4 Paws for Ability Mission Statement

Promoting Independent Living

Our mission at 4 Paws for Ability is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by training and placing service animals to provide them with companionship and promote independent living.

We specialize in placements with people who are turned away by many other agencies.

4 Paws for Ability relies on the generosity of individuals, as well as corporations, and accepts donations for operating expenses, training, food, toys, training supplies, medication, and our building fund. Fundraising occurs primarily by the applicant with the assistance of 4 Paws. Given our current facility expansion at 207 Dayton Avenue, alternate sources of funding are necessary to achieve the required renovation and expansion plans.

Primary Goals

• Provide as many people as possible, within the scope of our ability to serve, and with disabilities falling under the definition of such in the Americans With Disability Act (1990) with access to a qualified service animal trained specifically for their needs, regardless of age and severity of disability.
• Reduce the number of unwanted animals who would otherwise be destroyed by obtaining the majority of our animals from shelters and rescue groups.
• Increase public awareness of the laws regarding service animals and the value they provide their owners.

4 Paws Unique Competitive Advantages

1. Faster turnaround time for training and receipt of a service dog. The turnaround time for a typical 4 Paws Client (from the start of fundraising to the receipt of a service dog) is 7 - 10 months. The waiting period for most service dog organizations is 2 - 3 years, with some waits as long as 5 years.
2. Challenges are welcomed. 4 Paws is willing to reach out and tackle the more difficult placements.
3. Enviable success rate. We have a 98% success rate in placements using donated and rescue animals.
4. Flexible training. Training that can provide unique and highly customized kinds of placements.
5. Nationwide. National outreach rather primarily regional.
6. Open to more individuals. No restrictions placed on age at placement.
7. Pet Friendly. 4 Paws does not require that recipients give up their pets to receive a service dog as many agencies do.

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