Record last updated 2024/10/24 Comment on this info .Update this info

Narrative

Provides trained service dogs. Training is recipient-specific and includes autism, mobility, signal/hearing ear, seizure assistance, and emotional support.

Tasks include:

Behavior Disruption - This task is beneficial for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, FASD, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Processing Disorder, etc.

High & low blood sugar detection - 4 Paws service dogs can be trained in high and low blood sugar detection for children with diabetes, by responding to the smell of the chemical body changes that occur as blood sugar levels increase or drop. Uniquely trained to the scent of the individual they are placed with, service dogs can detect and alert to the changes, oftentimes long before adverse medical reactions occur.

Mobility - 4 Paws service dogs can be trained to work alongside children and veterans to mitigate mobility challenges including supporting someone with challenges walking, or by pulling a wheelchair. They can also be trained to turn light switches on and off, item retrieval, and other crucial mobility-related tasks. These skills can support the independence of the individual allowing them to better access the world around them.

Scent and behavioral seizure response - 4 Paws service dogs can be trained to recognize scent changes related to epilepsy and smell the chemical body changes that occur during, and at times even before, an individual may have a seizure and will bark to alert for help. This allows a parent or other trained adult to respond to the seizure and provide life-saving interventions such as clearing airways, going to the hospital, administering medication, etc.

Tethering - 4 Paws service dogs can be trained to work with children whose disabilities result in wandering or eloping behavior. These dogs are handled by a parent and are trained to wear a harness that is connected to the child, which acts as an anchor, preventing the child from wandering off or getting into potentially dangerous situations.

Tracking - 4 Paws service dogs can be trained to use their exceptional sense of smell to find and follow a specific scent trail and locate a child who may have wandered away or gotten lost, such as a child with autism who has eloped. These dogs will lead parents to the child, to support their swift and safe recovery.

Service Types

• Service animals

Program Type

• Personal Care
• Service Animals

Populations Served

• Autism Spectrum
• Cerebral Palsy
• Diabetes
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Joint Disorder
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Physical Disabilities
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Visual Impairment

Ages Served

• 5 - 8
• 9 - 13
• 14 - 18
• 19 - 22
• 23 – 59
• 60 +

Additional Information

• Fees: Personal Funds