“When 4 Paws for Ability was founded, it was because there was a gap and individuals weren’t having their needs met, and that was primarily children. Because children weren’t old enough, or their disabilities made it challenging for them to handle a dog, they weren’t… Read More »Executive Director, Jennifer Lutes, Discusses History, Future of 4 Paws on WOSU
You never know who will come celebrate at a 4 Paws for Ability Class Graduation, but recently we welcomed in a friend who traveled all the way from Minnesota! Alexia wasn’t just passing through either; she was here to witness service dog Freya complete her… Read More »Freya’s Long Journey & #1 Fan
“I call Terrence & Rocky, ‘The Champion Team.’ Getting a service dog for Terrence is a reality that we are so thankful for. Terrence has a condition and has been fighting since the day he was born. He has autism, severe seizures, and has experienced… Read More »“Rocky is a lot like Terrence, and he is the perfect match for our family” | Terrence & Rocky
“Clementine is very excited about her new dog, but not as much as we are. We struggle a lot with eloping and the other challenges of autism spectrum disorder, and Clementine is someone who loves attention. The first day I brought him home, Bee plopped… Read More »“We are so thankful for this dog and how incredible he is…” | Clementine & Bee
“Amelia has physical and cognitive delays, as well as some seizures and eloping that have taken place. So my wife and I wanted that extra layer of protection to give us peace of mind. The other big thing is that Amelia has a friend. She… Read More »“She now has a best friend…” | Amelia & Murphy
“There is no greater fear than losing sight of your non-verbal autistic child during an elopement, even if it’s just for one minute… To then watch how happy our service dog was as she tracked and found our little girl made me realize how life-changing… Read More »“There is no greater fear than losing sight of your child” | How 4 Paws is Helps Children with Autism in 2026
Written by KaLynn Clark, Development Director at 4 Paws for Ability My grandparents adopted a dog and gained a family. Angela and Jr Panganiban walked into 4 Paws for Ability in 2015, excited to add a dog to their family. They were a young couple… Read More »“What could have been the loneliest season […] turned into an adventure with a new friend.” | The Story of Kenobi
Living with AFib can bring daily uncertainty, but Army veteran John refused to let it define him. When he needed support, he turned to 4 Paws for Ability and found a lifeline in Porter. Together, they’ve built a partnership rooted in confidence, stability, and heart.… Read More »John & Porter Raise Awareness for American Heart Month
XENIA, OHIO, February 17, 2026 – We are thrilled to announce that we are officially accredited through Assistance Dogs International (ADI), becoming one of only five accredited organizations in Ohio. With more than 2,000 service dogs placed since 1998, this announcement represents the life-changing work… Read More »4 Paws for Ability Earns Accreditation with Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
When Xenia native Doug Targett looks back on his life, the memories are heavy with sacrifice, service, and survival. “I graduated in June of 1968 and went into the service in September of ‘68,” Doug recalls. “I went into a special unit called the Army… Read More »“I get a good 8 hours of sleep a night” | Doug & Alfie’s Story
