“When my son was having difficulty communicating, we started speech therapy at 18 months old. When it was determined he had fine and gross motor issues, we started occupational therapy at 3.
When he started getting aggressive during his meltdowns (especially towards himself) at 6, I didn’t know what to do. But I knew we needed help.
Then I found 4 Paws.
It’s hard to believe it’s been over seven years since we met Mulder. He’s been an incredible part of Joe’s life, growing up alongside him from the age of 8 to now, almost 16. Joe has changed so much over the years, and Mulder has been there through it all.
Initially, we hoped Mulder would simply help Joe manage his meltdowns. What we received was so much more – a devoted best friend and unwavering companion for Joe.
Mulder helps with things I never even thought to hope for. How long were we trying to help him get more sleep? Since the day he was born probably. We tried EVERYTHING. From the first night with Mulder, Joe started sleeping all night long.
Mulder brings him out into the world and helps him interact with all kinds of people just by giving him so much practice… Everyone wants to talk to the kid with the doodle with the big eyebrows.
Most importantly, Mulder’s constant presence gives Joe a sense of peace that I could never provide, no matter how hard I tried. By knowing that Mulder is always by his side to help if he needs it, Joe’s anxiety is so much lower than I could have ever hoped.
I never realized how much of our family’s life was structured around Joe and his needs and the kind of day he was having until I didn’t need to do that anymore. We can get out of the house as a family and enjoy ourselves now. 4 Paws truly has given our family their life back. But for Joe? They’ve given him a life he didn’t know was possible until he had his furry best friend at his side.
4 Paws has been through our side the whole time. Whenever we had questions about training or were having an issue, it didn’t matter if we were out of class 7 months or 7 years, they were there to help. Through 4 Paws, we now have a community of other families like ours to support and understand what our lives look like. It can be very isolating as a special needs family, but I now have friends that are like family through the connections I made at 4 Paws.
As wonderful as Mulder is, it’s been clear that he’s starting to slow down some. Just a couple of months ago we went through class again to meet another best friend for Joe… Maggie.
Two service dogs in the house has been amazing. Mulder is not only a wonderful on the job mentor to Maggie, he also happens to be her uncle. It’s so fun to see the many similar personality traits in both dogs. 4 Paws has done the impossible and found us our perfect match… again.
Maggie has been so in tune with Joe since the first day we brought her home in class. Now I take comfort in knowing that Joe will have a great companion to take him into adulthood, always walking by his side.
Thanks to the many donors who give to 4 Paws, they can place these lifesaving and life-changing dogs with families like mine. Honestly, I can’t imagine where my family would be without our 4 Paws dogs. And I’m eternally grateful that I don’t have to try.”
-Stephanie, mom of Joe & Mulder
When you give to the Infinite Impact Fund, you’re not just helping one child—you’re making a difference for every family receiving a service dog this year. So far, donations to 4 Paws have already funded 20 service dog teams. But we still have 100 more to go. That’s where you come in!