Frequently Asked Questions

How do you decide who gets a dog?

We believe service dogs should be made available to anyone with a disability who wishes to have the love, companionship, and independence that are the result of service dog placement.

How much does a dog cost?

A large majority of the service dog agencies list their dogs as "no cost to the recipient," which is often taken to mean "free." However, their dogs are not free. The agency placing the dogs, "at no cost to the participant" has received donations for the funding of the dog placed. In other words, someone other than the recipient paid for the training of his or her dog.

These agencies have a person, or a small number of people, doing the fundraising. They are able to raise funds on a limited basis and those dogs are then trained and placed.

Because they are limited in the number of people fundraising, they can only offer a certain number of dogs per year and usually develop a long waiting list. Most agencies with these "free." dogs have waiting list averaging from 2 – 5 years.

At 4 Paws For Ability it costs $22,000 to train and place a service dog with a disabled child. However, our families engage in fundraising activities as volunteers for 4 Paws to qualify for a free service dog. Each family is asked to help raise at least $13,000.

Do you accept applications for psychiatric service dogs for placement with adult partners or Guide Dogs for people who are visually impaired?

Not at this time. Every type of service dog placement has its own challenges and our program is not set up to address these types of placement. We feel these types of service dog should be placed by those who specialize in this type of work...just as not just any service dog provider can create a successful Autism Assistance Dog team not every provider can create a successful Psychiatric Service Dog or Guide Dog team.

We feel that every service dog team should have the best agency for the type of dog they need with the most knowledge on the intricacies of their needs in a placement working with them. If you are an adult who needs a Psychiatric Service Dog or Guide Dog please do an Internet Search to find an agency that specializes in this type of placement. There are some wonderful agencies out there that provide these types of service dogs.

Who attends training and why is it done that way?

4 Paws is one of the few agencies in the United States to work with very young children and to have no age requirement. We are the only agency existing in the United States which has been placing service dogs with children who have Autism for almost 10 years and are the leading provider of Autism and other specialty trained dogs for children.

It is extremely important when working with children that the dog attach to the child from the beginning. We have found through our vast experience that if the dogs bond first with the parent it can be difficult and sometimes impossible to transfer that bond to the child. Because of this the child attends training with the dog and is there from the first meeting to begin the bonding process immediately.

Although the children may not participate in training during the day after, if it is too stressful for them or they are just not able to handle it, the time at the hotel with the dog is invaluable to the success of the placement. Children who are able to participate in training and enjoy it are welcome to participate as much as possible.

We do require that two responsible adults attend training, one must be a parent or the legal guardian and the other parent is strongly encouraged to attend though we understand that this is not possible for all families. In fact we encourage the entire family to be a part of our training process! When only one parent will attend another adult must come with them to help supervise the child during class time.

What will my child(ren) do during class time?

As stated above, the children who can and desire to participate may do so. However, 4 Paws has a huge state-of-the-art facility designed for children! You can read all about it on the facility page.

We have safe indoor and outdoor play areas with loads of things for the children to do including computer access for those children doing work for school or who enjoy computer games. At 4 Paws we strive to meet all the child's needs while they are here and have a lot of equipment available that might be used in the home for therapeutic purposes.

We are all about your child! The other children in the family may also participate in the training. It is a good way for them to learn how they can interact with the dog to help facilitate the bond between the child the dog is trained for and the sibling receiving the dog. However, they are also welcome to enjoy the many play areas set up for the children. We do have some baby items as well, a crib, high chair, and mats.

Our child has disabilities that seem to fall into two categories of service dogs. Can you help?

Absolutely. We welcome families who may not fit the typical service dog concept and specialize in cutting edge placements and creative solutions for unconventional placements. Click here to learn about our multipurpose service dogs!

Do you have any kind of support system for families of children you accept?

We have an online support network for our 4 paws families. We allow all of our clients access to each other so that our graduates can communicate with each other and help our new families through the process! We feel this speaks to our quality of service! As of January 30, 2009, 400 teams have graduated from 4 paws!

We already have pets in our home. Will this disqualify us, or make problems for us?

Our dogs are trained to work even with the distractions created by other household pets. We believe that asking a family to give up their current furry family members to obtain a service dog promotes the societal view that the animals in our lives are commodities to be thrown away when no longer convenient. In keeping with this respect for the animals in our lives, we also encourage our families to keep their dogs when they are retired or can no longer work because of health issues.

What kind of funding options do you offer?

We provide a wide range of funding options. We have no eligibility requirements beyond a physician statement that the person requesting a service dog has a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and which falls within the programs provided here at 4 Paws. We find creative, innovative means of assisting people with severe disabilities with solutions for handling the dog.

Our child is unable to handle a dog. Do you certify parent-child teams?

We do make placements on a three-unit team. All of the placements we make with children or adults who have disabilities which prevent them from handling a dog though they would benefit from the dog's tasks on a three-unit team. We have seen great things happen when children and dogs are paired. As the dog migrates the child's disability through trained tasks the child gains independence, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

Fundraising Support

Read about our 4 Paws Fundraising support team. Families who have completed the process helping new 4 Paws families to fulfill their fundraising requirement!

At 4 Paws, the money doesn’t come out of the recipient’s pocket either. What we have done is to create a fundraising requirement. We form a working relationship with the recipient to have them raise money for 4 Paws in order to then qualify to receive a dog. The family is raising funds for 4 Paws for Ability as a volunteer to support our mission and goals. In this manner, the waiting list we have is only as long as it takes the person to complete their fundraising requirement.

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.

Here is an example, which might help you understand. Most people are familiar with Habitat For Humanity, a group that builds new houses or renovates old houses for people who can’t afford to buy a house on their own. Once a person applies and is accepted to receive a house, they then have a "work requirement." This person must now spend 300 hours helping to build houses for other people before they will be given a house.

Brandon and 4 Paws Companion Dog, Kalli

I can’t even begin to tell you how many of our recipients were astounded when they finished their requirement and said,"Wow, look what I did." In this way, their service dog has become an empowering influence in their life even before they get him/her! Fundraising takes commitment on your part, but just think at the end of the process you can be very proud of this accomplishment, as we hand you the leash and send you of on a new and exciting journey in your life.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Fundraising Process

Here are the most common questions asked about our fundraising process

How much money do I have to raise before I qualify for a dog?

4 Paws asks each family to fund raise at least $13,000 as a volunteer for 4 Paws. Most agencies use program development personnel to raise the money needed to train and place service dogs. Because of this they are limited to whatever this person or people can bring in over the course of a year. By using our clients as volunteer fundraisers we are able to operate on a much larger budget, which means we can place far more dogs and do not have to utilize a waiting list. This is good news for you! The funding you are raising is used to support the 4 Paws mission of placing service dogs with disabled children. Once your fundraising requirement is complete you will then qualify to receive one of our specially trained dogs. It will cost 4 Paws $22,000 to place a service dog with your child so any amount of money you raise that exceeds your minimum requirement of $13,000 will certainly make it possible for us to train even more dogs for more children.

4 Paws will assist you with fundraising ideas. We have a handout titled Fundraising – A Great Start with many wonderful ideas on ways to raise money for 4 Paws. These ideas will usually bring in much, if not all of the money needed to fulfill your fundraising requirement. This amazing document is provided as part of the acceptance packet only.

4 Paws service dog, Faith relaxing with her partner at the hotel during the two weeks of intensive placement training.

Remember, 4 Paws is not asking you to go out and fundraise for yourself, independent of 4 Paws. You are required to "volunteer" to fundraise for 4 Paws For Ability as a sort of "partnership" in providing a service dog to you. We are here to guide you, approve all fundraising efforts, make changes on all material going out to the public, and offer suggestions to improve your efforts. You will not be sent out to raise money on your own, which can seem very overwhelming, you are volunteering for and working with 4 Paws. We will be here to support your efforts in any way that we can.

4 Paws is a 501(c)(3) agency. This means that not only is the donation tax deductible by the person donating it but also that we are accountable to the IRS for our fundraising efforts. In addition there are agencies policies in regards to how fundraising is done. For these reasons, all fundraising efforts must be cleared through 4 Paws.

You will need to call and/or email us with your activities. On the fundraising handout you will find the following statement "Keep a detailed account of all your contacts including but not limited to, schools, universities and colleges, churches, media other agencies, businesses, or funding sources. Provide updates on your fundraising efforts weekly." If we have a problem with how a letter or flier is worded, we will provide alternate wording.

If an activity is not acceptable we will explain and offer an alternative means of raising the money. There are specific ways the money raised through the means on the handout Fundraising – A Great Start should be collected and/or supplied to 4 Paws and these will be shared with you at the time that we discuss the fundraiser with us. If you were just to go out and "do it on your own," you might accidentally misrepresent the fundraising process to the donors or create a legal issue that we would then have to deal with. Remember, in essence you are volunteering your time and fundraising efforts to 4 Paws in order to qualify for a dog from our agency.

What happens if I can’t fundraise the entire amount?

We have placed over 500 dogs and have never had an applicant who truly put effort into fundraising who could not raise the total amount of their fundraising requirement. It does take time; funds do not come in overnight. 4 Paws will continue to work with you for as long as it takes. Generally the fundraising takes 3-9 months.

Service Dog in Training, Kicker, graduates from basic obedience

However, if you were to raise half, three-fourths, etc. of the money and then quit your fundraising efforts, stating you no longer wish to participate in this process, no dog will be placed with you. The donations you helped to raise for 4 Paws are not returned. These are monies given to 4 Paws as a donation and will be used by 4 Paws to continue our service dog placement services. Please be clear on this topic of discussion, 4 Paws will NOT quit working with you as long as you are making the efforts needed. We will support you in any way and stay with you until all funds are raised. No family who has honestly worked at fundraising has not received their dog!

What if I can afford to just pay the money or my family wants to just pay the money?

4 Paws Service Dog Puppy, Liberty

If the person fails to meet the contracted agreement and no dog is placed, or a dog is removed after placement, the money donated is not returned. Remember it is a donation NOT a fee paid for the dog and fundraising is not the only requirement you must meet to get a dog.

How do I know that the money I bring into 4 Paws is credited to my efforts?

You will be asked to tell anyone making a donation to 4 Paws because of efforts on your part, to include your name on their check or to attach a letter, newspaper clipping, etc. that shows the donation is in your name and should be added to your list of donations secured for 4 Paws.

Each time a check comes in with a notation indicating your name, it is noted on your records. A letter of thanks is sent to the person who made the donation to 4 Paws that they can use for tax purposes.

At the time your records show you have met your requirement, your case is officially opened and a dog is placed into training for you.

What happens if extra money comes in?

All donations that come in are made to 4 Paws and not to you personally. Any extra funds that come in as a result of your efforts are used to provide service dogs to people with disabilities.

Does completion of my fundraising requirement guarantee me a dog?

Completion of the fundraising requirement assures that you are eligible for a dog and that 4 Paws will supply a dog trained specifically to meet your needs. Once the dog is fully trained, you must still meet with the trainer to learn about the dog and get to know him or her.

Participate in training with the dog at the training center, in public and within your home. Make all training sessions, with the dog, after the dog is placed, and maintain the training contract you signed prior to fundraising as well as the placement contract you will sign when the dog is placed in the home.

You should also know that how the dog is placed is not guaranteed by the fundraising requirement. Let’s say you have been approved for a Mobility Assistance Dog and wish to take this dog into the public. You have finished raising money and the dog has been fully trained. However, after the training period is over, you have not been able to demonstrate that you can handle the dog in public; the dog will then NOT be placed for use in public.

You will sign an agreement stating you understand the dog is for home use only until at some later date you may be then able to demonstrate better control of the dog. If you fail to follow through on your requirements for getting a dog at any point during the entire process, from fundraising through maintenance of yearly certification the dog will not be placed or may be removed from your home.

Again, please be assured, 4 Paws will provide a dog that was chosen and trained specific to your needs. Your ability to handle the dog determines if the dog is placed for use in the home or for use in public as well.

If you fail to come for training with the dog (out of state) or training sessions (in state), no dog will be placed. Therefore the only reason no dog would be placed at this point would be as a direct result of your failure to meet the training requirements. 4 Paws cannot simply hand someone a trained dog.

The recipient must learn how to use the dog both in the home and in public.

Hopefully this has answered your basic questions. If not, please feel free to call and discuss your questions or concerns with a 4 Paws staff. We have placed more than 40 dogs in the community, using this process, and their recipients are thrilled to have them!

We look forward to beginning this exciting journey to receive a wonderful 4 Paws For Ability service dog, with you. The day the dog is placed, we guarantee all your efforts will seem light in respect to the wondrous life you and your dog will have together!

Please explain about group training in Ohio

When your 4 Paws Service Dog has finished his/her training, you will need to come to Ohio for a 1-2 week stay. During this time you will work individually and with other families to learn how to manage your new K9 partner. Our facility is a hub of activity aimed at meeting your needs and the needs of others receiving assistance dogs.

What happens when one of your dogs is discovered to be unsuitable as a service dog?

Meeko is an example. Meeko is a German line German Shepherd who was donated by a soldier who was in Iraq, and he has what we call garbage gut which means he got loose stools very easily. We felt he would do better in a pet placement than a stressful service dog placement. We placed him with an adoptive family, and here's what Jim Weber says about his new dog:

Just thought I'd let you know how Meeko is doing. WONDERFUL!!!! He has settled in at his new home quite nicely. He is a happy, healthy, and very intelligent dog with a great disposition. He has socialized with the neighbors dogs, as well as other dogs at the park and pet store extremely well.

Even with lots of distractions, he minds his manners and pays attention to my commands. We play/train in the yard every day, and we have been going to Prairie Oaks parks to walk and run for at least another hour each day. In less than a week he has almost mastered "loose leash" walking. And he is rapidly learning my commands and signals.

For an 11-month-old dog, his ability to learn and behave is amazing. I am using positive reinforcement for his training. He is a natural for it. Meeko is gentle, patient, and very loving. He does not pester me for food, bark when he has to wait, or chew on anything while alone. My vet was really impressed with him and his behavior when he went in this week. He is in perfect health and weighs 64 lbs.

We both agreed that he should be about 80 -85 lbs once he's filled out. (Boy, can he eat!!!) In short, I could not have dreamed of a better dog. I cannot thank you enough. The programs and care you have given him have done wonders. I have told every one I know (and a few I didn't know) about your program. What you do for these animals, and the people lucky enough to adopt them is nothing short of a miracle.

Should we get a service dog? Are we raising our hopes too high?

Spring 2010. Julie B. emailed Karen Shirk of 4 Paws for Ability to express concerns about seeking an autism service dog for her son, Tyler. Shirk forwarded Julie's letter to Maggie, whose son, Danny, just got his service dog in March. Following are Julie and Maggie's messages:

To Karen Shirk from Julie B:

I so appreciate what you all are doing, but have a question. First a little background. Our son, Tyler, is almost 11. He weighs close to 90 pounds. He is non-verbal for all practical purposes, hyperactive, screams, and yells when he gets upset, hungry, or frustrated.

Tyler is also unique in that he suffered a severe regression when he was six years old from which he's never recovered. He no longer is potty trained (though he was for two years before his regression) and other than an increase in motor skills and speed, no longer makes progress of any kind. His social skills are worse than when he was a year old and what little language he has is basically non-functional. I don't like reporting all the "bad," but need you to have an accurate picture of our precious Tyler.

That said, do you see any benefit in us pursuing a service dog, as our doctor has recommended? He has two other patients who have gotten dogs from 4 Paws with success, which is why he recommended you to us. But we are concerned that the stress of having "one more thing" will not outweigh the benefit. (We have three smaller children - ages five [twins] and seven.

My husband has been talking about us getting a dog for eight years, just for a pet. In Tyler's younger years we didn't pursue it because every time we discussed it, it seemed another baby was on the way. Now that the younger children are getting older and IF an autism service dog could actually be both a benefit/a helper, as opposed to simply a "family pet," then we would like to consider it. Frankly, ANY help right now would be SO welcomed. But is our son too big for tethering? What if he doesn't bond with the dog…can the dog still help?

I'm desperate for answers. If a service dog would not be helpful, we just need an honest answer. If it is, we would love to pursue this. Our hopes/dreams have been dashed so often. We are so guarded in our hope for help of any kind anymore. We would hate to raise the money and invest the time/energy involved for our entire family, only to find out it simply won't work for Tyler.

Thank you so much for any help you can give.

Julie B.

To Julie from Maggie:

Hi Julie! First of all, I feel your pain. Your Tyler sounds a lot like our Danny. We just received Danny's service dog, Kermit, trained for tracking, tethering, behavior disruption, and seizure assist in March. Kermit's just been home for two weeks. Danny just turned 21 today! He's 6'1 and weighs 185.

I was a little nervous just because the majority of 4 Paws autism dogs were for children and not large adults like Danny. But our theory was that even if Danny's dog only aided in one task that he was trained for, it would all be worth it.

Danny has never been bowel trained and sometimes struggles with having accidents as well. He has very limited verbal skills, and only uses one- and occasionally two-word gestures.

Danny was extremely hyper as well when he was young (puberty helped a lot with this as well as help from a good psychiatrist). When Danny melts, it can be very difficult because he is so large and will throw things, hit people (anyone), etc. We struggle to keep the people around him from being hurt. Our younger son also has epilepsy, language deficits, and anxiety.

I am not going to lie to you and tell you that bringing a service dog home is a piece of cake. It does take some degree of commitment but for us it has been a "fun" sort of work. The 4 Paws dogs are so loving and eager to work. We are already seeing so much from Kermit in the few short weeks we've known him. He has already alerted seizures.

We did not intend to have Danny's dog sleep with Danny. But lo and behold, it looks like he will in fact be doing just that! It helps that he's a hound dog and loves to curl up in small places!

The bonding will take awhile just because Danny does not bond well with anyone. It's always been a work in progress for him. But Kermit really watches over Danny and it's like he waits for Danny's moments when Danny is ready to be attentive.

We keep a treat bucket in Danny's room with the "good treats," and Danny feeds him. When Danny melts, Kermit will automatically go to Danny to try to help him. We sometimes have to hold Kermit back just because Danny might hit Kermit. We don't want him to be hurt.

There are pictures on our blog of Danny recovering from a meltdown at the mall in Ohio during training. Kermit was actually trying to hug Danny. He was lapping and even laying his head on Danny's neck to comfort him. We had not been to a mall with Danny in over five years. That in itself was a blessing. Just last week we took Danny to Target with Kermit, we hadn't been to Target in over two years!

We are taking tethering very slowly just because Danny is so large. Danny actually will hold this smaller leash that they gave us at training that attaches to the dog's harness (parent still handles the main leash). When I took Kermit up to visit Danny's school, Kermit was able to track his way right to Danny's room. This is such relief and gives my husband and me a lot of peace of mind.

Danny has absolutely no fear: I've fished him out of lakes, found him in neighbor's homes, etc., and kept him from darting into traffic. I can't tell you what it's like to know that Kermit could find him if he wanders away.

We are taking it slow with Danny, and it's almost as if Kermit is ready and waiting for Danny to be ready for him. Just when I worry that Danny and Kermit aren't bonding, I'll catch them together and kind of laugh to myself! But we can already see how things will evolve over time. Like all other things, it's all what you put into it. It's also been nice to have our younger son aid in caring for Danny in a fun way by helping with Kermit.

Please feel free to e-mail me or even give me a call sometime. You can check out Danny's website and blog to see what our experience has been. 4 Paws is an awesome organization and we were blessed to find people like Karen, Jeremy, and the other staff who were willing to work with our families "unique" situation. Sorry it was such a long letter, but I oftentimes feel like you too, in that my Danny is very unique.

Maggie

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