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By Jaki Waggamon

Elena calls Greece home, but for now, Xenia, OH is where she spends her days. She’s here completing an internship as part of the 4 Paws for Ability Foreign Internship Program. While the country and globe are speckled with legitimate service dog organizations, organizations that meet the needs of children with disabilities are extremely limited. 4 Paws has been in the business a long time, and among its accomplishments, it was the first organization to place Autism

Assistance dogs and the first to place service dogs with tracking skills. There is a global shortage of skilled service dogs for kids. The foreign internship program allows 4 Paws to help alleviate this need in as many ways as they can. It is not only placing trained service dogs with applicants, but it is also providing necessary education to people from other countries to help improve the lives of children there. In Thessaloniki, a city in northern Greece where Elena lives, three

little pups are missing her; Roopsy, a yorkshire terrier, Nina, a jack russell terrier, and May, a lovely mixed breed who wandered into her life in May. Elena’s parents and brother probably aren’t too surprised that she decided to spend months in the United States learning more about dogs - she’s been bringing home stray dogs (and kittens, and turtles, and birds, and rabbits) since she was a little girl. Her love and commitment to animals is quite sincerely, life-long. Most of her past training has

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Learning is NOT a Spectator SportElena Palagka Came to Play!

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Inside 4PawPrints | Nov-Dec 2014

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Front cover ........ Learning is Not a Spectator SportPage 3 ................ Foreign Internship ContinuedPage 4-5 ............. Ben’s CornerPage 6 ................ Love is in the AirPage 7-9 ............. December Class GraduatesPage 10-12 ......... The Adventures of Piper PapillonPage 13 ............... 4 Paws University GraduatesPage 14-15 ......... STAR Volunteer, The Christenson FamilyPage 16 ............... Construction UpdatePage 17-18 ......... Puppy ProgramPage 19 .............. ReelAbilities Film Festival - Thank you and Save the DatePage 20 ............... 4 Paws for VeteransPage 21 .............. Save the Date - Upcoming EventsPage 22-23 ........ Additional SupportersPage 24-29 ........ Your 4 Paws CELEBRATEPage 30 ............ Round of Appaws

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taken place at academies across the United States, and that’s how she found this opportunity. While searching for an organization or academy to teach her about training service dogs, a friend told her about 4 Paws and encouraged her to contact the organization about its internship program. After being accepted, she put her professional dog training and dog grooming work on hold to come here, and learn everything possible about placing service dogs with children and veterans with disabilities. Elena graciously praises Karen Shirk, CEO and Jeremy Dulebohn, Training Director for making this experience happen. In Greece, there is no Karen and Jeremy. No organization dedicated wholly to believing that all children deserve a chance. Elena wants to change that. She hopes to begin placing service dogs with both children and adults when she returns home. While here, she’s focusing on learning everything she can about the types of dogs that 4 Paws places. This

includes autism, diabetic alert, seizure alert, PTSD assistance, and balance and mobility service dogs. Long term, she wants to expand and help other European countries that also don’t have access to a service dog organization like 4 Paws. “I will be so happy if I can change people's lives and give hope and happiness to families, children and adults that they need so much” says Elena. She has big goals, but that’s nothing new to 4 Paws, especially when you remember that Karen did the same thing. She started a brand new program, serving brand new clientele, while everyone thought it was impossible. We believe Elena can change lives in Greece. In fact, we know she will.When Elena isn’t at 4 Paws, soaking up the knowledge and experience of those around her, she’s putting her other talent to use - performing Greek music concerts across the country. She performed in Chicago on New Year’s Eve. On top of performing and traveling to see everything the

US has to offer, she’s also working on a pet bereavement counseling certificate. Elena is busy, but dedicated to living her life in the service of others. She is so grateful - she says she’s found Americans to be kind, giving and fun. Brit Insley, 4 Paws Trainer, opened her home to Elena, and Elena wishes to thank her, all of the trainers and staff at 4 Paws, and especially Karen and Jeremy. 4 Paws wants to thank Elena - we work every day to enrich the lives of children, worldwide. You will always be a part of that mission, Elena.

Foreign Internship, Continued

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I love the foster care system at 4 Paws! It is always amazing to see families volunteer to raise a service dog in training knowing that they will fall in love with this sweet puppy and knowing their hearts will break when they return them. Our first foster family way back 16 years ago, was the Varick family. They would come as a family to pick up the puppy and when the time came they would bring them back and every last one of them would leave crying. Again and again they came. I am not sure of the final number of puppies they fostered but it was well into the double digits. Such a caring heart it takes to love and let go to benefit another.

Fostering puppies and housing breeding dogs is such an important element here at

4 Paws For Ability. There is no possible way for us to give them the total one on one attention or to simulate living in a home environment as foster care brings to the puppies. Every single family who takes on one of our puppies and

returns him/her plays an integral part in that dogs life as a service dog and a child or veteran will be blessed by the families’ sacrifice of love, time, energy, and an occasional shoe, toy, or other household item. You see most people take on the challenge of raising a puppy during those first 12 months because they will then have years of love and devotion from their puppy grown into the furry family member.

Our families take on those hard first months, teaching, loving, and training the puppy so that another family will have those years of love and service. That is a truly caring and selfless act of kindness.

We have two very unique “foster” experiences at 4 Paws as well. The first is our college program where older puppies are placed with a college student and live with them for one quarter. They have the ability to provide some amazing socialization experiences. We also have 5 prison programs we work with where an inmate fosters a puppy or service dog in training and teaches them house manners and basic obedience. These programs are so valuable to us and each in their own way provides a very unique

Ben’s CornerFrom the Desk of 4 Paws Executive Director Karen Shirk

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FOSTER*to encourage or promote the development of something, (typically) something regarded as good.

*bring up a child (or in 4 Paws case, puppy) that is not one's own.

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The Varick Family has grown a little bit in the last 16 years. Then again, so has 4 Paws for Ability.

Thornin is fostered in a traditional foster home. Leah, left, is also a university foster. Hannah is also exploring the possibility of becoming a university foster. Evan, is fundraising for his own 4 Paws for Ability service dog. Good thing mom, Christine, loves 4 Paws!

A dog needs a family, needs

love and attention, and

to run and play.

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4 Ben’s Corner, Continuedexperience for the puppy or young dog that is placed.

Our breeding homes are

just as important. When we made the decision to breed we knew housing the dogs at 4 Paws was not going to be right for the dogs. A dog needs a family, needs love and attention, and to run and play. The dogs who reside at 4 Paws do so for only 12 – 18 months and then they go on to live a life of service by the side of their partner. There is no dog on earth who wouldn’t want that job. To be able to be with their human at all times! The breeding dogs though, would have to stay with us for years in a kennel setting, with some trips to one of the prisons for some one on one attention. We knew we could not do this. We love our dogs too much and so from the beginning we knew we would need to utilize volunteer homes to house the dogs when they weren’t needed for breeding. The happiness of our dogs is very important to us.

The breeding homes are fantastic. They love the dogs and yet again they selflessly share them with us. When they need to be bred they are often here for 2 weeks (females) and much longer for males if we are

using them for multiple females. The females are then gone from home to deliver the puppies and care for them, typically 8 – 9 weeks. It is awesome to see the families they live with come to visit them and see how much the dogs love and adore them. With this system of housing we are able to acquire all the puppies we need for training, knowing the quality of puppy we will get and the parents are well loved and cared for with a family of their own!

Having fostered many service dogs, young puppies, and breeding dogs, I know the sacrifice these families make. I have cried many tears over the loss of a Papillon I gave my heart to only to shed just as many tears of joy seeing them with their new partners and hear ongoing stories of the changes they make in their lives. So, today I send a heartfelt salute out to every family who has or will foster a service dog in training, or house one of our breeding dogs. Your part on the successful placement of service dogs with children and veterans is important and I thank each and every one of you.

Pompidou entertains a family guest while in his foster home.

Roper, getting hugs from his foster kids!

Left: Sandy, with her golden retriever, Sammi’s, last litter, the Animaniacs, Yakko, Wakko, and Dot.

Right: Sandy, and university foster, Maddie, with Dot and her new partner, Jake.

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4 Paws for Ability is very much feeling the love. The newly married, absolutely blissful, together for life kind of love that is! We recently received two sweet notes from two very special couples, both of whom decided to donate to 4 Paws in honor of their wedding guests. We love that these new families have included our very special pups in their very special day.

Jeff & Triveni were married on October 18, 2014. They made a donation in honor of their wedding guests, in lieu of favors at the reception. They included table cards featuring a 4 Paws pup on their tables. Thank you Jeff & Triveni!

Ryan & Julia were married on October 25, 2014. Julia learned about 4 Paws through a coworker and service dog in training, Lincoln, who was recently placed in the October 2014 class. They made a donation in honor of their wedding guests, in lieu of favors as well. Thank you Ryan, Julia, Eddie & Lucy (the kitties)!

We wish you the best on your journey together!

Love is in the air!

By Jaki Waggamon

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CongratulationsJeff & Triveni

andRyan & Julia.

Best wishes for a life full of love. A life

shared with 4-legged friends, is

a life well lived. Thanks for sharing your love with all of

our pups!

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December 2014 Class

Happy “Paw”lidays

...dogs leave paw prints on your heart. Jacob and Dot’s lives are forever intertwined!

-Edie SmithJacob & Dot

...we have been blessed by 4 Paws, receiving Angel. She is Hunter's best friend and has given me such a feeling of peace going to sleep at night.

-Sarah SpechtHunter & Angel

...Dalton has a TRUE best friend!

-Amy O’BannonDalton & Jasper

...We can rest easier at night knowing Soarin is already AMAZING at alerting us to Caleb's seizures! Yay sleep!

-Christian Suttles MorganCaleb & Soarin

This Christmas, our lives are different because....

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December 2014 Class

Happy “Paw”lidays

Beau (Duke) & SabrinaBoston (Wilder)

& Jason

Angel (Yaffa) & Hunter

Jasper (Twain) & Dalton

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December 2014 Class

Happy “Paw”lidays Dot & Jake

Siv & Gage

Soarin & Caleb

Sunder & Bain

Freya (Joli) & Zane

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Hi Ho Hi Ho, it’s off to Seattle I go… Yep my last trip was across the USA to Seattle. Joining us on the trip was Shelby, a 4 Paws Dog Trainer and a goofy looking dog called Roper. The dog had never been anywhere near an airport before and was he silly. It’s a shame all service dogs are not as compact as I am. I can fit about anywhere on the plane nicely, though I do prefer my own seat. This poor soul could not seem to get his body to stay in the designated floor space but in his defense by the time we landed in Seattle, some 10 hours later he was doing much better. However, I would offer some advice to the placement family, if you ever have a layover with him do NOT take the electric golf carts that fly through the airport. I myself, love them. I mean these drivers just go and they do not care who they run over. You get to your next gate lickity split. Unless however, you are riding with Roper, who could not seem to understand the point of riding the cart was to RIDE the cart, not put your front end on the cart and run your back legs beside it. He about fell off and got left in the dirt! I had to tell the dude to climb up on the seat like me!

We were off to the 68th Annual Meeting of the American Epilepsy Foundation to share a booth with Eisai, Magnolia Paws for Compassion, and Medikidz. We were going to educate doctors and others who work in this field in the wonders of medical alert dogs. Our first stop in Seattle was the hotel. This time we were

The Adventures of Piper Papillonand her not so airport loving friend, Roper

By Piper Papillon

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staying in a new one. The Hotel Vintage, a Kimpton Hotel. These people rock! They had a treat bag all ready for me

and a welcome sign that had my name on it! A sure sign that you are really famous, when people have your name announced on arrival! The hotel restaurant, Tulio, had a great dinner for us. It’s a pretty fancy place and I had to interpret the menu for Karen. Not everyone is as refined as I. Saturday we were off to the conference. The Medikidz were already there. If you haven’t heard by now Medikidz are superheroes who educate about various medical issues. Check them out! http://www.medikidz.com/ Well they made a comic about Seizure Alert Dogs and my good friend, Flame was the star of the book. This issue is about our own 4 Paws For Ability Joel, who has seizures and needed a seizure alert dog. He came to 4 Paws For Ability and was matched with Flame. In the book, Flame gets to be a super hero too and wear a red cape. Check out Joel and Flame here http://www.advancingepilepsycare.com/medikidz/medikidz-contest.aspx If you don’t want to watch the whole video scroll over to 1:44 to start the section on Joel and Flame. Our booth was very popular. Everyone came to see us. The greatest thing was people knew I was a Papillon. There must be a lot of Papillons in Seattle. No one seemed to know what poor Roper was. He of course is a Goldendoodle but no one seemed to

know that. The neurologists and researchers were very excited to meet us and learn about what we do. They had so many questions. The main question was, this is just a natural thing a few dogs do right? We got to teach them that it is not just a natural thing. Some dogs do pick up medical alert naturally. About 10% of all dogs will alert their owners in some way to an impending medical crisis. At 4 Paws we have an 80% and climbing, success rate with actually training dogs to alert! They were very surprised to learn this and took our information to share with their families.

On the second day we were talking with someone who’s child had a seizure disorder like Mindy’s boy. Mindy is a Goldendoodle placed by 4 Paws with Evan. Karen was getting ready to text the family to see if they were in Seattle and looked up and there was Rob! That night we had dinner at Tulio’s with Rob and Lisa Moss! It was a great time. We also ran into Kira Kilpatrick and Shenandoah’s Mom who had a booth at the conference. It was like a 4 Paws family reunion! Of course we got to see many of our Eisai friends as well!

On Sunday we had an interesting encounter. Well not we, but rather the goofy doodle and Shelby. We had been going down the grass to an open

Piper, Continued

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piece of grass at the federal building. There was a sign posted that said “No Dogs Allowed EXCEPT Service Dogs” so we saw no issue using it to potty. Well on Sunday when Shelby was there with Roper a security guard came running from the building yelling at them, “Can’t you read” Of COURSE Shelby can read! Silly man! She informed him yes, and the sign says no dogs allowed except service dogs and points to his vest and says, he is a service dog. “Well,” complained the man, “We are closed!” Really? Grass closes? When did that happen? Have you ever seen a lawn of grass close up for the night? What about the squirrel; who was running around there? I have decided that the security guards that work at night must be pretty bored. I mean, have you seen a Goldendoodle? They are big goofy looking

dogs and definitely not the bank heist looking thug dogs.

We stayed in Seattle until Tuesday morning, spending days educating doctors and researchers on the benefits and wonders of service dogs and night relaxing in the hotel. All and all it was a productive trip. I was able to convince a lot of medical personnel that dogs are indeed one valuable tool in

the world of dealing and living successfully with any ongoing medical condition or disability. On Tuesday, heading home we ran into a war dog in the airport. HE was with his soldier. A fine German Shepherd Dog but man he could have taken lessons from Roper on flying and Roper is quite funny on the plane lol. He entered the plane first and when we went by the soldier was busy trying to get him off the airplane seat. The poor boy was not thinking that the floor of the plane was somewhere he wanted to sit. The flight back was long and exhausting but I am ramped up for the next trip already. Be on the lookout for Piper’s adventures in Alaska and Atlanta coming soon! If you live in the Atlanta area and want to meet me up close and personal, join me at the 2nd Annual Paws For A Cause Invitational at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia January 30 – Feb 1, 2015.

Piper, ContinuedOur good Friends the Moss Family and Momma Kirkpatrick!

So what did I learn on this trip?

1. Never let a Goldendoodle ride an electric golf cart through a busy airport.

2. Federal Buildings: Even if the sign says no dogs except service dogs, if the Federal Building is closed, so is the grass.

Signing off for now! -Piper

“We’re sorry, this grass is closed”.

You know it’s grass, right? Outside grass? Where that sign says service dogs are permitted? Oy vey!

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4 Paws UniversityCongratulations Winter Graduates!

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4 Paws is proud to have approximately 60 pups on more than 10 university campuses every semester. This winter we congratulate all of our winter graduates. We are thankful for everything you have done in your time with 4 Paws University and we wish you luck on all of your future endeavors!

Gabrielle Bowers & NomeUniversity of KentuckyBS Special Education, Learning & Behavior Disorders

Gabrielle has accepted a position in Indiana as a behavior therapist. She will continue to foster 4 Paws for Ability foster pups.

Congratulations Gabrielle!

Alexa Blumling & UsherMiami UniversityBS Business Management

Alexa plans to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner. She is moving to Chicago where she will be attending nursing school.

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STARVOLUNTEERWhen the Christenson’s became 4 Paws for

Ability volunteers 9 years ago, Gail, mom of 6, didn’t even think it was going to happen. She was homeschooling her children and looking for something to engage one of her daughters, Heather, who was very interested in becoming a vet or vet tech when she grew up. When she went to talk to Karen Shirk, CEO, about what it takes to become a foster home, she thought, “there is NO way that they will allow us to foster a little puppy with 6 children, one of them being a 2 year old little boy!” To her surprise, Karen thought it was perfect for what they needed and asked what puppy she wanted to take home. After a quick call to her husband to confirm that she wasn’t going to be in the dog house, Autumn, their very first foster came home. It was the beginning of a long and wonderful relationship.

Right away, the Christenson’s joined a local 4H program and began competing in obedience with Autumn. Heather and sister, Rachel, have both competed with 4 Paws dogs at the local and state level. Heather says that fostering helped her come out of her shell. “I would have to talk to people” about the dogs or the fostering process, or about what 4 Paws for Ability does. Gail says it’s true, her daughters were quiet. Fostering sort of forces you to talk to people, the questioning and curious public, about what it is that you’re doing. 4H also teaches them about their dog. Classes cover topics from dog anatomy, dog health, parasites, and training practices. Gail is grateful that 4 Paws has not only

been encouraging of their participation in 4H, but very accommodating, helping them schedule pick up and return dates around local and state fair competitions.

When asked about fostering, Heather admits, it’s not for everyone. “You have to be dedicated and willing to do all the hard work that comes with it.” She’s right, it’s not an easy thing to do. Gail points out that it is very difficult, constantly having a puppy. They are on foster number 19, so they would know. Their carpet, kitchen cupboards, chair legs, shoes, and various toys have all been victim to tiny little puppy teeth. “You name it, it’s probably been chewed on...and if not chewed on, then probably peed on.” The hole in the middle of the living room floor carpet seems to stick in her mind the most. They work hard with their dogs, but they let them play hard too. From the beginning they are strict on

The Christenson FamilyBy Jaki Waggamon

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Rachel, Ashley, HeatherLauren, Matthew, Hailey

Heather & Larry Maddie & Dharma (SDIT), Heather & McKinley, Rachel & Carina (SDIT)

Heather & Willow

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STARVOLUNTEERthe rules. It’s easy to be lenient when a pet is learning the ropes, but a service dog needs to obey the first time. They need to know that food on the floor isn’t free game. That one is hard, but by the end dropped food is barely looked at.

Then there’s giving them back. It’s mostly just hard, but Gail admits, sometimes, they aren’t so sad. There are tough dogs and dogs you don’t bond with as well. Then there are the very hard ones, the ones that some or all of them bond with so quickly and easily that they forget this dog is someone else’s dog for a little bit. Everyone goes into it knowing the end result; they know the pup they are charged to care for, is just temporary. They often remind their pups that they have to go back to 4 Paws soon. It’s mostly a reminder for all the 2-legged bodies in earshot, but it helps. They also plan to pick up a new puppy the same day that they drop one off. It’s hard to mope around being sad about the last one, when there is a new one trying to make your house look like Swiss cheese.

Sixteen of their dogs have made it through the program (or are still in preparation for placement). If anything keeps them going it’s meeting their new families at graduation. It’s a special time, where the family’s hard work culminates in an end product: a best friend, a medical device, a certified service dog. They get to hear about how families now sleep through the night, or get to go out and do things they’ve never done before. That’s certainly inspiring, and it make the rough times a little less rough.

The Christenson’s have a profound

impact on a lot of people. I make this guess based only on the profound impact they had on my own experience as a 4 Paws foster. I met Rachel and Gail at the dog club we take obedience classes from. I was with my first foster and I was nervous and fearful that I was screwing him up. As a puppy he was a stubborn downer. Gail walked right up to me as I struggled to make him listen in class and told me she’d had stubborn downers too, the key was to just not let them get away with it. All I heard was “you didn’t break him yet, just keep at it.” I asked Gail and Rachel about giving them back. I wish I had taken their advice of picking up a new puppy the same day as you return one much sooner. I didn’t do that until dog 3. It makes a difference, this advice isn’t to be taken lightly. Then they told me they were on foster number 12. I wondered how, at first; then you get your second, and third, and fourth, and dogs keep graduating to do amazing things. Finally it all made sense. In the small moments, it can be hard, very hard. The process is made up of these small moments, but the life of a service dog is a painted portrait. The moments fade into a thing of beauty, a thing of magic. The Christenson’s have helped paint a lot of portraits and these portraits adorn the homes of many a grateful service dog recipient. To each member of the Christenson family, you are a star volunteer!

The Christenson FamilyThe Christensons are on foster number 19!

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Lauren & Karma

Rachel & Pilgrim

Matthew & Nani

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Who would have thought walls were so exciting?! However since construction started in August all that seems to occur from the point of the casual observer is the movement of dirt! However several weeks ago they started putting in footers and from there the floor was poured! We have included some aerial shots of the new building floor! So much excitement over a huge slab of concrete but we threw a party! Then yesterday all day I heard screams of delight and clapping through the building. Finally when someone came in my office I found out the reason. A wall had begun to appear from the foundation of the new building. Well, not a wall per say but the frame for one! How exciting.

I am told that from here things will progress quickly! Today they put in the steel beams that will hold the raised ceiling in the kennel! I am told that by next week’s end all the outside frames will be in place and the roof structures will be delivered! The project manager from HiFive said to take pictures daily because it will change quickly. We have an expected finish date in June or July for the new portion of the completed training center and then they will remodel the old building.

We will be happy for now when they are done with the gas lines and some of the mud coming and going is cleared away. The new gas and water lines come up from the street, straight up the front of our building so we have make shift bridges of plywood to cross over them coming and going and lots of mud! They are expected to complete this portion of the building by the end of next week and will then focus entirely on the building of the new section of the center out back.

Well, there is your update of our progress. We have gone from moving dirt from place to place, to putting in footers, digging holes for gas and water lines, to the beginnings of a real, live building! Here’s to the wonders of the new year!

CONSTRUCTIONFROM A MUDDY MESS, WALLS SHALL RISE By Karen Shirk

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Photos courtesy of HiFive Development Services

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4 Paws Puppy ProgramOur moms and dads have been very busy! Here’s to a whole lot of service dog placements in 2015!

4 Paws welcomes the final 2 litters of 2014!

Rappers LitterNettie x EilamGolden Labs12/15/2014

Christmas LitterNour x ZekeGoldendoodles12/21/2014

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4 Paws Puppy ProgramOur moms and dads have been very busy! Here’s to a whole lot of service dog placements in 2015!

259puppies born at 4 Paws in 2014

129Males

130Females

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Cincy ReelAbilities Film Festival 4 Paws was honored to be the recipient of a film screening held on Veterans Day through the ReelAbilities Film Festival in Cincinnati. It was attended by 4 Paws staff, Kelly Camm, development director (also involved with the Film Festival); Jennifer Lutes, senior trainer, and SDIT, Ellory; and Y Comte, trainer, and Yaffa (December 2014 class). Held at the Kenwood Theater, Service: When Women Come Marching Home profiled women who recently served in Iraq and Afghanistan. This documentary shared their experiences as they transition from their active duty to coming home with a disability. After the film, a panel of speakers consisting of veterans and those who serve them spoke about the movie. One of the panelists was our very own, Sgt. Kim Edwards and her PTSD service dog, Spice.  When Kim joined the military her plan was to serve four years, get out and become an Ohio State Trooper. However, she loved her job and four years turned into 21 years. In 2005 she was deployed to LSA Anaconda, Balad Iraq. When she returned home she was medically retired; and continues to suffer from PTSD, depression, anxiety, panic attacks and numerous medical conditions. Kim did an excellent job on the panel, and we are so grateful for her participation! The evening raised awareness to help the non-veteran community understand what veterans go through to keep us free. In addition, $561.32 was raised from ticket sales to benefit the 4 Paws Veterans Program.

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Service: When Women Come Marching Home

Photo courtesy of Jeni Prosser

Save the Date for Travis: A Soldier's StoryShowing March 5, in Cincinnati, OhioTravis Mills is a wounded warrior. This is his story: On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms. He is one of only five quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive such extensive injuries. Thanks to his amazing strength, courage, an incredible will to live, the heroic actions of the men in his unit, the prayers of thousands, and all the healthcare providers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, near Washington D.C., Travis continues to overcome the obstacles of living life as a quadruple amputee. Every day is a battle, but Travis continues to astound everyone with his progress and with his amazing spirit. SSG Travis Mills is a genuine American hero, and for his incredible sacrifice, we are forever in his debt.

This and other information can be found on theTravis Mills website: http://www.travismills.org

On Thursday, March 5, the ReelAbilities Film Festival will be showing Travis: A Solider’s Story, the documentary about SSG Mills. The event will take place at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Ticket sales will benefit 4 Paws for Ability. SSG Mills will be in attendance and will answer questions after the film.

Event InfoThursday, March 5, 2015, 7 PMCincinnati Museum CenterTickets are $10Purchase tickets at: http://bit.ly/TravisTicketsSee the trailer here: http://vimeo.com/107721019

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4 4 Paws for Veterans Raises Funds for Service DogFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Xenia Veteran in Need of a Service Dog December 15, 2014 - Xenia, OH: Ian Williams is a 42-year-old retired veteran who has mobility issues and PTSD.  These do not define him but do create many challenges for him and makes his world harder.  Ian is fortunate to have a loving family surrounding him: his wife, four kids, and even an 11-month old grandson, but something is missing: a service dog to help him be more independent: to retrieve items, help him stand and brace when walking, and to comfort him during his darkest hours.

It has been two years since Ian retired from the military. His 21 years serving our country is impressive: he served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and has even been based in Japan and Korea during his long career. One of the most concerning things with Ian is the anxiety and flashbacks he experiences as a result of his time spent in war-torn countries. It is frightening to his family when this happens; they do the best they can to comfort him but an additional tool to help would be a service dog that is trained to do PTSD Alert Training (PTSD alert is a developing program at 4 Paws that one qualifies to be part of; the goal is for the dog to alert to stress, panic, nightmares, and flashbacks.) The dog will be trained to do behavior disruption such as touch, nudge, kisses, snuggle, and deep pressure.

We here at 4 Paws are committed to supplying this dog for Ian and will be starting a dog in training. We do not ask anything of our veterans in return for the dog; they have done so much already. Instead we are committed to raising the money needed to train Ian’s dog! Knowing that a service dog could be an answer to help Ian on outings in public and in the home by helping to increase his mobility and calming him is life changing. It is an easy decision for us to make.  How the Greater Cincinnati/Dayton Community Can Help4 Paws for Ability (www.4pawsforability.org) in Xenia has a mission to enrich the lives of veterans by the training and placement of quality, task trained service dogs to provide increased independence for the veteran and assistance to their families.  The community can help provide this life changing service dog by supporting 4 Paws for Ability and making a tax deductible donation in honor of Ian Williams. A check donation can be made directly to 4 Paws for Ability, including Ian’s name in the memo, or by giving online at http://4pawsforability.org/donate-now/ and indicating Ian Williams in the memo field.

Thank you for your consideration. DONATE NOW!

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DONATE NOW!Donate to our Building Fund!

Save the Date - Upcoming Events3rd Annual 4 Paws for Ability

5K and 1 Mile Dog Walk

Saturday, April 25, 2015Shawnee Park, Xenia, OH

Registration: 8:00AM5K Race: 9:00AMDog Walk: 9:15AM

Registration website to follow.

Based on current construction timelines, the construction of the new space should conclude in June/July, with renovation to the current space

continuing into July/August. We anticipate an open house in September 2015. Everyone is invited.

Details and firm date to follow!

17 years of placing service dogs with children and veterans in need. Here’s to many, many more!

4 Paws for Ability: New Facility OpeningSeptember 2015

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4 Paws for Ability - Additional SupportersHava Chishti, Friend of 4 Paws for Ability

4 Paws has a lot of friends. People who commit time, or money, or advocacy, or love to our cause. Among them, we now count Hava. Hava interviewed Karen Shirk for a hero/role model paper to be presented at her Bat Mitzvah in September. Hava sent 4 Paws a copy of that paper. In it she writes: My hero or role model would have to meet two criteria - they had to share my passion for

animals, and they had to have a passion for helping people. A hero is someone who is admired for their courage or a brave action. A role model is someone who sets a good example for another person. For me, this person is Karen Shirk, and I think she has all of these qualities.

Karen shared with Hava her story: her disability, her first service dog, her faith, her personal history, her family, her dream about placing service dogs with children, and her work to begin 4 Paws for Ability. Hava ended her paper with this: “When someone said ‘no’, she didn’t give up...she has the courage to follow her dreams. She sets a great example for my future.” Hava sent us her paper, a thank you note to Karen for her phone interview, and a very generous $1,000 donation. Hava, we send you our most sincere thanks for your very thoughtful gift. As for your Bat Mitzvah, mazel tov!

Google Engineering Visit

On December 11, some staff and local families visited the Google Engineering office in Pittsburgh, PA. They were invited by an anonymous Googler from the Pittsburgh office who donated over $7,000 to 4 Paws. Those attending were:

• Jennifer Lutes, senior trainer• Kelly Camm, development director• Ellory, SDIT• The Mangan family: Sarah, mom; Lucia and

her Diabetic Alert dog, Magic; Sophia, Lucia's sister

• The Hyland family: Ray, dad; Meghan, mom; Emily and her Multipurpose Service Dog, Cammie

Thanks, Google engineers!

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4 Paws for Ability - Additional SupportersPreferred Solutions

Toy Donation

Preferred Solutions recently caught wind of our mission to place Autism Assistance dogs with children and decided that this year’s donation would be sent our way. We gratefully accepted their thoughtful donation, which has something for both the kiddos we serve and the pups that serve them. The kids in our upcoming classes will be so excited when they see the new toys added to their play space. Our trainers are particularly grateful that among all the dog supplies and toys they sent, none of them squeak!

Thank you Preferred Solutions!

Kroger Community Rewards

4 Paws friends in the Greater Dayton/Greater Cincinnati area - THANK YOU. We just had our best Kroger Community Rewards quarter ever. Kroger sent us a check for more than $1200, just because 149 households enrolled their Kroger plus card with us!

Haven't done this yet? Enroll your card here: https://www.kroger.com/communityrewardsPlease note - you must be in the Greater Dayton/

Greater Cincinnati area to enroll your card with us.

We have triple checked this fact.

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Photography Credits:Thank you to the 4 Paws volunteers, staff, and friends whose photos are in this issue of 4PawPrints, especially Sharon Leali who regularly photographs our newest paws!

Modropy Campaign Raises $600

From December 22-29, 4 Paws for Ability was the recipient of Modropy’s cause of the week campaign. Modropy (Modern Philanthropy), believes in using social media for social good and allowing people to purchase with a purpose. The two Modropy designs pictured were designed especially for 4 Paws for Ability and shirts were sold for just one week. $8 of each purchase was donated to 4 Paws - for a total of $608. We look forward to seeing our followers sport their new Modropy gear!

Thank you Modropy!

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4PAWPRINTS4 Paws For Ability253 Dayton Ave.Xenia, OH 45385

DO YOU HAVE A STORY OR PHOTOS TO SHARE WITH 4PAWPRINTS?

SEND THEM TO JAKI WAGGAMON AT MEDIA4PAWS@GMAIL.COM!

Did you know that we are still looking for

building sponsors?

Puppy runs can be

named for $2500!

Thanks to all our donors! (Over $5,000, November-December 2014)Round of Appaws!• Jim & Mary Reeves - $14,000• Oak Grove Ruritan Club - $11,082.49 • Todd & Amy Book - $9,105• Pandora Jewelry, LLC - $25,000• Sylvia Gardner - $9,709.70• James Cartwright - $12,603.20• Cory & Katherine Welbaum - $5,000• Taylor & Lindy Coleman - $14,000• PetsMart - $5,000• Eventbrite - $6,428• Crowdtilt c/o Balanced, Inc - $10,587.54 • Robert Beard Charitable Foundation - $10,000• Helen W. Bell Charitable Foundation - $10,000• WA Hammond Drierite Co. LTD - $5,000• Cyrus and Joanne Spurlino - $10,000• The Calipari Foundation Inc - $50,000• The Erma A. Bantz Foundation - $15,000• WHH Foundation - $5,000• Schwab Charitable Fund - $5,000• Ditech, Inc - $14,000• E. Kenneth & Esther Marie Hatton Foundation - $10,000• Fun Publications, Inc - $10,000• Ron & Julie Hovanec - $10,000• Jean Price - $5,000• Jay Strayer - $50,000• Anonymous - $11,477.22 • Anonymous - $10,000