January 31, 2006 > Wanted: Unconditional four-legged love

by Kasandria Kennedy

Not the feline variety, we already have two of those who are very much loved. What we need is the canine variety and we need your help. I am a Tri-City mom who is raising funds on behalf of 4 Paws For Ability, a 501c3 nonprofit organization specializing in training and placement of service dogs for children with special needs.

Sonya is my 10-year-old daughter and is what I call "differently abled." She is not physically disabled but mentally and emotionally. She deals with challenges everyday. Sonya is an SED (Seriously Emotionally Disturbed) little girl. She has Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, separation anxiety, difficulty controlling impulses, and other problems. She has difficulty making and sustaining peer relationships and has a very low threshold for frustration. She needs a constant companion dog specially trained to help her by distracting Sonya when she is feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or angry, as well as help her calm down when needed.

Based in Xenia, Ohio, 4 Paws For Ability strives to provide service dogs to families and children that struggle with life's daily challenges and who would otherwise be turned away by other agencies. 4 Paws trains a variety of assistance dogs, including but not limited to seizure assistance, mobility assistance, hearing ear dogs and autism assistance dogs.

You can help bring some magic to Sonya's life by making a tax-deductible donation to 4 Paws For Ability in Sonya's name. We need to raise $8,000 so that 4 Paws can start training a dog for my child. Each time a check comes in a letter of thanks will be sent to you that can be used for tax purposes.

Upon completion of this requirement, we will travel to Ohio for a one to two week stay to work individually and with other families to learn how to manage our new K9 partner.

For additional information contact Kasandria Kenedy at (510) 552-4482 or rainwind1@hotmail.com. To contact 4 Paws directly call (937) 374-0385 or check out their website at www.4pawsforability.org.

You can send your donation to:
4 Paws For Ability
253 Dayton Avenue
Xenia, Ohio 45385