Thank you, Google for helping us find 4 Paws for Ability

Wow. The internet is really an amazing source of information. Have you ever found yourself searching for something specific and then finding yourself completely engulfed in something other than what you typed in the google search box? Well, that's how we found an organization called 4 Paws for Ability. Sometime last year we started our line of dog collars to support awareness of autism, as you know we currently donate 15% of the proceeds to the Autism Society of America. For some time, I have wanted Feline Fido to form a relationship with an organization (supporting autism) that would be a little more intimate. By "intimate, I basically mean, that I'd like to have a contact at that organization, I'd like to have more insight as to their specific goals and for us to feel like we are helping support a team effort. So, as stated before, I did my google search...after clicking on a link, that took me to another link, which took me to another..(you get the idea) I found my way to 4 Paws for Ability. I am so glad.

Their mission is to:
"Our mission at 4 Paws for Ability is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by training and placing service animals to provide them with companionship and promote independent living. We specialize in placements with people who are turned away by many other agencies."

There are other organizations that place service dogs, but here are a few things about 4 Paws for Ability that we really find unique:
--ONE (of many) of the areas that 4 Paws for Ability specializes in, is placing service dogs in homes of autistic children
--They don't focus on any specific region, they offer placement of dogs nationally.
--They do not have any age restrictions.
--You are NOT required to give up your family pet in order to qualify for a service dog. (Many other organizations require the service dog to be in the ONLY pet and/or dog in the household)
--The also adopt and train many RESCUE dogs to become service dogs. (Yippee, did someone say rescue dog?)

Karen Shirk, founder of 4 Paws for Ability, has to be one of the most inspiring people I've personally come across. She started this organization after her own challenge in finding a service dog. She was turned down by every agency she contacted. Still seeking the companionship of a dog, she brought Ben into her life. A very special dog that Karen says, saved her life on more than one occasion. After training Ben herself and realizing the loyalty he had for Karen, she began to train service dogs that were provided to those who may not otherwise qualify for one through other organizations. Watch the videos on Ben's page - it will definitely be the best 15 minutes you've spent this week. I can guarantee you that.

I think you get the idea...this organization is truly spectacular. And, since they work on placing service DOGS - to those with AUTISM - and we craft DOG collars to promote awareness for AUTISM...you can bank on some upcoming announcements about the restructuring of our autism awareness collar proceeds donations...