a severe motility disorder.

Sierra suffers from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of her medical issues and is now sedated for many simple procedures.

Developmentally, she is globally delayed and has diagnoses that include severe ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder and PDD-NOS. When upset or overwhelmed, Sierra will have meltdowns, or pull out her nails or hair.

She is often unaware of common dangers due to her inattention. Sierra is sometimes discouraged by her differences, and social situations can become frustrating for her. Various medications have been tried but have been unsuccessful.

At the recommendation of Sierra’s doctors, she was considered for a service dog. A Service Dog will:

• Provide Sierra with the comfort and calm she needs when encountering a stressful situation. The dog can accompany her to the hospital, doctor appointments, even school.
• Interrupt unwanted behaviors and help stop meltdowns before they begin.
• Be trained to tether to Sierra so she can be safe in large public places when she is too inattentive to be safe.

These dogs have been proven to bring independence and confidence to the children that need it most.

The Ohio-based non-profit agency 4 Paws For Ability accepted Sierra’s application and her family is now partnering with them to raise the $11,000 it takes to train a dog in the skills that would best suit Sierra.

Would you consider helping 4 Paws to provide Sierra with her canine companion? For more information about this wonderful agency please visit 4pawsforability.org.

Heart defects and Asperger's fail to slow down rambunctious Benjamin!

Written by Benjamin's father. Benjamin Shawa is a special five-year-old who has high functioning autism, or sometimes known as Asperger's. Benjamin has had a rough go in his short life.

Benjamin was born with 3 major heart defects. When he was a week old he had open-heart surgery to correct two of his heart defects. Two years later he had to have another heart surgery to correct the third heart defect.

The next day after coming home from his second heart surgery his little sister came into the world and changed his life again.

Little did we understand or know that Benjamin had Asperger's. After some help from our friends who saw peculiar traits that Benjamin had, we were able to have him tested.

Benjamin is a very active little boy and sometimes just needs some help calming down. This is a hard task since he is our BIG little boy. He weighs about 60 lbs!

Let us explain the picture of the children in the dog crate. Last year we rescued a golden lab named Jack from the shelter in Tupelo, MS. He was an amazing dog and Benjamin and Emily adore him.

Our family needed to move in with some friends temporarily, and we gave Jack to a wonderful family that enjoys him as their own. The kids continuously call dogs Jack and even name their stuffed animals Jack! We are hoping that our 4 Paws dog may be a golden lab and they may be able to call him Jack. We know that may not come to fruition, but we can still pray specifically, right?

A service dog would be a great help for Benjamin in helping with his outbursts of energy and his rambunctious behavior. It is hard for my wife to handle him sometimes, and especially when we are in the public, it is hard to control him.

Benjamin also has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder. This is where his senses are heightened and he has a hard time with loud noises and bright lights. A service dog would also help him deal with these problems.

He also has a little problem of running!! The problem is he likes to run out of the car and into the parking lot when we go to the store. The dog would be great to help him slow down and be more aware of what is going on.

When we heard about 4 Paws we were so excited! We finally could get some help. It was such a relief to know that one day Benjamin would have a special friend to sleep with him and keep him company.

This organization is amazing! If you could help Benjamin get this special friend that could help him, please donate to "4 Paws for Ability"” and write "in honor of Benjamin Shawa" on the check.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, love and support!

Chris haunted by sensory overload, sleepwalking, and poor social interaction

Written by Beverly Wallrauch. Chris Wallrauch is an incredible eight-year-old boy with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Although he is very bright and loves to be silly, very few know it because he has such a hard time interacting with people. He has managed to capture the hearts of the few people who know him well, such as his teachers, occupational therapists and the staff at his school. He is curious, full of ideas and kind to a fault. He has a strong sense of right and wrong and truly cares about others. He also has a deep understanding of the beautiful and the important things in life. It's so deep that it's hard to explain. He has an amazing scope of knowledge!

But this isn't the Chris that most people see. Most people see a boy who won't make eye contact or respond to a hello or goodbye. If he does talk it may be lines from a movie, or a random phrase completely out of context. Of course the other kids don't know how to respond and may laugh at him and adults may comment or feel rebuffed. If children do say "Hi" or ask him to play, he usually won't answer or will mumble "No" out of fear. If there are more than two or three people nearby he will run and hide, refusing to come out.

If we are in a crowded or noisy place he may "head butt" me, pinch me, rock or make inappropriate noises. He may lash out and hit if he is extremely stressed. He sometimes hurts himself and frequently calls himself stupid. When he is in sensory overload he is oblivious to the dangers of crossing streets and runs out in front of cars. There have been several very close calls. He has run ahead in crowds and nearly gotten lost several times. He also has extreme auditory sensitivity.

The usual transitions in life are hard for our son: anything out of the routine, even taking a different way home, can set him off. At about four he began to have some serious anxiety issues and it became very hard to leave our home for any kind of family outing. Anyplace different, even just a restaurant would send him into a panic. Pretty much everything that other kids seem to love is a source of fear and anxiety for Chris. Birthday parties are nightmares. School functions are out of the question, and even going to church has become draining. Sometimes at home he doesn't even want me to go upstairs or downstairs without him. He gets anxious at bedtime if I can't sit with him until he falls asleep. Sometimes he sleepwalks and frequently gets up in the middle of the night, needing one of us to stay with him while he falls asleep.

School has been hard for him as well. Academically he does well if on medication and with an aide, but social gatherings or changes in routine are still very difficult. He did have to leave one school when the staff became worried that he would hurt himself since crashing into the concrete walls was Chris' way of coping with sensory overload. The staff at our rural public school have embraced him and his disability, helping him in any way they are able to, but socially Chris is still struggling, and as his peers interact with each other their social skills are building while his remain behind.

The gap is getting wider each day that he cannot participate with them and the differences are obvious. He rarely goes out for recess.

Then by accident (or divine intervention, I like to think) the idea of a service dog "found us." After Chris got up the nerve to attend and completed a short Saturday pet care class I thought it might help if he could volunteer somewhere to work with animals. Even though it was hard for him to participate, this class was one of the few social activities he could muster the courage to attend and we wanted to keep the momentum going. Then I saw an advertisement for help needed at a local service dog training facility. Before we went there, I sent an email telling them about Chris and what to expect when we got there. I didn't want them to immediately assume he was "bad" if he got over stimulated and out of control. I desperately wanted this to be a good experience for him. It was - and then some!

As a result of a mix up (they thought I was there to see about getting a dog) I was introduced to a volunteer who had a son with autism that was greatly helped by his service dog. She told me about all the ways that these dogs could help kids like Chris. I had no idea! While we talked Chris was introduced to a service dog in training, a 'smiling' dog named Tuck. Chris immediately felt more confident and came out of himself just enough to give the dog a few commands. Tuck's eagerness to please and quick response seemed to empower Chris.

Tuck was one of those dogs that simply oozed "joy"! After playing with the dog for awhile my son looked up at me smiling and whispered "I LOVE this place!" I thought I would cry right then and there. For those fleeting minutes Chris looked just like any other boy playing with a dog, caught up in the moment, oblivious to the noise and the people. No hiding, no head butting. The fact that he was able to express his current emotion was also no small thing. After we left an hour later my son wanted to know when we could go back! It was nothing short of amazing. I knew then that this was exactly what Chris needed and I couldn't wait to tell my husband about it!

Although we were unhappy to hear that this organization didn't provide autism service dogs, or service dogs to children under 10, it did start us on our journey. It wasn't long before I found 4 Paws for Ability and did some research. I asked Chris' doctor, psychiatrist, OT and teachers if they thought it would help and if they would provide references. It was a unanimous "Yes"!

We are now working with 4 Paws, a nonprofit, 501c3 organization whose mission is to place quality service dogs. To date they have placed over 400 service dogs with the majority being for autism assistance. We particularly liked the fact that many of these dogs come from shelters and rescue groups. As explained by 4 Paws, these dogs "create a consistency in the child's life as their dogs go everywhere that they go, even within places of public accommodation, and the educational system bringing along with them: consistency, stability, and calm reassurance that the feelings of anxiety or fear are not needed because the trusted buddy is by their side."

I know that once Chris gets his special dog that his horizons will broaden.

• He will talk to children that he may not have had to courage to interact with because he will have the security of his buddy as well as the perfect conversation starter!
• He will have a friend that can hold him back before he darts into traffic without the embarrassment of Mom hanging on to him.
• He will feel more comfortable in places that may have seemed too much because his dog will watch for increasing anxiety and respond with comforting pressure or nuzzles.
• He even will have to interact more at home when working with his dog.
• At family get-togethers he will have a furry friend to hang with while Mom and Dad talk to others, and this friend can help him interact.
• He will have a strong buddy to stay with him and help him feel safe at night.

We know that Chris has the ability to do a lot of good things when he grows up but it won't happen if he isn't able to get out and gain the basic social skills he needs. We also worry about high risk of depression and suicide in teenagers with Asperger's since they often become isolated or frequent victims of bullying. These are all things that having a service dog can help him with.

The best thing is that this dog will not only help Chris but many others in his world. It will help us be able to go out and do things as a family again. It will even bring joy to other children when they get a chance to know a really awesome kid, Asperger's and all. Maybe they will get to see the side of him that we see; the real Chris. And who knows, maybe more people will come to understand autism and Asperger's a little better too. All because of one special dog.

For more info about Chris and Asperger's Syndrome please visit: http://www.AserviceDog4Chris.org or http://www.4pawsforability.org.

If you would like to help Chris get his "helping paw," please donate to 4 Paws for Ability in his name: Chris Wallrauch. It will be appreciated more than words can say! Beverly, Ken and Chris Wallrauch

Becca the Beautiful: an Ultimate Survivor Needs Assistance

Written by Nancy Tally. Becca Tally's life can be summed up in the word traumatic. If Becca's life had been different I believe she would currently be standing right beside Elizabeth, her twin sister, in the ranks of the US Air Force.

But Becca's energy since infancy has been consumed in different kinds of life-threatening battles.

The battle of being premature; battles against proteus spinal meningitis, encephalitis, hydrocephalus, seizure disorder, pertussis, misdiagnosis due to human arrogance and indifference, invasive procedures, medication side effects, asthma, allergies, and public school administrators with "hidden agendas." Later battles consisted of years of no services and no placement then an ischemic stroke destroyed the right side of her brain.

Early childhood was tortuous consisting of intervention classes, therapy and doctor appointments punctuated by regular twelve-hour visits in the E.R. for multi hour-long seizures, leaving us both drained for days afterward. Adolescence saw the seizures worsen; five years of experiencing a 2.5 hour grand mal seizure every twenty eight days. Daily petit mals numbered in the hundreds. Unfortunately for us those days were well before Karen started 4 Paws, before seizure alert dogs were understood.

Now twenty six, Becca has watched everyone she knew: sibs, friends, neighbors grow up and move on with their lives. The most heart-wrenching times for me are when she verbalizes her awareness of what she does not have. The times when Becca would cry at the door after her sister left, saying, "I want to be Beth, I want to be Beth."

This is a young woman who has long needed a companion, a treasure, whose stay would not be as brief as all the other wonderful people who have passed through her life.

Becca has always been resistant to transitioning from one activity to another. If we do not set the right hook before trying to get her to do something else, she frequently becomes combative. Not a problem if we are both home as she is easily distractible. But if only one person is here, problems arise because when she is focused on getting you, she is not open to the distractions you present.

We need that treasured companion. A small behavior mod intervention from a 4 Paws dog will remove the potential of the caregiver being physically harmed by calming Becca and alleviating unnecessary stress from Becca's life.

Becca's dog will be trained to track. Becca can move very quickly on flat ground. On one side of our home there is a town house complex full of nooks and crannies to walk into and plenty of car traffic. Across the street is a forest preserve complete with lakes. I cannot tell you the panic I feel on those occasions when she escapes and is out of view before I get out the door. Which way do I go first? Which way did she go?

A mall escape is even scarier. She's only four foot ten inches, and if you blink or look at a display for fifteen seconds she can disappear amidst the racks. Her dog would also be used to tether her to me so I could actually stop and look at an item without her vanishing. She could actually come with me instead of being left behind at home where she feels excluded once again. I have stopped taking her out with me because she has disappeared for forty-five minutes at a clip in the mall. My heart can't take that anymore.

Our lives are based on trust. Becca trusts us to meet her needs and to protect her, and her service dog will trust her to meet their needs (room to grow in responsibility) and as we trust God to meet ours.

It is time for Becca to have a best friend and the improved life a service dog can provide. It is past time to have help identifying devastating nighttime seizures. It is time to be alerted to the quiet devastating seizures, to be able to obtain middle of the night medical intervention as needed.

Becca has triumphed. My little warrior has fought her battles undeterred by severe wounds and insurmountable obstacles. She has emerged victorious. These photos have all been taken since her stroke. As you can see she delights to be on the go despite her troublesome left side.

If you are interested in learning more about Becca's battles, go to her website. We will also share the fun parts of Becca's life. The camps she loves, the programs she enjoys, her delight of music and the groups she belongs to.

If you wish to help her now, send your tax deductible check to 4 Paws for Ability with her name, Rebecca Tally, in the memo line. And if you want to email her, the address is becca@beccasdream.org

Isaac Egan battles anxiety

Written by Melodie Robinson. When my son, Isaac Egan, was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of high-functioning autism) and Attention Deficit Disorder a year ago, the daily struggles we faced with him finally began to make sense.

Isaac deals with paralyzing anxiety and an inability to adjust to change.

Last year, when most children were excited about transitioning from school into summer, he was so overwhelmed, he couldn't eat for three weeks.

He also has a tendency to become obsessed with a subject, and will rattle off every fact he's memorized even as his audience is scowling or walking away.

Part of Asperger's Syndrome is the inability to read social clues. He has no idea why other children don't want to play with him. Adding to this problem, he will rock gently or make noises when he's in a situation he isn't prepared for.

When his sensory system becomes overloaded, by loud noises or unfamiliar touch, he will scream and sob uncontrollably.

Unfortunately these behaviors only further the rejection by his peers, and make him vulnerable to bullying. Thankfully, these are the symptoms that are addressed by Autism Service Dogs.

Having a loving and loyal companion will improve Isaac's quality of life immensely; and maybe having a side-kick will help him gain back some of the confidence he's lost. The dog will be able to help disrupt self-stimming behaviors like making loud noises or rocking, by putting a paw or a laying furry head on him.

I pray that the calming effect of the dog will help Isaac sleep, and the persistent dark circles under his eyes will finally disappear. We are so excited at the thought of watching Isaac learn and grow with his new best friend.

If you would like to help Isaac reach his fundraising goal please make a donation in his honor. Thanks!

Sweet, lonely Caitlin needs special service dog

Caitlin Wentzel is a six-year-old girl diagnosed with a genetic disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a disease that affects the collagen in her bones and causes her bones to break with little or no trauma. She walks very short distances with the assistance of a walker and uses a wheelchair most of the time.

In the past 4 years, Caitlin has sustained 8 fractures to various bones in her legs. The pain is no less for her than for anyone else who breaks a bone. Her mobility is greatly affected by this terrible disease. The disease is progressive and Cait finds that everyday things that she could once do, she is no longer able to do.

Caitlin is our only child and we live in Normal, Illinois. Cait absolutely loves people and wants to have relationships with children her own age. Due to her OI, Caitlin cannot safely play among her peers and requires constant assistance and supervision. She is a very positive little girl that never complains about pain. However, she is afraid of so many things - all for fear that she may break a bone. Cait has had very sad moments and is extremely lonely. You can help!

4 PAWS FOR ABILITY is a wonderful program. It is an organization that provides service dogs for children and adults who have special needs.

Cait's dog will help her remain calm and courageous during times of pain and her monthly medical visits to St. Louis Children's Hospital. 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY will train her dog specifically for her needs: retrieving items, opening doors and drawers, providing balance - all things that will give Cait a greater sense of independence and freedom.

Above all, her new friend will provide her with love, security and friendship. Her peers will notice her dog, not her wheelchair or walker.

4 PAWS FOR ABILITY is an amazing non-profit organization training dogs to help people with disabilities. We are thankful for this organization and our family is so grateful for your support!

When donating to 4 Paws in honor of Caitlin Wentzel, you will help grant a wish come true for our family. Please make checks out to 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY and be sure to write "in honor of Caitlin Wentzel" on the memo portion of the check. This is a great cause and your donation is tax deductible!

Andrew Johnson is a non-verbal six-year-old with autism. He was born with a left sided arachnoid cyst. He attends our local public elementary school. With the assistance of a device called Dynavox, he is able to spend one quarter of his school day in a typical kindergarten classroom.

He is very smart, however he doesn't have a sense of fear. Andrew doesn't know to wait for a car coming, or not to run off. He is an "escape artist." Even though we have multiple locks on our home doors, he still manages to get out.

A service dog will provide added safety for Andrew. It will also provide a companionship that he lacks with other children. With a service dog, we will be able to go out in public as a family.

As parents we would love to be able to give him a bit more independence as a typical six-year-old would have, without jeopardizing his safety.

Cassandra Tillman (or Cassie to her family) is a beautiful three-month-old girl. Unknown as to exactly what occurred, Cassie went into distress and suffered trauma at birth. Cassie spent the first two weeks of her life on a ventilator, and the next four as well in Children's Hospital in Little Rock. Upon leaving the hospital, it was known that she suffered from Seizure Disorder and Temperature Instability. She was home only two weeks before one of these conditions sent her back to Children's for an additional week. Shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as well.

Cassie is a fighter, already proving hospital staff wrong in her progress. Doctors worried that she would not be able to breathe without the ventilator, but she did. Doctors said that she may not be able to learn to coordinate her movements and learn to eat, but she did. While Cassie has overcome so much, she still has a long road ahead.

Cassie is unable to regulate her body temperature as effectively as most people do. Her regular body temperature is only in the 96’s. When she is not feeling well it begins to drop, and she has to be warmed back up. She has been hospitalized for dropping to 93 degrees. Just as she drops, getting upset and having a tantrum as most babies do, can cause Cassie to run a temperature, and if not monitored can become dangerously high. There is nothing that can be done to help this condition, only careful monitoring by the family.

Cassie’s seizures are also tricky. She does not exhibit any outward signs, and her seizures can only be seen by medical monitoring such as an EEG. Cassie has to take a daily medication to ensure that they are controlled. Cassie’s Cerebral Palsy is what may limit or slow her development the most. Cerebral Palsy is a condition that affects her muscles. It can cause increased tightness, looseness, spasms, or tremors. This will be Cassie’s biggest battle. She also takes medication daily for this.

Cassie’s service dog will be able to assist her in many areas but especially with the Cerebral Palsy. The dog will be able to assist in opening doors, retrieving dropped items and a variety of other things to help her when a parent can’t jump at just that moment or just to give her that added independence as she gets older. Her dog will also be able to attend her therapies and help out. She can stretch and work her hands by petting him, or exercise her arms by reaching for him, her legs by trying to follow him when she is able. And one of the most important things to me as her mother is the behavior modification, he can help soothe her.

Over the next few years of hospital stays, therapies, being stuck at home due to a bad temperature day or a variety of other things, Cassie will begin to get frustrated. As much as I don’t want to think that I as her mother won’t be able to help, there will be times when she will be angry or frustrated with me for pushing her. She may be scared or lonely. Her dog can accompany her to doctor appointments, hospital stays, anything. He will be able to be her friend to help calm and soothe her, when maybe I can’t.

And at some point the may be able to help her make some more friends. Cassie’s medical conditions make her different which may cause children to avoid her; a furry companion would change that instantly, perhaps helping her to blossom socially in a way that would otherwise not be possible.

It may seem silly to be worrying about all of this now while she is only three months old, but the process of getting a service dog is not a quick one. First you must apply and be accepted, then fundraise the money, then wait while a dog is found and trained, then go through training yourself, and finally your dog comes home. In order for Cassie to have her dog when she needs him, we must start now.

Finally, but by no means least importantly, the dog will do what any other dog might do — love and be loved, loyally and unconditionally. Many agencies have long waiting lists with a wait of up to five years, but 4 Paws reduces that waiting time, by having the parents work with them to fundraise the up to $13,000 needed to cover the cost of providing a trained dog.

In regard to your tax-free donation, be sure to note on the memo line of your check or in the special instructions box for credit cards, "In Honor of Cassandra Tillman."

Contact: Caliese Collier
Tel: 479-747-0953
Email: caliese2005@yahoo.com

Seizure Alert Assistance Dogs Offer Independence, Safety

Written by Marvel McAmmond

Didsbury, Alberta, Canada – May 5, 2009  Seven-year-old Dawsyn Harke of Didsbury, Alberta has a rare form of Epilepsy called Dravet’s Syndrome. The seizures Dawsyn endures, often many per day, have caused a variety of developmental delays that make her life challenging. Dawsyn has very little awareness of personal safety. She has no concept of the danger of traffic, deep water, or the ill intentions of a stranger. She also has a fascination with water and a tendency to be an "escape artist," and generally does not respond to her parent’s calls. Combine these traits and you have a recipe for disaster!

Dawsyn has been given the opportunity to receive a Seizure Alert Assistance dog from 4 Paws for Ability. This seizure assistance dog will be Dawsyn’s companion and will be specifically trained to alert her parents when she has a seizure. Currently, Dawsyn’s parents have to provide constant supervision. Having an Assistance Dog will greatly enhance Dawsyn’s independence by allowing her to play in her yard or her bedroom without being shadowed by an adult. The dog will also sleep with Dawsyn and alert her parents of night-time seizures which will enable Dawsyn to return to her own bedroom instead of sleeping with her parents.

An important facet of the dog’s training will be the ability to track. If Dawsyn were to find an opportunity to wander off out of her parents’ sight, the dog will quickly follow her trail and lead her parents to her, even if she has been missing for quite a while.

The dog will also be trained to comfort Dawsyn, help her calm herself when she is frustrated and discourage her from dangerous activities. It will also act as a "social magnet," making it easier for other children to approach Dawsyn and make friends. Dawsyn’s developmental delays and premature behaviors tend to cause other children to avoid her rather than seeking her out; a furry companion would change that instantly, perhaps helping her to blossom socially in ways that would otherwise not be possible.

Finally, but by no means least importantly, the dog will do what any other dog might do — love and be loved, loyally and unconditionally.

4 Paws for Ability is one of only a handful of organizations that will even place a dog with such a young child. Many agencies will not place service dogs with children or in homes where there are other pets; 4 Paws has no eligibility requirements beyond a physician’s statement that the person requesting a service dog has a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Many trainers have long waiting lists with a wait of up to five years, but 4 Paws reduces that waiting time by having the parents work with them to fundraise the up to $13,000 US needed to cover the cost of the extensive training. Their website states: "We felt that there were many, very capable people with disabilities and their friends and families, who would rather spend time helping us fundraise so they could then get a dog, than to sit on a 2-5 year waiting list for a ‘free’ one."

4 Paws for Ability is a recognized leader in training assistance dogs, and pioneered training assistance dogs with tracking ability. 4 Paws trains a variety of assistance dogs, including (but not limited to) seizure assistance, mobility assistance, hearing ear, and autism assistance dogs. As of January 30, 2009, over 400 teams have graduated from 4 Paws.

As with most of 4 Paws’ animals, Dawsyn’s dog will probably be rescued from a shelter. Approximately 50 percent of their dogs come from shelters. Some of them have been saved only days before they were scheduled to be put down, and have gone on to transform the lives of the children with whom they have been placed. 4 Paws uses any dog that can pass the medical, physical, obedience and training requirements, regardless of breed. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship — 4 Paws will be bringing freedom and independence to a dog in need, and the dog in turn will bring freedom and independence to Dawsyn.

The 4 Paws website states: "We have discovered a magic that exists between children and dogs, a magic that can become a life-saving miracle for a child paired with one of our assistance dogs."

To find out more about Dawsyn’s journey, visit www.doodlebugdawsyn.blogspot.com

For more information on 4 Paws for Ability, go to 4 Paws for Ability

Contact: Marvel McAmmond
Email: marvelmc@telus.net
Webpage: www.doodlebugdawsyn.blogspot.com

A Dog for Woody

Written by Patty Sorrell

Thank you for visiting the 4PawsForAbility website. The children and parents on this site are wonderful and we thank you for considering a donation to this worthy cause.

My son, Woody was diagnosed on the autism spectrum at the age of 2. Until then, Woody had been developing typically. He would laugh and play. He could kick a ball at a target. He had three-word phrases. In all ways, he was a typical little boy and we were on our way to a typical life—two kids, a dog, and the hectic routines of family and work.

Then something started to change for Woody. He stopped looking at us. His multiple-word utterances evaporated into just a very few single words. He started repetitive behavior, like throwing a toy up in the air to watch it fall, or moving things around the room a few feet at the time endlessly.

We were terrified. We didn’t understand anything about autism then.

Even before a final diagnosis, we assembled measures to get help on the way. In the past three years Woody has attended occupational therapy, speech therapy, 1/1 behavioral therapy, swimming therapy, dance therapy, and horseback riding therapy. He responds positively to all of these therapies.

He particularly loves any therapy outside. But that brings the danger of running into streets, running away, or falling into water.

When our dog passed away last summer we decided it was time for us to consider a service dog—one who could help Woody navigate his complex world. A dog who could help disrupt some of Woody’s repetitive behavior. A companion who could help Woody stay safe outdoors while Woody is enjoying being a child and learning as much as he can about the world.

Thank you for considering a donation to 4 Paws For Ability. And thank you for considering helping Woody find a friend.

Logan Bondarewicz

It has been quite the roller coaster ride for the Bondarewicz family. Logan was born in October 2002 and has been misdiagnosed from the most basic to the more complex situations.

Logan has been seeing some kind of doctor or therapist on a weekly basis his entire life. At 10 months of age Logan became very ill. This was extremely scary due to Logan basically in a "sleep coma" for 5 days. We took him to the doctor every day and finally they referred us to Children's Hospital where they told us he had viral meningitis which was very serious.

Fortunately, Logan recovered pretty well from this illness but this was the beginning of his ear problems. Since the age of 10 months, Logan has received 7 sets of ear tubes due to infections.

From an early age, Logan showed signs of delay. We were told his delays were from the viral meningitis and he would eventually catch up to his peers. We were so hopeful in the doctors telling us Logan would be fine because we certainly did not want anything serious to be wrong with Logan.

As time went on, Logan's speech, developmental delay, and behavioral issues became much more apparent. Logan's occupational therapist suggested we have genetic testing performed. After waiting six months to get in for the testing and another two months for the results we found out that Logan has a rare genetic disorder called Smith-Magenis Syndrome (SMS). Obviously, it was tragic getting the news.

Smith-Magenis Syndrome results in developmental delay and serious behavioral issues. It is a challenge every day having a child with Smith-Magenis Syndrome. Logan has been through so much for a young child.

Despite Logan having all his struggles he is such an amazing little boy with great compassion and a wonderful sense of humor. He has a deep love for animals, especially dogs, which bring him so much happiness and peace. This is why we are working on raising money for 4 Paws For Ability in order to qualify to receive a multi-purpose service dog.

In addition to Logan's delays and behavioral problems, he has sensory integration. 4 Paws For Ability will train the dog to lie on Logan's lap to provide deep pressure to help calm his system down, which is just one of the many things the dog will be trained to do. Most importantly, Logan will have a companion who will love him for him.

4 Paws For Ability is an amazing non-profit organization training dogs to help people with disabilities. I am so thankful for this organization.
When donating to 4 Paws in honor of Logan Bondarewicz you will help grant a wish come true for our family. Please make checks out to 4 Paws For Ability and be sure to write "in honor of Logan Bondarewicz" on the memo portion of the check. This is a great cause and your donation is tax deductible!

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! The Bondarewicz Family

Russellville Family Seeks Four-Legged Solution

No offense to cat lovers out there, but this Russellville Family needs some help that only a furry canine can fulfill, and they need YOUR help also!

Jason and Dea Shatterly of Russellville, are raising funds for 4 Paws for Ability in honor of their son Matthew to qualify to receive an Autism Assistance Service Dog. 4 Paws for Ability is a non-profit organization specializing in training and placement of service dogs for disabled children.

Ten-year-old Matthew Shatterly has faced many challenges in his life. He has developmental delays and High-Functioning Autism. Children with Autism tend to wander away, and they are unaware of environmental dangers such as traffic, bodies of water, or the ill-intentions of a stranger.

Matthew needs a strong companion at his side EVERY DAY who is trained to provide the special assistance he needs. In addition to providing constant companionship and unwavering friendship, these 4-legged wonders are specially trained in tethering and tracking (i.e., search and rescue).

Matthew lacks the social skills other children his age come by naturally. A service dog can help with this.

Based in Xenia, OH, 4 Paws for Ability strives to provide service dogs to families and children who struggle with life's daily challenges and who would otherwise be turned away by many other agencies. 4 Paws trains a variety of assistance dogs, included but not limited to: seizure assistance, mobility assistance, hearing ear dogs, and autism assistance dogs. Some of the dogs even serve a little time in the Rover Prison Rehab Program as a stepping stone to becoming a certified service dog.

"We have discovered a magic that exists between children and dogs, a magic that can become a life-saving miracle for a child paired with one of our Autism Assistance Dogs," states the 4 Paws website, www.4pawsforability.org.

You can help bring some magic to Matthew's life by making a tax-deductible donation to 4 Paws for Ability. Please indicate on your check's memo line that it is "in honor of Matthew Shatterly."

For additional information, please contact Jason or Dea Shatterly at (479) 280-0452 or e mail them at hoggirl@gmail.com.

To contact 4 Paws directly, call, (937) 374-0385 or visit their website at www.4pawsforability.org.

Hi. My name is Zachary Findall. I am a warm-hearted typical active 6-year-old boy who enjoys swimming, drawing, and playing trains with my two little brothers. The difference between my peers and myself is that I am extremely sensitive to loud sounds, sights, and touch.

If I'm out in public when one of these meltdowns occurs, I feel the need to run away, which scares my family. Sometimes I lash out when I'm frustrated and unable to find the words to express my feelings. Most of the time I have trouble sleeping alone and need to feel the safety and comfort of my mom or dad.

I am extremely curious which is why we have extra locks on the doors so that I can't wander off and explore alone. I realize I am different in many ways but my mom reminds me that it's okay because everyone's different. My parents are so proud of me and the progress that I have made; I just need some extra help. An autism service dog will give us that help adding support, security, and unconditional friendship, which will help me on so many levels.

4 Paws for Ability have approved my application to receive an autism service dog. 4 Paws for Ability is a non-profit (501c3) organization taking the 'dis' out of disability by providing trained service dogs with people in need. My service dog will be trained in behavior modification, tethering, and tracking which will help me feel calm and connected, while helping my family feel more secure.

My Daddy is in the Navy and out to sea a lot so having a companion to keep me safe helps him to sleep better when away from us. 4 Paws for Ability will train a service dog to fit my needs and the needs of my family. My dog will also help to expand my social and emotional skills while giving me responsibility and independence.

With your help, I can receive a service dog within 9-12 months after our fundraising is complete, unlike other agencies that would put us on a 5-year waiting list. 4 Paws for Ability asks us to work with them in the fundraising process as a volunteer to fundraise the cost of training one dog.

If you donate in honor of Zachary Findall you'll not only be supporting a wonderful organization but your tax-deductible donation will help us qualify to receive a service dog for Zachary. Make your checks payable to 4 Paws for Ability and please be sure to reference "In honor of Zachary Findall" in the memo portion of the check or in the special instructions box online at www.4pawsforability.org. My family and I are so grateful for your support.

Written by Cheryl Hung on behalf of Dylan and Casey Hung. For the longest time, we couldn't have kids (two miscarriages) five years of infertility treatment, acupuncture, and then six months later found out we were expecting!

Dylan was born nine days early at 6 lbs. 9 oz. Ultimate pride and joy! For 45 minutes he was stuck (the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice). Every time Mom pushed, his heart rate dropped, and eventually he had to be sucked out with a vacuum. Also, at a month old he developed an inguinal hernia and had to have surgery.

Dylan was generally a happy baby. He met all his milestones: sitting by four months, rolling over, crawling by seven months, and walking a couple days after his first birthday. By two, he was saying one-word phrases, could go through his A-Z book, tell you all the colors and names of the pictures, and say most of the alphabet.

For a while, he seemed prone to ear infections but had reactions to the antibiotics. We were able to narrow it down to one that worked with no side effects! When he turned three, we struggled to get him into a preschool (he was not potty trained), and we began to get concerned as little by little he seemed to be regressing.

By now we had to bring him to sit with us otherwise he could sit in the corner of the room and just play by himself with his video boxes which he would line up or push around like cars or a train. I had a gut feeling despite being constantly told things like, "He's just delayed, he'll catch up." Something was not quite right.

By three-and-a-half, Dylan started losing more and more of the already limited vocabulary he had, and on top of that we thought he was having a hearing problem: we'd call him over and over and he would not respond. He finally had a hearing test, and the results came back fine.

Then there became less and less eye contact; many times it was like he was looking right past/thru you. At a loss, we were told that he was a boy, that boys are usually slower, and he'd improve once he got into school. So, we just tried to shift and focus on getting him ready for kindergarten.

During this time, to our surprise, we found out we were expecting another baby. It was a happy surprise but also scary. Here we were, lost as to what was going on with Dylan, and now he was going to have a sibling.

At this time too, he slowed down his eating. But he still needed to use a certain kind of sippy bottle or he would literally not drink. In addition, he'd bolt, often running into the street or parking lot. We've had SO many frightful moments losing him. And, a few times he got lost at our local mall where security had to be called upon. I had to buy a stroller with a stand on/ sit on plate just so I could make sure he'd be close by. At four years old we tried to get him registered for kindergarten, but were told if he was not able to follow directions and go to the bathroom himself we should probably hold him back.

I was disappointed, and now with a new baby, taking Dylan to private preschool was not only costing money but it was becoming difficult to take him to school. I had to leave the baby in the car as I had to drag Dylan out of the car kicking and screaming to the gate, and when I got to the door, sometimes it took the staff 15-20 minutes to get him from me.

By now, exhausted with no extended family and two young ones to care for; everyday after I dropped Dylan off my heart ached more and more. Often, I would cry myself to sleep feeling like I was a horrible mom!

Sudden anxieties, in particular his extreme uneasiness to change, and just the daily routine of bathing had become so challenging. Meltdowns were constant. Frustrated and at wit's end with no answers from his doctor; I wrote to the school district explaining all our concerns including that Dylan shouldn't have to be held back just because he couldn't go to the bathroom and follow directions.

A couple of days later, the director of the district called to set up an appointment for a specialist to go to Dylan's preschool to evaluate him. Dylan had reached a peak and we found out that he was autistic, which we confirmed with a neurologist in 2007 at Stanford. It was a shock, and we went through the blame game, guilt etc. But, to this day we are ever so grateful to the school district for jumping in when they did and finally giving us an answer to our justified concerns!

Dylan has been in the SDC class in his school district for five years now. He has come a LONG way from where he was and the teachers have each nurtured his growth. But, as a fifth grader he is still far below the average and his comprehension is a tough challenge this year, with word problems in general. He has few friends, and can still get fixated on something he likes and be very repetitive. Other kids shy away and Dylan isn't too aware of socializing.

Now, Casey was a healthy baby at 8 lbs. 10.5 oz! He was always a happy baby, smiling, making eye contact. As we'd become a little more aware since Dylan's diagnosis, of course we watched with caution and he grew quickly and met all the milestones as well.

By two years, Casey was still not talking much (just jargon). We were fortunate, though, as Dylan's teachers and therapist were also keeping an eye on Casey's development, and when he turned three, their concern prompted approval for Casey to get into speech therapy.

The first year Casey had severe separation anxiety so they weren't able to do much. As soon as school got going again though Casey was immediately signed up 2x a week. Started off slow but by the third month he seemed happy and making progress and even got buddy up with another boy to widen socializing.

We thought Casey was just echoing Dylan at first. Then, after about the fifth month the therapist mentioned more repetitive jargon and behavior, and I mentioned at home sudden tantrums began to pop up more frequently. The red flag came up full throttle after I'd mentioned Casey having a meltdown while he would bang his head on the floor. And, of course hand flapping when extremely excited. So, he was re-evaluated and tested and in Jan. 2007 Casey was diagnosed with borderline autism. He has been one very lucky boy, and because of Dylan's teacher and staff he was able to get that window of opportunity that Dylan missed. He was put into a preschool socializing class 2x a week with speech therapy 2x and put into the SDC summer preschool class. This earlier intervention has made such a huge difference that Casey is blossoming so much more!

After our dog Tiffany passed away when Dylan was two, we knew one day we would like to have another dog. With both boys diagnosed with Autism it seemed a great thought to have a dog. Yet, just barely getting the boys potty trained and trying to fulfill and manage their needs (doctor and especially dental appointments where Dylan has to be sedated) are already a challenge.

Dylan had no memory of our dog, and after an unfortunate incident with friends' three BIG dogs he started to develop a sort of phobia of all dogs. But, we occasionally talked about it, and we continued making occasional attempts to keep exposing Dylan especially. He's skittish with our friends' dog but loves to play fetch with him every week after his piano lesson.

I'd heard about service dogs for autistic children and that's where our journey eventually led us to 4 Paws for Ability. Having no idea about service dogs; I looked into a handful of websites and after an infomercial on TV started emailing and looking into 4 Paws and a few other providers. The discouraging aspects to the other providers unfortunately was the very LONG waiting lists but most importantly, the dog could only be trained for one child. So, after another TV special aired I contacted Karen via email expressing my concerns.

After a year of delay and putting it off the final push came when Dylan (now 10) got lost at the great mall. He walked out of Dave & Busters and ended up halfway across the mall in the food court sitting in a coin operated car! I contacted Karen again about getting a service dog to be trained for both our sons and she told me we could!

And, we are now approved for placement for a 4 Paws autism service dog that is going to be trained specifically to meet Dylan and Casey's needs.

Written by April Kellerhuis. Hi everyone! Well, I guess I should start off by writing a little bit about our Chandler-man!

First, I must let you all know that I am NO Jenny McCarthy! You have been warned.

Chandler Kellerhuis is a 5-year-old, NON-verbal, AUTISTIC boy. It took awhile for doctors to finally diagnosis that Chandler has autism. This part of our story is quite frequently told by families with children that are autistic. His final diagnosis was delayed for quite some time by pediatricians and waiting lists! A few doctors even informed us we were just comparing Chandler with our older son, Allan. We took this advice for a short time because every child develops at a different pace and this made sense to us. Allan and Chandler are only 16 months apart, so we felt that maybe we were comparing.

One day, when Chandler was about two years old, I was washing the dishes while Chandler was playing with his trains on the kitchen floor. When I dropped a large pot on the floor, Chandler had no reaction to the very loud noise that even made me jump. I brought Ryan, my husband, in and showed him that Chandler had no reaction to loud noises. Little did we know at the time that he was in his own autistic world, playing with his trains.

At the time, I thought he might be hearing-impaired. That would explain his lack of speech as well. We were put on a long waiting list to get his hearing checked at a children’s hospital in Arizona, to find out his hearing was fantastic!

Upon observing Chandler’s mannerisms, the audiologist thought Chandler might have autism, but told us “not to look it up because it would just depress and freak us out.” The doctor told us that we needed to get on to another waiting list. This time it was for a pediatric neurologist. That wait took ten months. We knew we needed to do something for our Chandler-man in the meantime. The waiting list for occupational therapy was only four months until Chandler could receive his 30 minutes, once a week. Speech therapy would have been ideal but, the waiting list was ridiculous and extremely expensive.

We moved to Texas two months before we had our appointment with the pediatric neurologist. My husband and I were so excited when we found out the wait here in the great state of Texas was only three months!

When we brought Chandler in to see the specialist my husband and I already guessed (from research online and a few other avenues) that he was on the autistic spectrum somewhere but, just wasn’t sure where. We visited with the doctor for approximately ten minutes before he came to the brilliant conclusion, “well, looks like your son has AUTISM!”. That was it. Ryan and I had waited so long to know for sure. A weight had been lifted from our shoulders. Now, we can really begin to help Chandler.

So, like I said before, Chandler is a non-verbal, autistic, 5-year-old boy, and now that’s official!

Even though Chandler is considered non-verbal, he does verbalize a few words. Unfortunately, they all need to be prompted. In time, I know this vocabulary will grow. With a limited vocabulary comes a very limited amount of social skills. This makes communicating extremely difficult in social situations and he doesn't make friends like his typical peers. It’s like he is stuck, some of the time, in his own autistic world. New people, places, textures, sounds, smells and tastes can be overwhelming for him. Any of these variances could trigger one of “The Meltdowns”. Which, depending on the time of the day, is a tantrum that can be very difficult to contain.

Chandler also has lack of fear. We believe that he is not aware of danger and consequences like others perceive it. Fire, strangers, moving cars, water, or even heights have no effect on him. Chandler is the next generation Houdini! The locks on our front, back and garage doors would indicate we live New York, not Royse City, Tx. On a few occasions, our neighbors have called to let us know that Chandler is currently jumping the fence. My husband has had to re-design the inside of our fence several times with plywood to make it Chandler-friendly. Chandler doesn’t sense danger; he thinks that it is a game. That scares us immensely.

Fortunately my husband and I came across 4 Paws for Ability. It seemed to be the right move for our Chandler. There are only a few of these organizations across the country, offering service dogs specifically for children with their individual needs on the spectrum. Most organizations that train these dogs have a waiting list of four years or more. At this time Chandler has been accepted!!

Ryan and I are so excited!! 4 Paws for Ability (4pawsforability.org) is a non-profit organization (501c3) that will specifically train Chandler’s dog to match all his needs. The total cost for this specific kind service dog is $13,000.

We need to fundraise $13,000 for 4 Paws for Ability to get Chandler qualified for this wonderful program. That is just for the dog and his/her training. We are very determined to make that goal happen! Even though it seems so far away we know that this dog will not only provide comfort and friendship for our son, but also keep him safe.

We want to be able to give Chandler a strong companion who can be with him at all times, one who is trained to provide assistance, protection and give him the unconditional friendship he craves (I can feel that he does).

Autistic children and adults tend to connect better with animals then with people. So, in that, we are working as hard as we can by volunteering our time to raise money for 4 Paws for Ability in order to qualify Chandler to receive this much needed service dog. Every donation counts no matter how small. Whether it folds or jingles, it all adds up! So, help us raise the money for 4 Paws for Ability to find Chandler-man’s best friend!

Every generous donation brings Chandler that much closer to receiving the security and independence that he deserves.

Just a reminder that this is a tax-deductible donation to 4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Ave. Xenia, OH 45385. You will receive a letter of receipt back from 4 Paws for your 2009 taxes.

For any additional information please visit our blog at http://chandlerkellerhuis.blogspot.com Thank you to everyone and God bless!

The Kellerhuis Family

Written by Crystal Emmons. What led me down the path to applying for a Multipurpose Service Dog for my beautiful son, Devyn? It all started years ago when I was pregnant and visited my doctor to get my first ultrasound. It was supposed to be a day of excitement and joy, but it ended with many unanswered questions.

As the ultrasound tech left the room to get the doctor, silence filled the room. My mother and I looked at each other with uncertainty. Something was wrong. When the doctor came in, he said, "You're going to have a boy, but his stomach did not close properly. You will need to be seen in Akron, Ohio for the remainder of this pregnancy. You'll also need to deliver this baby in Akron."

I was stunned. The next step was to follow up with doctors and hope for the best. I was seen by the Akron General Hospital specialist and made some visits to the Akron Children's Hospital. The specialist explained the type of birth defect my doctor had discovered, Gastroschsis. There are different levels of severities. Gastroschsis is a medical term meaning congenital opening of the anterior abdominal wall. The procedure was to be done after the baby's birth.

During my visits to Akron Children's Hospital, I also visited the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and met with the surgeons who would be taking care of Devyn once he was born. They were able to show me pictures and diagrams of other babies with this condition. We were shocked. My family and I had never heard of anything like this before!

This brings us to October 3, 2005. My aunt was home on a visit, and she noticed that something was wrong with me. Concerned, she asked me how I was feeling. Then my dad chimed in, asking if the baby had been moving very much lately. Since I had an appointment set up in Akron for the next day, I wasn't really worried about how I was feeling.

The next thing I knew, I was being rushed to the local hospital to be checked out. I'm so glad that everyone made me go, because I was about to give birth to this baby! "No time" was all I heard. Devyn's heart rate was high and he was going into fetal distress. I was told the only way this baby was going to make it was to get him out now!

They delivered him by emergency Cesarean, and I was completely under. All of Devyn's internal organs were exposed! His umbilical cord was also wrapped around his neck. He weighed 4 pounds and was 16.9 inches long. The local hospital medical personnel had never seen a baby with this kind of condition. His diagnosis, which was done over the next few months, was Gastroschsis, Arthrogryposis, Vesticoureteral Reflux, and bilateral club feet.

The Akron Children's Transport team immediately came to take him to Akron, stopping by the room long enough to say "Hello mommy," and promising to call me with the details of his arrival at the hospital. The doctor promised to call me about the surgery results.

I was so worried about my little boy. Later that night I got the call I had been waiting for. "Devyn's surgery went well," the doctor said, "but there were some complications. The abdominal wall was not big enough for us to successfully close with all of his organs in place. It's going to take some time. While Devyn is stable, he needs to grow some more before we close the abdominal wall completely."

Devyn was in the NICU for four months, and during that time, other surgeries took place. The diagnosis of Arthrogryposis was done within the period of his stay in the NICU, as well as his bilateral club feet. Arthrogryposis is the persistent flexure of a joint. In Devyn's case, he has bilateral elbow flexion contracture, which means they have very little bending ability.

His shoulders are different because he is lacking some muscle in the right shoulder. This has him leaning to the right. His fingers were also affected: some are able to open while others don't open as well, but the grip in his hands has definitely changed since birth. They are very strong now.

Some children have difficulties with their hips, spines, and knees. Devyn was very lucky to have issues only within his elbows, shoulders, feet, and fingers. Our family is part of a support group for children with this type of disability, AMC Support.

At this time, Devyn's biggest issue is his GI system. He has a central line that has Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) with fats and tube feedings at night. During the day, he is encouraged to eat solid foods by mouth. Devyn's weight is now 30 pounds, and he is doing well with his tube feedings.

So far, Devon has had a total of 25 surgeries. He's had two foot surgeries and 13 casts, and his feet are straight now. They look great! Devyn is also getting therapy for his arms and has just begun to walk without his walker! I hope to someday find out the cause of his birth defects, and if possible, I want to learn how they can be prevented.

The reasoning for a Multipurpose Service Dog would be "a loving, loyal companion to assist him to overcome limitations created by a disability." For example, the dog would be able to open/close doors, reach items overhead, and help assist with daily activities. Because of the Arthrogryposis, he doesn't have the range of motion in many of his joints that most people have. Most importantly, the dog will alert me when Devyn has a medical emergency relating to his disabilities.

Thank you for taking the time to read Devyn's story and I hope that you will decide to help us in obtaining a service dog for Devyn! We are excited to be fundraising for Devyn's service dog, which we will get from the nonprofit organization 4 Paws for Ability. Please donate to 4 Paws in Devyn's name. It's a wonderful organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

Love, Devyn and the Emmons Family

Photos provided courtesy CLG Photography

Alexander Tryon is a loving and kind four-and-a-half-year-old diagnosed with Autism at the age of three. He has a very large vocabulary, but does not always use it properly. He requires a lot of sensory input to keep his body under control.

Alexander has an independent spirit and a curious nature, which can put him in harms way. He will walk away with any person he meets, so doors must always be locked and his bedroom window has a security gate in it.

He is an only child, adopted at birth. His family has seen him interact with other dogs and knows that for him to get an Autism Service dog would benefit him greatly.

Alexander has been accepted to receive an autism service dog from 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. 4 Paws will train a dog specifically for Alexander's needs. Here's how it would work for him:

• In potentially dangerous situations, Alexander will be tethered to the autism service dog to prevent him from running away.
• The autism service dog will assist Alexander with sensory input.
• The autism service dog will interrupt undesired behavior.
• The autism service dog will be a comforting and calming companion.
• The dog will also be trained for search and rescue to track and find Alexander if he should wander off. Which is quite probable.

You can help make Alexander's family's dream come true by making a tax-deductible donation to:
4 Paws for Ability, Inc.
253 Dayton Avenue
Xenia, Ohio 45385

Every parent has hopes and dreams for their children. As they watch them grow, these dreams change and grow. Our dreams for our four year old son Whit are simple. We want him to be able to walk through a store without worrying about if and when he will run off. We want to be able to get him out of the car and not worry that he will run into traffic. We want him to not scream and hurt himself when he's upset. When we take him to the park, we want the other kids to WANT to play with him, and not exclude him because he makes weird noises, or because he doesn't understand their games.

Two years ago Whit was diagnosed with Autism and Global developmental delays. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects 1 out of every 156 children in the U.S. How it manifests in each child varies. Whit does not understand danger. He cannot be trusted to stay near us while in public. He must either be in a stroller, shopping cart, or be held tightly by the hand. He is old enough now that he dislikes all of these options and avoids them whenever and however he can. Whit often runs away when we get him out of the car, sometimes going straight into the street. Other times he runs away without any clear direction.

Unlike other kids, he will not always come back when his name is called. Instead, he may run away faster. Whit does not recognize strangers as potential danger. Simple day-to-day acts that we take for granted like brushing our teeth or wearing clothes are often too much for Whit to handle. When Whit is overwhelmed he screams. If we can't fix whatever is bothering him fast enough he escalates to hurting himself, hitting his head or biting his hands in frustration.

We recently applied and were approved for an Autism Assistance dog for Whit. 4 Paws for Ability is a 501c3 non-profit that works to place highly trained service dogs in the hands of disabled children and adults. An Autism Assistance dog is trained in Behavior Disruption. When Whit is engaged in repetitive or self injurious behaviors the dog intervenes by nudging him or comforting him by snuggling. The dog is trained to have Whit tethered to him when out in public. This serves the dual purposes of keeping Whit safe and giving him the independence he so desperately wants and needs. Autism Assistance Dogs are trained in tracking (search and rescue skills) which could be the difference between minutes vs. hours of looking for Whit should he run away or hide from us.

Other organizations that offer Autism assistance dogs have 3-5 year waiting lists, but 4 Paws for Ability has found a way to speed up the process. Parents commit to raising the $13,000 needed to train a service dog rather than waiting for the organization to raise the funds for them. By taking on this responsibility, we avoid a long waiting list and get Whit the help he needs now. Whenever possible 4 Paws for Ability trains dogs found at rescue groups and shelters, providing a second chance for a dog who otherwise might never have a home.

We can't raise $13,000 alone; we need the help of our community. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to 4 Paws for Ability in honor of our son Whit Warren.

For more information on Whit, click here, and to see a video of his story, click here.

Help Wanted: Must Be Friendly, Intelligent, Well Trained, Have Four Legs, and Furry!

Eleven-year-old Ruben Spice has faced more challenges in his young life than most face in a lifetime. He was born with congenital heart defects that required his hospitalization multiple times since he was two weeks old (including open heart surgery at three months and heart catheters at two years and again at four years).

Ruben was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a defect in the ventricular septum - the wall dividing the left and right ventricles of the heart. He was also diagnosed with Patent Ductess Arteriosis (PDA). In a persistent PDA, such as Ruben's, there is an irregular transmission of blood between the two most important arteries in close proximity to the heart.

He was also diagnosed with delayed growth of the skeletal and muscular systems resulting in a slower growth rate, poor/weak fine and gross motor skills, scoliosis, speech delays (even though he has an extensive vocabulary), and torticollis.

When Ruben was 3 years old, he was taken to another specialist due to severe developmental delays. His family was told he would be nonverbal and so mentally delayed that he would never be able to attend school. They were devastated.

Out of sheer determination by Ruben, along with his family, friends, and caregivers, Ruben was able to prove the doctors wrong. Everyone who knows Ruben also knows that he is very bright and full of life, he just had to find a way to overcome.

By the time Ruben was four, he was speaking and comprehending above his age level. He showed great interest and a high level of understanding in all things mechanical. At the time, we didn't know it, but Ruben was showing classic signs of Asperger's Syndrome (AS). AS is known by many as High Functioning Autism. Although he was able to come out of his shell and is thought to be "normal" by those who only see him on a limited basis, Ruben struggles every day with the symptoms of AS.

Children with Autism tend to wander and are unaware of environmental dangers such as traffic, deep water, or the ill intentions of a stranger. When withdrawn within himself, he will not be aware of his environment or respond when called.

Ruben has a very hard time connecting with his peers. His personality may seem dry and rigid, causing some children his age to consider him "weird" and be put off. Stimming and repetitive activities are also symptoms of Autism that tend to draw attention. Stimming is usually characterized by an inability to remain still and include actions such as; swinging the arms, hand flapping, pacing, rocking, facial or muscular ticks (reminiscent of Tourette Syndrome), vocal noises, etc.

Ruben's stimming is very noticeable and affects the way others view him. Such social awkwardness, along with hypersensitivity to sensory stimulation, make the day-to-day actions most people take for granted an exercise in dedication and constant work for Ruben. Today Ruben is in a mainstream 6th grade classroom. He has accomplished so much over a short period of time, and dispelled the grim prognosis given to him, including a suggestion to institutionalize him. He is completely aware that he is different from his peers, however that does not stop him.

Recently, Ruben's mother was informed by an online friend about service animals specially trained for children with Autism. Upon further research, it became obvious 4 Paws For Ability was just the answer to their prayers. The dog currently being trained for Ruben is an Autism service dog. He/she will be trained in behavior disruption (to control stimming and help with social awkwardness), tether (they will be tethered together via a special harness), and tracking.

The cost to properly train an amazing dog like this is $13,000. Although most organizations offer "free" service dogs, Ruben would be put on a waiting list years long while they raised the funds to cover the costs of training. 4 Paws For Ability understands the urgency parents have to get assistance to their children. Because of this, they have made it possible for the parents to participate in the fundraising, eliminating the long and often frustrating waiting list for a "free" service animal.

You can help bring magic to Ruben's life by making your tax-deductible donation to 4 Paws For Ability on Ruben's name. You can mail checks directly to 4 Paws at:
4 Paws For Ability, 253 Dayton Ave, Xenia, Ohio 45385. Please make sure to note "In Honor of Ruben Spice" in the memo portion of your check.

This will be the first service dog of its kind to be placed in Southeast Alabama. Thank you, Wiregrass, for making this a wonderful community to live, work, and play in.

We will be organizing several fund raisers to help us reach our goal. No one wishing to help will be turned away. There is no job too big or too small. Thank you so much for helping out a child in your community and helping to raise awareness of Autism and how children can overcome.

Skyler Kratz is a healthy and active six-year-old boy. Skyler lives in Wisconsin with his mom, fatherly role model, two-year-old sister and newborn brother. He was diagnosed with autism on Dec. 27, 2007. We have always known he was autistic: it just took three years for doctors to agree.

Skyler has trouble crossing the street on his own, he has big temper tantrums when he is frustrated, and will throw things or hit others. He has been found in the apartment building screaming, burying himself in the rocks in the planters, and acting like he didn’t know where he was. Skyler loves matchbox cars, Legos, and movies.

He plays alone but would love to play with others. Sometimes he doesn’t know how to act around other kids and ends up hitting them.

An Autism Assistance Dog would be a strong companion for Skyler, trained to provide the special assistance he needs. The assistance dog would accompany Skyler everywhere, acting as a safety feature.

Based in Xenia, Ohio,4 Paws For Ability is a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to families and individuals. 4 Paws trains a variety of assistance dogs, including but not limited to seizure assistance, mobility assistance, hearing ear dogs, FASD dogs, and autism assistance dogs. 4 Paws was the first agency to place skilled autism assistance dogs and continues to be the largest organization that provides this type of assistance in the United States. 4 Paws is the only organization that places autism assistance dogs with search and rescue skills.

Here are some of the ways Skyler's life will change when he has an Autism Assistance dog:

• Attached to the dog by a special harness, Skyler would be unable to run into traffic or get lost.
• The dog would be trained to comfort Skyler and interrupt his repetitive autistic behaviors, like hand-flapping.
• The dog would act as a social magnet, making it easier for other children to approach Skyler and make friends.
• Autism assistance dogs are also trained in "search and rescue." The dog would be able to track Skyler if he leaves unexpectedly.

We would love to have you help us by contributing toward the training of a service dog for Skyler. You can send a check to this address (please be sure to reference Skyler Kratz on the check or donation link):

4 Paws For Ability, Inc.
253 Dayton Ave
Xenia, Ohio 45385

All donations are tax deductible. If you want to contribute online, this can easily be done by clicking the donation link.

Anthony Granato is a gregarious outgoing sixteen-year-old high school student. He loves playing Wii and simply being around people. He lives in Auburn, New York with his mom and two brothers. Dad lives nearby and sees him frequently.

Anthony is a young man who suffers from Dravet Syndrome, (see www.idea-league.org), which is characterized by an intractable form of epilepsy. Anthony’s condition has been further complicated by scoliosis, osteoporosis, ataxia, and a crouch gait. Trials of medication have been done, but seizure control has never been achieved.

Anthony is extremely social and very well known in our small community. However, he has great difficulty not being able to participate in activities in which his brothers and friends are allowed. He will often wander or run from adults to get to where his brothers are or to someone interesting.

A seizure alert dog, which would be tethered to Anthony, would help him with this problem. Anthony’s seizure alert dog would allow him to have some level of independence in his life. At this point Anthony’s caregiver is unable to be away from him for fear he will have a seizure. This is particularly taxing to mom, who is rarely away from him. A seizure alert dog would allow mom to be able to do things such as take a shower, sleep through the night or do everyday activities which we take for granted.

If you can help, please either go to the 4 Paws for Ability website and click on "donate" or mail a check to 4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, Ohio 45385. Please write :in honor of Anthony Granato" in the memo line of your check. Your donation will be tax deductible and will be a blessing to Anthony and his family...Matthew Drastal

This is Brady Hirsch. He's a sweet, loving, snuggly, happy-go-lucky, two-and-a half-year-old little boy who desperately needs an Autism Service Dog. Please help Brady's dream come true.

Brady has been receiving Early Intervention Services (Speech, OT, PT, including Pool Therapy) since he was 19 months old. He was diagnosed with Autism at 21 months of age, and has just transitioned to a special school for children with Autism.

The daily struggles that Brady faces are sometimes overwhelming to his Dad and me, so we can only imagine how Brady feels. Brady is non- verbal and can become very frustrated at times due to his inability to communicate. He is learning to sign and use the PECS system to communicate.

Brady has made huge progress since he began Early Intervention: he can identify every letter, shape, color, number, and most recently is able to write his name! We are so proud of his accomplishments, but we still have the overwhelming desire to have him be like other little boys his age. We believe that Brady will someday be able to speak and tell us he loves us. We can't wait for that day to hear him call out, "Mom!" or "Dad!"

Having an Autism Service Dog will give Brady a true friend that he will develop a special bond with…a bond like nothing else. We will have a more reassurance that our little boy is happy and safe! Thank you for helping Brady's Dream Come True. Mommy and Daddy's Dream too!!!

Sincerely, Lori and Tom Hirsch: Colonie, NY

Curtis Cottengim looks like a typical six-year-old boy with his big warm smile and bright eyes. But Curtis does not experience the world like most children his age, because Curtis is Autistic. Curtis has faced more challenges in his short life than many others will ever experience. Children with Autism have many special needs.

Curtis has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), severe A.D.H.D (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Anxiety Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, as well as social issues.

He has a limited but growing vocabulary, which limits his ability to be social. He has an especially hard time in social situations and doesn't make friends like his typical peers. New places, people, sounds, and smells can be overwhelming for him.

Children with Autism tend to wander and are very unaware of potential danger. Curtis has no fear of traffic, water, or the ill intentions of strangers. Even though he will not talk to a stranger or go up to one, he will not walk away. If Curtis became lost, he would not answer to his name being called, nor will he come running toward us.

Children with Autism also have behavioral issues, which Curtis also has. He has many meltdowns (tantrums) that can be started for reasons of not liking something to someone talking to him. We do not go out in public much because of his meltdowns. It doesn't matter if he is at home or at school: his meltdowns will happen anywhere and they last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Curtis needs a strong companion with him at all times, one who is trained to provide assistance, protection, and unconditional friendship. Autistic children and adults tend to connect better with animals then with people.

Curtis was accepted for a service dog through 4 Paws for Ability. This is a wonderful thing, since 4 Paws will train the dog specifically for him. Please help us raise the money needed for Curtis to receive his dog. With every donation made, Curtis is that much closer to receiving the security and independence that he deserves. Every cent counts.

If you would like more information please email Curtis (Sr) and Robin, or contact 4 Paws for Ability directly.

Thank you for your time and for all who donate... Curtis (Sr), Robin and Curtis (Jr.) Cottengim from Canby, Oregon

We are raising money for a multipurpose assistance dog for Owen and Annabelle Luschei. Owen is five years old and has autism. Annabelle is three years old and has epilepsy.

For my son, the dog would provide safety, social and emotional needs. Right now Owen has a stuffed dog that he takes everywhere. He has been asking me for a dog for years. His therapists use his stuffed dog as a motivational tool.

A real dog would be a dream come true for him. When I ask him why he wants a dog he answers 'to love.' He is a very sweet little boy who loves animals.

Owen is a very happy little boy and has a lot of enthusiasm. He wants friends very badly, and it can be difficult with his language delay. He also has a lot of anxiety and sensory issues. He tries very hard and never gives up, but there is much he is not able to do which can be very frustrating.

A dog will help motivate him and help calm him. It would also help him interact socially with other people.

Annabelle is creative and full of energy. She has suffered from seizures for the past two years. It is scary for everyone when she has a seizure. We have had many ER visits. I have trouble sleeping because I am afraid she will have a seizure at night and choke.

Three times I have heard her choking or just happened to check on her while she was having a seizure while on her back. When she has a seizure and is on her back her airway is blocked. After a seizure she falls into a deep sleep.

I'm constantly afraid that I will wake up one morning and find Annabelle died because I didn't hear her when she had a seizure at night. To have a dog that could alert me to her seizure would allow me to actually sleep at night without the guilt and fear. An assistance dog could save her life.

We all love dogs and the the assistant dog would be a huge source of comfort. I can't fully express the joy a multipurpose assistant dog would bring to our entire family. You can help us by making a tax-deductible donation to 4 Paws for Ability in honor of Owen and Annabelle Luschei. For more information about Owen and Annabelle you can contact Angie Luschei.

And here's a special website we put up to keep track of your generous donations.

Thank You for reading about our family and helping us make our family's dream come true. Angie Luschei.

Dillon Neeley is a happy, bright, and sometimes talkative little boy. This wasn't always the case. When he was little, Dillon didn't talk and couldn't use sign language, so we were left guessing what he needed. He hated being hugged and touched, and didn't interact with others, including children. We found out he had autism just after his second birthday.

We've worked hard over the last two years, and Dillon has improved a lot. But there's something else that could help give him the confidence to continue to grow: an autism service dog.

I would do anything to help Dillon navigate his way through the world, and it would give me great comfort if he had a best friend always by his side. A service dog would give him such comfort, benefiting him in ways that's almost magical.

Dillon is oblivious to the dangers of the word. He crosses streets without a hint of fear, even as a car approaches. He loves swimming, but has no concept of how to hold his breath or that not all water is safe. And if he ever got lost, he would be unable to tell someone his name or where he lived.

Every teacher and therapist who has worked with Dillon asserts that he is highly intelligent. At age two, he knew his entire alphabet, upper and lower case; he is engrossed by shapes and colors, and at four, is rapidly learning to read. The challenges of his autism cause frustration when he is unable to achieve something he wants to do. He is unable to calm himself down enough to focus on easy tasks. Things that most kids love to do- like coloring- send Dillon into a fit of tears. I hope that a service dog from 4 Paws for Ability will calm and help him focus so that he is able to continue learning, something he loves to do.

Joyous occasions like Halloween are so stressful that we rarely go trick-or-treating. He spent last Christmas huddled in his room, overwhelmed by the visiting family. We rarely take him out to eat, other than the occasional fast food restaurant, because he can't seem to sit still or manage his twitches. Other families have told me wondrous stories about how their service dogs exude such accepting calmness that their child can suddenly do things they've never done before. If a service dog would allow Dillon to enjoy Christmas, I would be so overjoyed.

When Dillon's routine stays consistent, he tends to stay calm. But if his routine changes, he can really become confused, scared, and upset. Unfortunately, my husband's job tends to move us every two years or so, so we're constantly setting up new routines and going to new places. This can be very stressful for Dillon, and having a dog that will stand by his side through all of the changes will really help.

So I am asking if you can be a superhero for my son and give him a miracle that can change his life. I know times are tough right now, but even a dollar will bring Dillon one step closer to gaining a new "leash" on life.

4 Paws for Ability is a great organization that rescues many of their dogs from animal shelters and rescue groups. They then match up the dog with a child who needs him.

Please consider helping Dillon by donating to 4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, Ohio 45385. Please write "In honor of Dillon Neeley" on the check. For more information, please visit www.4pawsforability.org or call (937) 374-0385. You can also visit http://www.freewebs.com/dogfordillon. Anything will help! Thank you and God bless!

Michael Ewing is a highly energetic six-year-old boy. At first glance, you would think he is a typical, average child. He loves to climb, to run, and to jump.

Unfortunately, Michael does not know when these activities are safe for him to do and when they are not safe. You see, Michael has Autism.

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects his perception of the world around him and his response to others and the environment in which he lives. Michael loves to run from his parents, he thinks it is funny, a game; but this love of running has nearly gotten Michael run over several times.

Michael has also escaped from his home and back yard on several occasions and once in the mall. This is a terrifying experience for his parents and also for his siblings. Michael is also non verbal. He typically will not respond when his name is called and cannot tell you his name or where he lives.

His family wants to get him a service dog to assist him in his daily life and social interactions. Michael has been accepted to receive a Service Dog from 4 Paws for Ability.

This dog will be trained to accompany him everywhere, to track him if he gets lost, and will be tethered to him to prevent him from running away. The dog will be trained to comfort Michael and help him calm himself when he is frustrated. It would also act as a “social magnet” making it easier for other children to approach Michael and make friends.

Michael’s parents (Adam and Jamie Ewing) and his sisters (Angela, 8 and Jana, 18 months) are asking for your help to raise the funds necessary to train Michael’s dog.

If you can help, please either go to the 4 Paws for Ability website and click on "donate," or mail a check to 4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, Ohio 45385. Please write “in honor of Michael Ewing” in the memo line of your check. Your donation will be tax deductible and will be a blessing to Michael’s family. Thanks!

Linnea Faith Brendtro was born very close to our tenth wedding anniversary. The delivery room was eerily quiet as she was whisked away from us and then brought back for us to hold. From the moment we looked into her eyes, we knew that life was going to be different for and with this child.
For you see, Linnea was born with a rare form of Down syndrome, Down syndrome by translocation. (Unlike other forms of Down syndrome, this type occurs at conception when the cells do not divide properly.

Initial research suggests that this type of DS may result in more language impairment.) As the doctor broke the news to us that day, the first words out of my husband’s mouth were “Well, that’s OK. We will take her home and love her and do the best for her that we can.” We named her Linnea for the delicate mountain flower that grows here in Alaska. We chose Faith for her middle name. We wanted to express faith that her life was going to be one of the best things that ever happened to us. (And indeed it has been!!)

Three years later, almost to the day, we were blessed with a second child, Leif. Leif‘s name means “loved” and “survivor.” We had miscarried twice since Linnea’s birth and were ecstatic to have another child. But his birth was traumatic, due to Mommy’s severe preeclampsia. He spent time in the NICU, suffered many ear infections his first year, and cried a lot. Every time he cried, we just held him tighter, we were so glad to have him.

As time passed, our children hit many milestones—crawling, walking, jumping. One thing neither accomplished was talking. Often our children also engaged in strange behaviors—tapping items, excessive jumping, sleep disturbances, fleeing behaviors. Last November, we took them together to a developmental specialist. In addition to Down syndrome, Linnea was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder. At seven, we are unsure what verbal capabilities she will have. Our precious Leif was given several labels among them severe developmental delay and sensory processing disorder. School psychologists have given him the educational diagnosis of autism. While it was a relief to have some answers, the new was difficult to absorb.

However, despite the bad news, we want to keep perspective. We are a blessed family. Our children enjoy life. They also are affectionate. Linnea continues to be our delightful first born determined child. She does not believe that life has obstacles—unless she decides to make them! She adores swim lessons and is hoping to get her own canoe paddle for Christmas. While she is non-verbal, she is well versed in the use of picture exchange. We hope to acquire a speech device soon that will help her to express her more complex thoughts.

Our Leif has the nickname “Sunshine Boy.” He loves to give hugs. Since having his tonsils out in July, he has become more verbal. It is an emerging skill that we hope will grow stronger with each passing day. Leif has started preschool in an autistic program, and he is benefiting immensely. He is very technically gifted and has caused disruption to the family budget by exploring everything technical in our home. To date, we have had phone repairs and electrical issues due to his curiosity! He often has ingenious ways of assembling things. We never know what he will think of next. There is love, laughter, and joy in our home.

But there are also times of immense responsibility. It can be difficult to engage our children in our world—sometimes they just want to engage in odd behaviors. At times, we are up at odd hours with a small boy who can’t sleep. Most troubling of all; however, are the children’s tendency to flee. Our lives are structured around extraordinary efforts to ensure that our children are safe.

Despite our double locked doors and carefully orchestrated plans to ensure their safety in public, we have had too many close calls. We have lost a child during a deployment ceremony, had several escapes to the neighborhood (now we have two sets of locks), and taken a solo elevator ride to a hotel swimming pool (mommy will never step off the elevator first again!!)

One time we had the unthinkable where we were at a playground and one child bolted for the road while another bolted for the woods. Mommy had to choose who to reach first. So sometimes our lives can have moments of sheer panic! We have asked ourselves, “What more can we do to keep these children safe?”

We got to thinking... what if our family had an angel? What if we had someone trained to interrupt repetitive behaviors? What if we had someone who could accompany us everywhere and help with those tendencies to flee? What if we had someone who could alert us to a child in need in the middle of the night? When we were referred to 4 Paws for Ability by an acquaintance, it seemed to be the perfect answer. 4 Paws for Ability is an Ohio based non profit agency that trains service dogs for people with varying special needs. It is one of two non profits that train dogs for children with autism.

We applied to 4 Paws and were chosen from many special needs families around the US. Our dog will be trained to help our children with their own needs. The dog can interrupt negative behaviors, “walk” the children in public (no fleeing), alert us to any problem situations, and best of all, assist in search and rescue if a child leaves the house.

Would you like to help? We are in the process of raising funds for 4 Paws. We must partner with them to raise the amount that it costs to train “our dog.” Because 4 Paws is a non-profit agency, all gifts to them are tax-deductible. Checks can be sent to them at: 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, OH 45385. Please put “Linnea and Leif Brendtro” on your check to ensure that we receive credit for your gift. You can also donate from 4 Paw’s website: www.4pawsforability.org We are listed in the “Make a Dream Come True” section. Thanks so much!

Everyone has had heroes in their lives, those amazing people in the world who've made a difference in your life or the lives of others. Jude Bell is one such hero. He's a wonderful five-year-old boy who has completely changed the lives of all who meet him and get to know him. He has a great sense of humor and loves to make people laugh. He's loving and kind. He is a handsome boy who may look like any other child you meet.

However he struggles with something that most of those children don't. Jude has struggled with behavioral issues all of his life, and this is often obvious to people around him. He has an independent spirit and a curious nature, which often puts him in harm's way.

From a very young age, he's been an excellent escape artist. However he has little sense or understanding of environmental dangers, such as drowning, traffic, or the ill intentions of a stranger. Most children would respond or run towards a familiar voice in such a situation. Jude would likely not run towards them, and may in fact run the other way.

Jude was born with Autism. It is a neurological disorder that is more and more heard of yet still widely misunderstood. Autism affects the areas of the brain controlling language, social interaction, and creative and abstract thinking.

He actually has a very large vocabulary, but does not always use it properly. Since he often needs the proper prompts and cues to express himself, it can be difficult for him to communicate his needs or wants. He also relies on familiarity and scripting in attempt to converse with others.

In addition, his brain has difficulty processing the sensory information that he perceives. Many times sights, sounds, smells, and touch can overwhelm him. This usually leads to outbursts and a desire to flee the situation.

Other times, he has trouble focusing because he can't fight the desire to seek out sensory input. This leads to sensory seeking activities that alienate him from those around him. Every moment of every day Jude fights against his natural tendencies to be afraid, anxious, or overwhelmed. He strives to communicate and be understood. His greatest challenge though, may be in trying to make friends.

Jude's family accepts all of these differences as part of who he is. This acceptance doesn't lessen the stress they constantly feel, especially in situations that can be potentially dangerous for him, like any public place.

It doesn't make it any easier to ignore the dirty looks, and disapproving glances from people who don't know Jude. Individuals that simply see a child who is screaming, crying, running away, or being dangerous. It's easy for them to assume that he's just a brat or that he has bad parents, because despite his having a handicap there's no outward evidence of it. His family's acceptance though, leads to one thing, a single goal for his life - his happiness.

This is where you can help.

Jude has been accepted to receive a service dog from 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. Based in Xenia, Ohio, 4 Paws For Ability, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, strives to provide service dogs to families and children that struggle with life's daily challenges and who would otherwise be turned away by many other agencies.

4 Paws trains a variety of assistance dogs, including but not limited to seizure assistance, mobility assistance, hearing ear and autism assistance dogs. Some of the dogs even serve a little time in the Rover Prison Rehab Program as a stepping-stone to becoming certified service dogs.

Jude has qualified for an Autism Assistance dog. As Jude's family raises money for 4 Paws for Ability, they earn a point for every dollar. When they reach their pledged goal of 13,000 points, 4 Paws for Ability will begin training a dog specifically for Jude's needs.

In potentially dangerous situations, Jude will be tethered to the dog to prevent him from running away. The dog will assist Jude with therapy, provide sensory input, interrupt undesired behaviors, and be a comforting and calming companion. It would also act as a "social magnet," making it easier for other children to approach Jude.

The dog will also be trained as in search and rescue, to track and find him if and when he would run away. It would also be a huge source of relief for Jude's family, empowering them to lead a fuller, happier life.

"We have discovered a magic that exists between children and dogs, a magic that can become a life-saving miracle for a child paired with one of our Autism Assistance Dogs," states the 4 Paws website. You can help make their dreams come true by making a tax deductible donation to 4 Paws For Ability, 253 Dayton Ave. Xenia, OH 45385; just make sure to write in Jude Bell's name in the memo of the check.