4 PAWS FOR ABILITY INC

4 Paws for Ability is seeking to provide as many children as possible around the world, within the scope of our ability, with access to qualified service dogs trained specifically for their needs, with no minimum age, and regardless of the severity of the disability. It seeks to fill a gap that exists in providing children with life-threatening and other disabilities with service dogs to help them manage their disabilities and lead more independent lives. 4 Paws also honors veterans from recent combat with service dogs to assist with hearing, mobility, seizures, PTSD, TBI, and diabetes.

4 Paws for Ability utilizes hundreds of volunteers to help keep our costs down. From our foster parents who help raise our puppies, to our inmates from five Ohio correctional facilities who help train our dogs in basic obedience, to our college campus programs where students socialize the dogs—our service dogs in training are getting exposed to as many people and settings as possible. By utilizing this strategy, when the dogs are ready for their advanced training, our staff of trainers can get right to work on task-training them to the specific needs of the child or veteran.

4 Paws for Ability is a comprehensive service dog organization that strives to take the “dis" out of disability by providing Autism Assistance Dogs (with or without Search and Rescue/Tracking ability), Seizure Alert and Response Dogs, Mobility Assistance Dogs, Hearing Ear/Signal Dogs, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder/Drug Exposed Dogs, Diabetic Alert and Response Dogs, Facilitated Guide Dogs, and Multipurpose Assistance Dogs (covers multiple disabilities that can include Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Apraxia, ADHD, a variety of mental health diagnoses, medically frail children, and life-threatening medical illnesses such as cancer). The most common requested service dog is an Autism Assistance Dog with Search and Rescue/Tracking ability followed by Seizure Alert and Response Dogs. 4 Paws for Ability was the first and is the largest organization in the U.S. to place Autism Assistance Dogs with Search and Rescue/Tracking ability. 4 Paws for Ability is recognized and recommended by several national Autism organizations. Most have been referred by physicians or therapists.

Hundreds of families have realized hope for their children by getting a service dog through 4 Paws for Ability. Success measurements at 4 Paws are based on whether having a service dog has improved the lives of the child and the family. Once the family has completed their 12-day training and passed a public access test, we follow up with each family on a regular basis. In addition, the families have access to the trainers at any time through e-mail, phone, or text messaging. Another indication of success is through two closed, online groups that families can join to share their success stories. These groups allow families to remain in contact with each other, and it allows 4 Paws to continue measuring the success of our program.