THE 4 PAWS STORY

Many families with young children typically have no place else to turn as many organizations either have waiting lists or age specific requirements. Karen Shirk, the Executive Director, knows this from her personal experience. In the late 1990's, Karen was searching for a service dog but was turned down by multiple agencies during a very trying time in her life.

This experience inspired Karen to start 4 Paws for Ability, and to keep as a founding principle the willingness to provide service dogs for any individual regardless of age or disability.

To read about Karen's children, click here.

According to the latest US census, there are 52 million Americans with disabilities. Those who live with a myriad of physical and mental conditions such as hearing impairments, visual impairment, mobility problems, epilepsy, and other chronic disabilities, can be substantially limited in their major life activities.

As tools, (such as assistance dogs), are made available to help increase community acceptance and participation of people with disabilities, all of society benefits. By facilitating increased participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life, we strengthen society by assuring the diversity of its active members.

Of the 52 million people with disabilities in the US, only 1% use service dogs. The demand for these dogs far exceeds the supply and securing one is often a frustrating process. The people looking for service dogs often spend years following paper trails and sitting on waiting lists only to be denied services. Most service dog providers have multiple year waiting lists and restrictive eligibility criteria. Training a service dog is costly.

Most service dog providers report a cost of 12,000 - 16,000 dollars per dog. It is especially difficult to secure service dogs for children, people with "hidden" disabilities, and people with severe disabilities. Needless to say, a majority of people seeking service dogs give up their dream of having one and never experience the freedom, love, compassion, miracles, and healing that these wonderful dogs provide to their human partners.

Funding of a 4 Paws' service dog is the responsibility of the applicant. Applicants typically use fund-raising activities to gather these funds, and 4 Paws assists the applicant as necessary. Costs of an individual's service dog ranges from $250 to $14,000, based upon the level of training required for the specific applicant's need. Training of a $16,000 fully capable service dog takes approximately 5-7 months plus 10 days to train the recipient with their dog.

Our growth is a reflection of the demand for 4 Paws' trained dogs, and the positive word-of-mouth generated by our Clients. The 4 Paws' non-discrimination policy and our ability to deliver successful, timely placements have been noticed by resources that are in need of service dogs, particularly those with autistic children. This increased demand has required 4 Paws to grow proportionally.

We have expanded our dog care staff, increased the number of trainers, and have undergone significant facility expansions in 2006. The 2006 expansion - the purchase of a VFW hall for conversion into a comprehensive training and residential facility - is our most aggressive effort to date.

A good deal of our fundraising and operational energies over the next 12-18 months will focus on turning this new facility into a fully functional center.

The current facilities are capable of accommodating and producing the 60 dogs we anticipated delivering in 2007. 4 Paws receives at least 10 applications a month and the numbers are growing rapidly, 60% of the applications received are for Autism Assistance Dogs, and the remainder is for children with a variety of disabilities such as seizures, Spina Bifida, and Cerebral Palsy.

A small number of dogs (less than 5%) are trained for adults each year. 4 Paws is establishing itself nationally as the agency to contact for Autism Assistance dogs.

To read the story of how Ben inspired Karen Shirk to start 4 Paws for Ability, click here.

Ben The Heavens looked down upon my life and saw my suffering. The spirits in all their wisdom could not end them, for it was not within their power. As I prayed for death, the Heavens opened up, and into my life came love, courage, protection, a friend, a confidante, a partner in life. He is the most beautiful spirit I have ever seen, and I call him Ben. ©Copyright 1996 by Karen Shirk

At 4 Paws For Ability, Inc. we are breaking through the boundaries.

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.

We find creative, innovative means of assisting people with severe disabilities with solutions for handling the dog.

We will certify a parent - child team so that young children unable to handle a dog on their own can still benefit from the loving friendship that is magically created when children and dogs become a team.

We also provide some extremely unique services. We provide children with disabilities such as Autism, ADD, and ADHD, street certified companion dogs.

These dogs are certified and protected under the ADA as service dogs providing emotional support, however, the certification is given in the parents name.

The dog can then accompany the child to a variety of therapy and medical appointments providing a constant in their ever changing world.

People with seizure disorders often die during seizure occurring at night due to suffocation. Seizure assistance dogs are trained to remove pillows and covers from the bed at the onset of a seizure, quite possibly saving their partners life. In addition, they can be trained to then go and get help from other family members living in the home.

A child goes to the park with his parents. Perhaps he makes funny noises. Perhaps he walks in circles. Perhaps she can not talk. Perhaps she uses a wheelchair. The other children go out of their way to avoid them.

A child goes to the park with his parents and a new furry friend. Perhaps he makes strange noises. Perhaps he walks in circles. Perhaps she cannot talk. Perhaps she uses a wheelchair. The other children run to greet them … another doggie miracle!

If you would like to help by making a donation,
please click here to go to the donation page. And thank you so much!

Please feel free to contact us for further information. 4 Paws For Ability was founded after our founder, Karen Shirk’s long, frustrating quest for a service dog.

No one is ever turned down based on severity or lack of severity of disability or due to inability to pay. However, recipients must show an ability to care for the animal either themselves or through a family member. There are no age restrictions. However, if the applicant is a young child a parent must be trained as well and placement is made to the parent (older children may test for independent use of their service dog).

Watch the Videos of Ben, the Miracle Dog

• Ben's Story Part 1
• Ben's Story Part 2

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