4 Paws for Ability Service Dogs
Do you know of a disabled person who needs a service dog? 4 Paws
for Abilities has few restrictions for acceptance and works with
most families within the boundaries of our organization's ability
to train and place the type of dog needed. We say "yes" when
many more traditional assistance dog placement agencies say "no."
Our founder is alive today because
of a service dog. She's devoted her life to making the same
kind of help available to other disabled children and adults.
Please help us continue to build our meaningful, rewarding work.
Your help will be a life-changing act
for a child, a family, a dog, and for you (it's more than a project!).
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Rest in peace, sweet Hannah
January 17, 2009.  I want to thank y'all for praying and ask for continued prayers. Our Hannah isn't going to make it. Her brain is no longer functioning. It'll be a while before I post again as I want to spend as much time with our girl as I can. Koolio is here at her side as well as her brothers and me and David. Love y'all! (Little Hannah Chapman died the same day. For more about how she touched lives and how her service dog, Koolio, touched her life, click here).
 December 17, 2009. Alberta Canada. Hannah Ellefson's new service dog rescues frozen tennis ball in below zero temperature!
Oblivious to the freezing weather and stacks of snow, brand new 4 Paws for Ability service dog, Sirius, plows into three feet of snow to retrieve his precious tennis ball. Full story...
December 15, 2009. Yesterday we had a Christmas miracle. It may seem small, but given Bekah's severe and chronic PTSD, attachment to man or beast is very difficult. Bekah has been basically mute because of pre-adoptive abuse. It's been a long road (since 2006) to get her and Griz to bond, and yesterday in the store was the very first time Bekah gave Griz a command.
She was in the shopping cart and Griz was next to her. I did cue her (and never expected her to do it). I said, "Tell him he's a good boy," and she did. Then I said, "Okay, tell him 'down'." She leaned over the side of our shopping cart and pointed to the ground (following what I'd showed her) and I'll be a monkey's uncle if he didn't lie down on the floor.
Even though I prompted her to give the command, I think this is at the very least a small Christmas miracle.
How much does a dog cost?
At 4 Paws for Ability, training ranges from $11,000 - $26,000, although our families raise only $11,000 - $14,000. It costs about $1,500 - $2,000 to maintain a service dog each year...about $100 a month. Learn more about costs...
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Dogs |
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Make
a Dream Come True |
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you or your child have disabilities that fall into two categories
of service dogs? Ask about our multipurpose service dogs!
We train our dogs case specific and
will work with you to meet your or your child's unique needs... |
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Dylan and Casey Hung, both diagnosed with autism, need a service dog to help them through some very rough spots in life...Read more about how to make a dream come true for Dylan, Casey, and their family... |
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| Donate
to 4 Paws for Ability |
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Online
Support Network |
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| We rely on
the generosity of individuals, as well as corporations, and
accept donations for operating expenses, training, food, toys,
training supplies, medication, and our building fund. Learn
more about how your donation can change lives... |
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"I was
always afraid to join a support
group, I thought all I would ever hear
was parents complain about their
special needs child, or why did God let
this happen to them. This
group has
blown me away with their love, friend-
ship, faith, and zest for life..." |
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| Frequently
Asked Questions |
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Our
Mission and Goals |
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| 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 a service dog placement... |
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We not only
serve the needs of children with disabilities, but we strive
to reduce the number of unwanted animals who would otherwise
be destroyed by obtaining the majority
of our animals from shelters and rescue groups... |
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September 2009 Service Dog Mojo soothes two of Sean's classmates! We had Sean's open house at school tonight. a mother came over and started telling me that she was so grateful that we had Mojo. Her son is in Sean's self-contained classroom and he was extremely upset and melting down BIG time. They asked him if he would like to pet Mojo. The boy said "Yes," so they took him over and Mojo lapped on him.
The boy just sat and petted and petted Mojo. They were like that for about 15 minutes, and it seemed like with every pet this little guy settled down and cried less. Mojo had done a great job and just reinforced how valuable these dogs are. On another note, I spoke with another mother who told me that her autistic son is in class with Sean and has not had a meltdown (he usually has four or five a day) in the last five school days.
He and Sean are on a similar schedule and the end of the day they both "unwind" together and usually sit and play with Mojo until it is time to leave. She thinks that this has helped him to remain calm and he knows that he can go pet Mojo if he feels upset. I know that we got Mojo for Sean and that is his primary responsibility, but for those who are still working on fundraising or are waiting for your turn at training, please know how big of an impact these dogs make!
Hospital welcomes service dog
St. Joseph Hospital West of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri ensured that Reece Gentilini awoke from surgery to find her Autism Service Dog on her hospital bed. Read "An Exceptional Surgery Experience for an Exceptional Patient" in its October 30, 2009 newsletter.
Two years later, Carson gives his first commands
 October 24, 2009 Carson has had his Service dog just over two years and I wanted to share a little milestone. Carson has autism and has little language. He loves his Service dog (Sneakers) but doesn't "talk" to him. Tonight was the first time I heard him actually give Sneakers commands. He said "Sneakers come" and "Sneakers down."
I know it seems like such a little thing to get excited about but in my world it is huge!!! Even though it has been two years since getting Sneakers it never gets old! To all of you fund raising....stay the course! Tammy Alger
Learn about our capital campaign and read our newsletter full of crucial information.
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