Have you considered getting your child a dog to help them navigate daily life with a disability? The 4 Paws for Ability organization is a great way to find the right 4-legged friend. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this program and how it works. Let’s get right into it!
What is 4 Paws for Ability?
4 Paws for Ability is a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to children and veterans with disabilities. The dogs placed by 4 Paws for Ability are raised and trained to assist disabled individuals- they’re not like your run-of-the-mill barkers. The organization is also responsible for training the recipient and the dog in preparation for the upcoming transition. They also assist with ongoing dog care and issues as necessary.
What Types of Service Dogs Does 4 Paws for Ability Have?
As you may already know, service dogs are not like the typical woofer. They have gone through specialized training to provide targeted support at any given moment. 4 Paws for Ability primes dogs to help with the following:
- Behavior disruption for children who may be prone to tantrums and behavioral difficulties
- Alerts for the deaf or hard of hearing – sirens, alarms, etc.
- Mobility assistance to make it easier for the child to walk or move around in a wheelchair
- Seizure response to alert others when a child is having a seizure or may have one soon.
- Tethering to reduce the chances of a child wandering away or getting lost.
- Tracking to find a child who has gotten lost.
- Blood sugar detection to alert someone when a child’s blood sugar is too high or low.
The services these dogs provide can help children with any of the following disabilities:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Downs Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Spina Bifida
- FASD
- Blindness
- Deafness
*This is not a complete list of disabilities for which these dogs might be suitable.
How Much Does a Dog Cost?
Substantial expenses go into raising and training these support dogs. According to 4 Paws for Ability, one dog costs $40,000 to $60,000, and the family must be willing to pay for about half of that amount or obtain it through fundraising.
How to Apply for a Dog
Parents who want to apply for a dog for their child will use this 4 Paws for Ability application. It outlines identifying information, disability information, emergency contact information, and more. The nonrefundable application fee is $50 at the time of this writing.
After the application is reviewed, you’ll go through the rest of the process, outlined below:
- You’ll receive a confirmation email and any forms your child’s doctor must complete. You’ll also need two letters of recommendation from people who aren’t part of your family.
- You’ll have a phone interview to see if 4 Paws for Ability has a dog that can complete the tasks your child needs.
- You’ll receive a contract outlining the tasks your dog would be able to perform for your child.
- You’ll go through an acceptance course with your dog to learn how to care for it.
- After the class, your child will go home with their dog! 4 Paws for Ability provides ongoing support afterward.
For in-depth information about the process, read this client process page.
Other Resources to Consider
If you’ve determined that 4 Paws for Ability is not for you and your child, that’s okay. There are other options available. They include:
- NEADS – Service dogs for children with autism (ages 8 to 16) or physical disabilities (12 years and older)
- Canine Companions – Service dogs for children, vets, and adults with disabilities.
- The Malinois Foundation – Affordable custom service dogs for children with disabilities who are at least five years old.
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about 4 Paws for Ability. We hope you found all the information you were looking for, and we wish you the best in your search for a furry friend for your child.
