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.

December 2007. THANKS to an Anonymous Donor who finished the fundraising for eight of our children. Note: We've removed the pictures and stories of the children who were helped, but those shown below still need your help!

Josh Woosley :: Alexander Lubrant :: Braeden Allen :: Alexander LeBlanc :: Dakota Foster :: Andrew Smith
Trapper Leeth :: Thaine Wood :: Dale Wooley :: Dallon Arvidson :: Annabelle Whitaker

This is about our son Thaine Aaron Wood. Thaine is a handsome boy of nine who has Autism. Although he is nonverbal and has his "quirky" moments, he is one of the most loving kids you will ever meet.

Thaine has never met a stranger, which is horrible since he tries to grab everyone's hand, and you never know who is bad. He has a tendency to run away; thinks it is a game to bolt out the door and he does not stop when called.

This is Thaine's family. Daddy is a soldier in the US Army, Mommy stays at home and Gwyneth, Thaine's sister, is five going on twenty.

We are currently stationed at Ft Bragg, NC and reside in Hope Mills. This dog would not only make Thaine's life better but his whole family would get a sense of relief that is beyond all words. Thank you so much.

Dale Wooley is just like any other eight-year-old boy. He loves to ride his bike, play video games and not a day goes by without him talking about his favorite thing - transformers. However, Dale’s life is different from yours and mine in so many ways; he has Autism. Day in and day out he struggles in our busy, stimulus-filled world, just trying to keep his behavior under control and behave “appropriately.”

But all too frequently, the situation ends in a “meltdown.” This could range from mild defiance to screaming, hitting, throwing objects, or even a full blown, flop on the floor tantrum. As his parents, we can recall innumerable episodes of stares, glares, and “parenting advice” from people who think they know how to handle the situation.

One of the most difficult things is that, because he looks like every other eight year old, people don’t know Dale has a problem. They walk on past the meltdown mumbling “What a brat!” or “He just needs a good spanking!” when Dale really is just doing his best to control himself in an over-stimulating environment.

Enter the Autism Assistance Dog. In February 2008, we became aware of the Autism Assistance Dog program from 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. This program could very well help save Dale’s life. This type of service dog is specifically trained to help children and families who are dealing with Autism. These canines are attune to the stresses of autistic children, and can intervene during a meltdown, or even help prevent one from happening! More importantly for us, though, is that they are also trained in search and rescue.

Since Dale wanders away from home, school and stores during outings, an Autism Assistance dog can help us find him faster. We relocate about every two years. Dale has wandered off more than 30 times, in three different states, over the last 6 years. That is an average of five times a year we have had to search for our lost son. Twice he was found in a stranger’s home, at three and five years of age. We are waiting in great anticipation of getting a service dog placed with Dale. You can help bring some safety to Dale’s life, and peace of mind to ours, by making a tax deductible donation in his honor.

Hi, my name is Dallon Arvidson and I am four years old. I live with my mom, dad and 2-year-old brother. Because my parents were concerned about my development, they had me tested and I was diagnosed with Autism and Global Developmental Delay in August 2007.

I have a love for life and am a very happy boy, but the world is a little scary for me at times. Because of my Autism I get overwhelmed when I am in new places that are busy with people and sounds. I can get really confused and scared when I can’t find my mom because I can’t filter out all of the other stuff going on around me to hear her voice.

I like to do things over and over and I obsess over certain things I like. It’s what my doctor calls repetitive behaviors. I love Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen, I could watch their movies all day every day if my mom would let me. I got to meet Buzz when we went to Disneyland and you should have seen how amazed I was to see him in real life.

I have a really hard time transitioning away from something I have been doing to do anything else, like to eat dinner. Once I get upset, I don’t really hear or understand anything that is said to me, so I have a hard time calming down even if I am given exactly what I wanted.

I really like water but I don’t know it is dangerous, and I don’t always know when it is safe to run after someone I know (or don’t know), or something I want. I don’t know how to tell my mom where I am going. Unless someone is constantly watching, no one will know where I have gone. My dog would help me to know when it is safe, and show my mom where I am whenever I am out of sight.

I would also really like to have a close friend. I don’t talk like kids my age, and other kids don’t understand why I don’t answer their questions. My dog would be my best friend and maybe help me make some new friends.

Thank you so very much! Dallon (and my family)

"Is it puppy pick-up day?" This is Annabelle's first question each and every morning since she has found out that she has been approved for a multipurpose service dog from 4 Paws for Ability! Annabelle has Smith-Magenis syndrome, which is the deletion of the 17th chromosome, and she was diagnosed with SMS at the age of 5 years.

Annabelle Whitaker is an energetic, spunky, feisty, and loving 10 year old girl - the flip side to these behaviors are the intense meltdowns that she has when she is upset, the wandering off in public and the "no fear" of strangers. Annabelle is developmentally delayed, speech delayed, she does not sleep anymore that 4 hours each night, and she will hurt herself during a meltdown. Pulling off her nails and running away from us in public are just a few of her behaviors that we want to reduce or even try to prevent.

She had surgery to repair a sub-mucus cleft palate when she was 6 years old and is currently in speech therapy, but she is still very hard to understand.

One of our biggest fears is that when Annabelle runs off from us in public is that she will go off with a stranger. Especially if that stranger has something that Annabelle likes. An example would be a puppy. Someone who has never been around Annabelle would have a very hard time understanding her speech and she could not give a police officer her name, address or phone number.

We want Annabelle to be HAPPY, and we want our family, friends, and community members to see Annabelle being HAPPY! A guardian angel that comes in the form of a service dog from 4 Paws for Ability will make our Annabelle HAPPY and SAFE.

Annabelle enjoys watching her sister Megan play softball and cheering for her at the WRALL field, and she also loves playing with her youngest sister Aubrey who is 11 months old and loves teaching her new songs and games.

Anything that is Disney related, Annabelle loves! Swinging, playing outside with our dogs, and lying in the sunshine give Annabelle (and us) a little bit of peace.

My name is Andrew Smith, and I'm almost your typical nine-year-old-boy. My life revolves around football and baseball, and I tend to get stuck on one thing for months at a time. I love the Bengals and the Reds: I am, after all, from Cincinnati! I play on a football team and a baseball team, but it's hard for me when I miss the ball or the tackle, I just can't seem to deal with it. I've been mean to the coaches even, but they usually cut me a break. I get upset when my school work doesn't show 100% perfect and even more upset when my mom asks me to stop playing and do something, even come and eat!

I sleep in my mom's bedroom most of the time because I hate to be alone, even out of her sight. I don't think I've ever played alone in my room unless I'm on the play station playing Madden 08. After all, football is my life right now!

Why am I like this? My mom says I have an emotional handicap. I don't really know what Bipolar means, or ADHD, ODD, or Separation Anxiety Disorder are, but mom says that's what makes me unique. I struggle in school so much I'm in my 3rd school, a therapy school, because I can't hold it together in regular school. My moods go on a roller coaster ride, up and down so fast, and I can't control them.

I promise I don't mean to scream and yell and sometimes hit, kick, and throw things. I just can't help it. My mom usually tries to get me calm before I get to that point, but at times it just makes me madder. I'd love to sleep in my own bed and be able to shower alone in the bathroom, but I just can't do it. I don't feel comfortable alone, out of sight of anyone.

My mom found this place called "4 Paws for Ability" that has service dogs for kids like me. If I had a service dog, I would have a friend that could sleep in my room (or bed) with me at night, and sit in the bathroom with me while I shower, and help keep me calm in school and in places where there's lots of people and I get so anxious and upset we just have to leave!

A "Multi-Purpose Service Dog" that would love me when I'm happy and sad and be there for me all the time would be so great. Maybe I could even go back to public school sooner! Won't you please help my mommy make my dream come true and make a donation to 4 Paws in Honor of me, Andrew Smith? Thanks for reading!

This is Dakota Foster. He is 5 years old and in Kindergarten. He loves to color, draw, play with Legos, Power Rangers, Transformers, and to play with his sister, Cheyenne.

To look at him with his big blue eyes and contagious smile, you would think he is just like any other five- year-old-little boy. But his world is so much different from ours. He is living with Autism, ADHD, and SID (Sensory Integration Disorder). He processes the sights and sounds of the world around him differently.

Sometimes, his dealing with things can consist of repetitive behaviors such as spinning or repetitive speech. Other times he just cannot handle them at all and has what is known as a “meltdown.”

To someone who does not know what is going on, this “meltdown” can look like a child just being a "brat." But it is very different! It is something that he cannot control. It is his only way of dealing with that situation.

Another aspect of Dakota’s life that is very different is his inability to make friends easily. Due to his Autism, he has problems with the social aspects of life. It is very difficult for him to make and keep friends. Also, children like Dakota are prone to wandering off, despite their parents’ best efforts to keep them from doing so. Dakota is no different.

He has climbed out of a window early in the morning while his parents still slept, only to be found a short time later by his mother as she drove around the area in the family van. He also wanders away frequently in the store, usually while at the checkout, forcing his parents to leave their items to go and get him.

This is where the Autism Assistance Dog comes in! 4 Paws for Ability trains their Autism Assistance Dogs in behavior disruption, tethering, tracking (search and rescue) and other behaviors specific to the child.

Tethering is used to keep the child from wandering off when you are in a public place. This provides not only safety for the child, but independence as well! The child is tethered to the dog and cannot wander more than 3 feet away. Also, the dog can track the child, should they wander away. 4 Paws is the only organization that trains its Autism dogs for search and rescue!

Dakota has been approved to receive an Autism Assistance Dog through 4 Paws. But we have a fundraising requirement that must be met before a dog can be placed with him. For every dollar we raise for 4 Paws, Dakota receives a point. He needs a total of 14,000 points to receive his dog. Please find it in your heart to help our son find peace, friendship and independence by donating to 4 Paws in Dakota’s honor! Thank you so much and God bless!

Trapper Leeth  Dogs play a key role in Alaska's history, and now a Skagway child needs an autism/search and rescue assistance dog to keep him safe from everyday dangers. My three-year-old son, Trapper Leeth, needs a miracle, says his mother, Jami Leeth. He had developed a small vocabulary, but at about 18 months he stopped all talk, eye contact decreased, and our whole world changed. In April 2007 Trapper was diagnosed with PDD, an Autism Spectrum Disorder that makes his life very frustrating.

Trapper has no speech, shows little eye contact, and doesn't respond to his name. He can't comprehend simple commands like "Sit down" or "Come here." Those who understand autism know that the word "meltdown" is not just a word in the dictionary. When our little guy becomes over-stimulated or frustrated (and this happens daily), he screams, arches his back, and is inconsolable for long periods of time.

And then there's fear, something that Trapper experiences in one way, while his parents and older sister experience in other ways. Trapper doesn't understand the dangers of water, fire, and vehicles--anything that's dangerous for little children. He loves to climb fences, crawl under beds and vehicles, and hide. Strangers are also an issue. Trapper has no understanding that someone could hurt him. Because he doesn't respond when called, you can imagine some of the situations we've found ourselves in, even though we do our best to watch him every minute.

A service dog trained to work with autism and also trained in Search & Rescue would be a lifesaving intervention, not only Trapper's life, but for our entire family. We struggle daily with our active, curious, super-fast child. Our biggest concern: safety. My husband and I hope that a service dog will make his world a little safer.

Skagway, the town in Alaska where we live, has a population of about 800 people in the winter and we're making sure everyone here understands Trapper's autism. If ever he escapes or if the worst become reality and we cannot find him, everyone will have been alerted. Although living here is wonderful, the lack of services for Trapper is a major issue. His father and I feel a service dog may be the key to helping him navigate our world a little better.

Skagway loves its tourists (over 10,000 a day during tourist season), and Trapper is intrigued with the huge tour buses that carry visitors around, the many helicopters, and airplanes taking off and landing across the street, the train running, and the gigantic cruise ships. However, each mode of transportation has associated noise and Trapper tends to become upset with too much noise. It's a challenge to keep him calm, and hang onto him so he doesn't lose his way in the crowds that enjoy summer in Skagway.

Our town is surrounded by rugged mountain forests, waterfalls, and a raging (in the summer) Skagway River. In winter, it is a "not solid" ice floe. Our entire town is a high-risk area it's a huge safety issue because of Trapper's speedy getaways. Trapper loves water. Not only does he have no fear of water but he's actually attracted to it. He wants to touch it and taste it, and when we took him on a hike to a waterfall, he found a small pool and walked right in.

A service dog would be a constant companion for Trapper, helping to calm him if he should become over-stimulated, and providing him with a sense of independence from his concerned family. Trapper can figure out anything after seeing it done only once. For example, locks and doors. His curiosity adds to his need to explore. If our son were tethered to his dog, who would become his best friend, so many dangers would be averted.

While Trapper has sweet dreams about escaping, my dreams about his escaping are more like nightmares. It's difficult to sleep well wondering when he'll decide to figure out how to defeat the locks we have and go outside at night. In Alaska bears, wolves, and wildlife outnumber people, another reason why if Trapper were to become lost, the time it takes to find him is so important. Trapper's service dog will be trained in Search & Rescue; so (worst case scenario) finding our son would take less time than a massive manhunt.

Another aspect of seeking out a service dog is tied in with his social response to others. He needs a friend he can count on. And a friend we can count on. At age three, Trapper is not interested in other children. We would love to someday see our child riding his bike with other children or eventually going to play at the nearby park with his sister. We pray a dog to open doors for others to speak to our adorable son or to notice him for something other than having a public meltdown.

In my application to 4 Paws, after giving a brief history, I explained about Trapper's need for safety, independence, a friend who never leaves his side and who is a comfort during sensory overload--a dog trained to respond to Trapper's need for pressure, as with touches or hugs. On October 27th, 2007, we were busy making breakfast when the phone range. It was Karen Shirk of 4 Paws on the phone. Trapper had been approved for a service dog. I was so excited. I asked about 700 questions and couldn't wait to learn more about what to do next. I was nervous about the fundraising, and the fact that we were leaving on vacation the following morning wasn't helping with my anxiety.

Originally our plan was to return to Alaska on Nov. 30th, Trapper's 3rd birthday, but after only four days visiting in California, my family, including Trapper, was involved in a serious vehicle rollover accident. Fortunately, the children were okay. I was the most critical. My head was split open, and I had three fractures in my neck and three compression fractures in my back. I was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Southern Oregon. After five days, I was released to my mother's care and told not to travel for three months. This put a huge damper on fundraising for our son.

The good news is that after two months, I was permitted to come back home to Skagway in neck and body braces. Life has been even harder on Trapper since the accident. I am thankful to be alive and walking, and am recovering well, but, because of my pain, it is almost impossible for me to pick up my son and hold him, or even squeeze him tight like he likes. His daddy and sister, Katie, help Trapper and me, but he clings to me mostly, and doesn't seem to understand. But this is only temporary. In the meantime, almost all our efforts are going toward fundraising for our miracle dog.

Braeden Allen is a beautiful, happy, and loving four year old who has autism.

He struggles with the everyday language that comes so easily to most people.

He also has behavioral problems and odd mannerisms that cause him to be shunned by his peers.

Braeden is in need of an autism assistance dog to help him understand and avoid dangerous situations, interrupt problem behavior, and serve as a social connection with peers...not to mention just being a good friend and Braeden desperately needs that.

Please help us reach the volunteer credits we need to have an autism assistance dog trained just for Braeden.

We really need your help.

Hi, I'm Josh Woosley and I have Aspergers Disorder. Mom tells me this means I think differently than other people. I guess she's right because I have a hard time in school. There are so many noises, and smells and people and lights. Blech. My mom and dad are hoping to get me a new friend who can go to school with me. My new friend can help me by being with me all the time, I can lean against my new friend so I don't have to lean against my teacher as much, plus my new friend can help me make other friends (I have a hard time making friends, you see).

My new friend can also help me at home by sleeping with me. I hate to sleep by myself, I get scared (but don't tell anyone, ok?). My friends at 4-paws have said they will try to find a special Autism Assistance Dog for me to take to school with me and be my new friend. If you would like to help me get my new friend that would be GREAT!! You can send money to 4-paws for ability and put my name on it and it will count towards me getting my new friend. Thanks so much for reading about me.

Love, Josh.

This is Alexander Lubrant, he is 6 years old and is Autistic, and has a second diagnosis of Mood Disorder. Alexander has had a tough year and struggles with all transitions within the many programs, doctor appointments and with his behavior out in public. Sometimes we have easy days, many times he is curious what it might be like to vault a railing at the mall, or step in front of a moving car and knock on it's hood. I have the gray hair to show for this. We are seeking through this awesome opportunity, a trained Autism Service Dog.

Please help give Alexander the opportunity for a better life, a safer life, a sense of security that would also help Alexander to become better at socializing in the general public. These kids look just fine but are judged as odd or a discipline issue when really, they just see our world through different eyes and are deserving of patience and acceptance. An Autism Service dog would help Alexander tremendously with this. Your help no matter how great or small will go a long way, please help make our wish come true, for Alexander to be given this blessing of an opportunity.

We are so grateful!
God Bless...The Lubrant Family

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