News and Events
Newspaper, Web, & General Coverage
July 18, 2008 TOPEKA, KANSAS Help for Topeka 4-year old Could Come with Four Paws by Melissa Brunner, WIBW.com. If it weren't for the helmet he wears, you wouldn't think JJ Krentz was different from any other four-year old. His mom, Tiffanie, describes him as rambunctious and high energy, always laughing with a big, bright smile. But JJ also has Dravet Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes seizures and cognitive delays. Tiffanie and Kevin don't know when the next seizure might hit....Tiffanie says people can fall from a seizure and suffer a brain injury, or they may suffer one in their sleep "and they don't wake up the next morning." JJ's family is trying to raise $11,000 so they can purchase a dog specially trained to alert them when a seizure is coming on July 16, 2008 CNN taps Karen Shirk as Hero. "It's the magic of dogs. That's how Karen Shirk explains the ability of service dogs to help children suffering from autism. "I'm sure there's some sort of scientific explanation," she says. "But I call it magic." Shirk is featured online, including a story and several videos, and her coverage will get a brief intro July 17 on The Larry King Live Show on CNN. July 11, 2008 BUDD LAKE, NEW JERSEY Man's best friend may help kids with autism by Julie O'Connor of the New Jersey Star Ledger. Will Polak is the rare 7-year-old who hates toy stores. After about 15 minutes in the shopping cart, his parents say the low ceilings, other children or toy selection can overwhelm him to the point of a meltdown. And when their son screams, hits himself or flails around, other shoppers don't understand Will is autistic and having a bad day. To help him cope, his parents are seeking help -- from an $11,000 service dog. June 28, 2008 MAYVILLE, MICHIGAN Autism: The ‘roller coaster’ ride by Courtney Rabideau, Tuscola County Advertiser. "Braeden Ball is giggling as his mother, Cyndi, tickles him on a routine Tuesday morning. After playing with foam letters covered in applesauce, Braeden runs around the pool with excitement, anticipating the time when he can finally get in. Like any other six-year-old boy, Braeden also loves wrestling with his older brother, Dylan, and spending time in front of the television. But, unlike most six-year-old boys, Braeden has autism, a developmental disorder that has placed his family on what his father, John, describes as a 'constant roller coaster.'" June 22, 2008 CINCINNATI, OHIO. Organization links disabled with therapy dogs "It's Basil's turn now," she says and, guiding Matthew's hand, tosses the red and blue ball to the floor. Basil, a 10-month-old golden retriever, chases the ball and returns it to her. Now, it's Matthew's turn to play," says Powell, who helps her son toss the ball again. The boy laughs as Basil hurries to retrieve the ball, and the game starts all over. Matthew, 7, is severely autistic. He also has cerebral palsy and other medical problems. He uses a feeding tube and often needs a wheelchair. June 13, 2008 NORWALK, OHIO. Teen in need gets new dog, by Aaron Krause: Since June 1, James Griggs has been asking his mother several times a day when he'd receive the e-mail introducing him to his new dog. James, 17, and his parents were just told it's a black Labrador retriever named Takoda, who is almost 1. At James' insistence, his name will be changed to Runner....the canine whose name will soon change will do much more for James than provide companionship. The Norwalk teenager is afflicted with autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. June 11, 2008 BUDD LAKE, NEW JERSEYBUDD LAKE, NEW JERSEY No offense to cat lovers out there, but this Budd Lake family has a need only a furry canine can fulfill, and they need your help. Bill and Roberta Polak are raising funds on behalf of 4 Paws For Ability, a non-profit organization specializing in training and placement of service dogs for disabled children. The Polaks are committed to raising $11,000, the cost of training an autism service dog for their 7-year-old son, Will. Flanders, New Jersey News. June 5, 2008 Man's Best Friend Becomes Autistic Children's Best Friend by Betsey Bruce, KTVI-My Fox St Louis. Man's best friend is now doubling as parents' best friend when the family has a child with autism. Service dogs trained for specific children become companions and nannies watching over their charges. The dogs know to keep the disabled child in a safe area, away from cars. Should the autistic child wander away many of the dogs are trained in search and rescue techniques and can find them quickly. June 4, 2008 Service dog denied to school. In May, CBS 3 Springfield news showed a story about a seven year old Chicopee boy who, after much fundraising, finally received a service dog to help him with his disabilities. But his mother is fighting another battle, to get the service dog allowed into school. But the one place Kita can't be with Adam, is at school. Sue Byczko began asking Chicopee school officials last fall about bringing his service dog into school, but she was denied. "No one has given me any documentation to prove that having the dog with Adam during the school day would in anyway have a positive impact on either his health safety, or access to the educational program," said Richard Rege, the Superintendent of Chicopee Public Schools. Article and accompanying video from CBS3, Springfield. June 3, 2008 Service dogs join the fight against autism by Karen Meyer. Service dogs have done wonders for people with physical, hearing and visual impairments. Now they are helping children with autism. Although, service dogs for families dealing with autism is relatively a new therapeutic tool, it is making a difference for a preschooler who attends Benson Primary School in Itasca. Five-year-old Zachary Woosley and Gemini, a two-year-old chocolate lab, have been together over year. ABC 7, Chicago. May 27, 2008 Bill 767 aka "Jake's Law" into Maryland state law. To view the details of the law, click here. The law extends the rights and privileges currently afforded to blind and deaf individuals to ALL individuals with disabilities as well as to the parents of a minor child with a disability. And here's more coverage on this issue:
Seizure alert dogs, owners will now get equal access. May 23, 2008 Mans best friend is changing the life of a 7 year-old Chicopee boy. Kita isn't your average dog. Though she catches balls and loves treats, she also has a nose for sensing when Adam Byczko needs help. "She was trained in scent discrimination," explained Sue Byczko, Adam's mother. Adam is diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome. He has limited speech, autistic tendencies, and two years ago, began having seizures. Article and accompanying video from CBS3, Springfield. May 13, 2008 Click here to go directly to the Autism Dog article: Note: This article is only accessible through the above link for 7 days from the date of this e-mail. After that it can be found in Ivanhoe's archive using the "Search Reports" box on the left side of every page of http://www.ivanhoe.com. May 11, 2008 Helping paws by Linda Ann Chomin. Pam Williams was joking when she first mentioned getting a dog to pull son Daniel off the fence when he tries escaping the back yard. She knew about the different tasks Leader Dogs perform to keep blind and visually impaired people safe so why not autistic children. Williams went to the Web and found 4 Paws for Ability in Ohio. The nonprofit agency trains service animals to meet the special needs of people with disabilities. May 2008 A boy and his dog: Service animal can accompany boy with autism almost anywhere, except school. Sunday, May 11, 2008, by Rebecca Droke. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Jiffy, an 18-month-old black Labrador retriever mix, is a professionally trained skilled autism service dog who accompanies 8-year-old Bradley Dallatore almost everywhere, including visits to his dentist and doctor. Jiffy also regularly goes to church, restaurants and shops with the Canton boy and his family. But Jiffy has been barred from the Trinity West Elementary School, where Bradley is a first-grader in a special education class for children with autism. April 2008 Seizure Detecting Canine. WHITE COUNTY -- Amy Weasel's now 4-year-old son Bryant is one of only about 600 people in the U.S. diagnosed with a seizure disorder called Dravet. "He had his first seizure when he was 3-months-old, and from that time he's gotten worse," said Weasel. Article and accompanying video from WSIL TV. April 2008: Decision won't be made in a 'Jiffy', by Dawn Keller, Observer-Reporter.
Trinity Area School Board members allowed a family with a service dog to attend their meeting Thursday but said that doesn't automatically mean the dog can come to school.
April 2008: Special Dog - Autistic son needs your help, by Diana LaMattina, Cayuga County News...Alec Rowley jumps up from playing a Sesame Street video game and flaps a cloth tape measure in front of his face while skipping around his Seneca Falls living room. His parents, Bob and Kari Rowley, watch as their 5-year-old son "stims" - a slang term for a self-stimulatory behavior that provides sensory stimulation for people with autism. April 2008: Autistic Boy Banned From Taking Dog To Trinity School. WXPI.com says 7-year-old Bradley Dallatore has autism and “Jiffy,” his service dog, helps calm his frustrations and anxieties. Dallatore’s parents have filed a complaint after they said the Trinity School District banned Bradley from bringing Jiffy to school. April 2008. Parents of autistic son with service dog file complaint. The parents who aren't permitted to bring a service dog to school for their 7-year-old autistic son have filed a complaint against Trinity School District with the U.S. Department of Justice. By Dawn Keller, Observer-Reporter. April 2008. Anchorage Alaska, KTTU Channel 2: Red Cross recognizes 'Real Heroes'.Though they think of themselves as ordinary Alaskans, the Red Cross prefers to call them heroes. The Red Cross of Alaska held its annual Real Heroes breakfast Tuesday, honoring 17 people and one pet for saving or bettering the lives of others. When shots rang out at the Dimond Center...
And here is the Channel 2 video.
April 2008.Woodstock: Canine caretakers in class? Northwest Herald article by Jenn Wiant. Like other 6-year-olds, Maggie Oefelein sometimes gets distracted and wanders away from her parents. And when something upsets her, she screams. But as an autistic child, Maggie does not respond when her parents call her, and her meltdowns can be more frequent and severe than those of another child, said her father, John. April 2008. Parents claim Trinity illegally blocking service dog from school By Dawn Keller, Observer-Reporter. Trinity Area School District officials will not allow the mother of an autistic boy to enter his school building if she brings his service dog. Click to read more... April 2008. Family Of Autistic Boy Battle School Over Service Animal: NORTH FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A Washington County community kicked in $13,000 to buy a specially trained dog for a little boy battling autism, but his school won't let the dog inside the building. Click here for the full article... April 2008. Boy’s best friend: Marietta Times, by Connie Cartmell. "The newcomer" says this article about a child's new Autism Assistance Dog, "joins Beth Ann and Toby Eddy, their children, Craven, 5, and Coe, 4, and a cranky Chihuahua determined to see the interloper out the back door, over the hill, and gone forever. The new guy’s name is Smokie and he’s staying. Read more... - April 2008. Service Dogs May Help Autistic Children: Many Parents Who Spoke to ABC News Raved About Their Experience With the Dog Therapy
By Bob Woodruff. Jennifer Plunk, mother of autistic child Matthew Plunk, finally began research that led her to 4 Paws for Ability, "...one of several organizations that trains and places dogs to work specifically with autistic children, helping them to become calmer, more social, and more comfortable in the world."
- April 2008. Service Dogs Aid Some Autistic Children: ABC News highlights nine U.S. children who own service dogs.
- April 2008. ABC News Video: Canine Companions for Autistic Kids: Specially trained dogs help autistic children connect with their environment.
- March 2008. Dog helps 10-year-old function. According to The Ironton Tribune, "Trevor Hall is 10 years old, but unlike many other children his age, his autism has led to a somewhat sheltered life. Visiting public places and just going to school used to cause complete meltdowns, Trevor’s mother, Angel, said." Read the entire article here...
- March 2008. Article on Dale Wooley and 4 Paws for Abiliy. "Dale Wooley is just like any other 7-year-old boy," says the White Mountain Independent. "He loves to ride his bike, play video games and not a day goes by without him talking about his favorite thing - transformers." Read the entire article here...
- March 2008. Having Faith in Fur and 4 Paws for My Son with FASD "Since receiving our son’s diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, we have been humbled in ways we could never have expected." Read more... "FASD is like the undertow...it lies in relative silence beneath the surface of the individual gathering its energy and force. Marked by co-existing disorders and peculiar characteristics, the ebb and flow of these behaviors are not exactly invisible, but can remain hidden. Some symptoms can be as gentle as a tide or swell like a tidal wave, engulfing the individual and often the caregivers or family."
- Kentucky House of Representatives honors Alex Harpole and Service Dog, Lady, on March 5, 2008. Special recognition was given to Alex and Lady because Alex was selected by the National Epilepsy Foundation to represent Kentucky in a face-to-face meeting with lawmakers in Washington D.C., to discuss desperately needed help for children with disabilities. Alex, who has an extremely rare form of epilepsy called Dravet's Syndrome, and his mother, Carrie, will share their first-hand knowledge of what support is lacking and what is needed. Click here to see Lady's certificate, and click here to see Alex's certificate. And click here to see a video about Alex and Lady.
- 8-year-old finds new friend in specially trained German Shepherd Heroes come in all ages, races, shapes, sizes - and species, says KYPOST.com on March 1,2008: "Meet one who is only 18 months old, weighs 65 pounds, has tan and black fur, four legs and shining eyes the color of dark chocolate. Her name, Lady, fits her perfectly because she is everything it implies: gentle, responsible, helpful and loyal."
- Football 4 Paws: Fundraiser at North Forsyth benefits autism dog organization
- Dogs help children with autism be independent: The Urbana Daily Citizen
- Canine caregivers help autistic kids: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Highly trained dogs offer new life to autistic children:Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Editorial: When man's best friend became a boy's new hope: Fond du Lac Reporter
- Four-legged friend: Hurricane family brings autism-assistance service dog home: The Charleston (WV) Gazette
- Local family hopes special dog can assist autistic son: Salem Times-Commoner
- Volvo for Life Award
- Autism Epidemic: The Gainesville Sun with photo of Leo and Halo
- Anchorage Daily News: Rescuing a life. Lovable pooch brings smiles to child's face, comfort to his family
- Four-legged friend comforts autistic boy: KTTU 2 News
- Paws with a Cause: Interview with Karen Shirk by Cincinnati.com
TV Coverage
Rover Rehab: 4 Paws Prison Program
Dog and Pup Progress
Events
Radio
Top of Page
|
