5 years ago, we were sitting at 4 Paws for Ability in utter amazement as we were learning all the incredible skills Derek’s service dog, Layton, had been taught. 

As I reflect back on how much this handsome ball of fluff has changed our lives, I honestly don’t know how to express my feelings without writing a novel, so here’s my top 4 quick recaps of some of these changes:

First, Derek has been able to sleep through the night almost every night since Layton has slept by his side. Before Layton, he was up for the day around 3:00 every morning, which was so exhausting for everyone.

Second, after watching how much Layton helped ease Derek’s anxiety and behavioral issues, we decided to mainstream Derek into his home district middle school. He had been in small inclusive classroom settings for 10 years leading up to this change. My heart swells with such pride as I have watched him transition from classroom to classroom with Layton by his side. If I’m being honest, as parents, we had already given up on the mainstreaming dream & had come to accept that his future IEP goals were going to transition from academic to life skills… Enter Layton… Derek is changing classrooms with new teachers & classmates every hour! He’s even taking a couple of gen-ed classes. 

And to think that we almost gave up on expanding that brilliant mind of his due to his behavioral issues…

Third, because of how proud Derek is of Layton, his social skills have done a complete 180°. Obviously, people are drawn to dogs & will come over to comment on or to pet Layton. It only took a couple of times for us to defer the questions or comments to Derek & he has become a proud educator of “all things Layton”. He actively seeks out people just looking at Layton & will approach them saying, “This is my service dog, Layton. You can pet him if you want to.” Derek actually comes home from school now & refers to several of his “friends.”

Finally, the last thought I’d like to share always gets my tears flowing. Empathy & love. 

Derek was almost 3 when he started to say “mom” & “dad,” and that was only because his speech therapists had taught him those words as “labels”. There was no emotional attachment to those words or to us as parents. It was so hard & heartbreaking to not have an emotional attachment reciprocated by your own child. 

After 15 years, we had come to terms with accepting that this is just who Derek was & we’d continue to model our love for him in hopes of him feeling this type of love & learning how to show it towards others.

Now, with Layton, I always know where those two are by just listening for the “Layton, I LOVE you!”, or “Layton, you’re my best friend in the whole world!”, and lately there’s been a lot of “Layton, you’re the best service dog ever!”. 

Layton broke through barriers instantly that we have been trying so hard to get through for 15 years! This love & empathy has expanded in so many areas & my momma heart is so happy & grateful!

I could go on with so many more areas that have been life-changing in Derek’s life due to having his best friend by his side but I’ll stop there. My heart overflows with so much gratitude for those that made “Team Derek & Layton” possible. 

“THANK YOU” will never be enough!

The post “Layton, you’re my best friend in the whole world!” | Derek & Layton’s Story first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

Twelve-year-old Vada Ruiz has a new best friend.

He’s smart, fun, happy and objectively extremely cute. He loves to play, go on car rides and cuddle Vada whenever the mood strikes.

His name is Irish and he’s an 18-month-old, 85-pound golden retriever and Newfoundland mix. And when he’s with Vada, he’s not only her companion. He’s on duty, watching closely for any signs of her epilepsy as her service dog.

Their journey began in the summer of 2024, when Vada’s parents noticed her eyes fluttering. Her pediatrician thought it might be a tic, Ruiz said. But then their 10-year-old daughter started falling behind in school and they suspected something was wrong.

The post “He’ll be with her” | Vada & Irish’s Story first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

You may have seen a dog walking alongside a student to class, wearing a harness that says, “service dog.” While they may look like ordinary furry friends enjoying a walk across campus, they are actually learning how to navigate the sights, sounds and distractions of everyday life.

For members of 4 Paws for Ability at the University of Cincinnati, helping these service dogs in training is a chance to prepare them for a future where they can change someone’s life.

Last year, Wagner trained a dog named Brady, who was placed over the summer with two nonverbal boys. Brady was trained to help track the children because they have a tendency to run off. According to Wagner, the boys have begun speaking again and have started saying Brady’s name.

“It shows how much of an impact these dogs really do make,” Wagner said.

The post UC Students Train Service Dogs to Change Lives first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

“People had asked me how I would ever be able to give Kicker up? Wouldn’t I miss him? I have to say, when (the family) came to Cincinnati, I was the one who was blessed.”

Pat’s journey with 4 Paws for Ability started back when our founder was just getting things off the ground. Pat fostered Kicker, a black German Shepherd placed with a six-year-old boy named Hunter. One day Hunter and Kicker came back to visit Pat.

“When Michelle (Hunter’s mom) opened the hatch, Kicker’s eyes got bright, but he waited for a formal release. Then he gave me a great ‘Hello!’ As we went upstairs and into the backyard, Kicker stuck right by Hunter and led him into the back deck area. He kept giving me side glances, as if to say, ‘See what I have? See my boy??’ From then on, I just called him, ‘my son/dog the doctor.’ I was so proud!!”

Decades later, Pat is still changing lives at 4 Paws, this time through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).

“I am now 73, in a place where I need to take mandatory withdrawals from my retirement savings. After talking to my investment counselor, QCDs seem a really good choice. I will forever keep those days of Kicker and 4 Paws in my heart. 4 Paws helped both Kicker and I grow into better beings.”

What is a QCD & How Can It Help You Give?
If you are 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) lets you donate directly from your Traditional IRA to a registered charity like 4 Paws for Ability.

Tax-Free Impact: Funds transfer directly to 4 Paws without counting as taxable income.

Satisfy Your RMD: If you are 73 or older and facing Required Minimum Distributions, a QCD counts toward your mandatory withdrawal without pushing you into a higher tax bracket.

No Itemization Needed: You receive tax benefits even if you take the standard deduction.

Pat’s support helped launch a mission that has placed over 2,000 service dogs with children and veterans. You can keep that legacy going today.

Interested in making a QCD gift? Speak with your financial advisor or IRA custodian, or contact our team to get started!

The post How Pat’s Support Helped Launch a Mission that has Placed Over 2,000 Service Dogs first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

4 Paws for Ability is thrilled to announce “One Creek: 4 Paws,” an expansive service-learning project connecting students, staff, families, and community members across all 11 Beavercreek school buildings to support the mission of 4 Paws for Ability through fundraising, supply collections, volunteering, and advocacy throughout the 2026-2027 school year.

This initiative will be powered by Beavercreek City Schools, which has set a $30,000 fundraising goal to fully sponsor and support two future litters of 4 Paws for Ability service dogs at $15,000 per litter. 

“4 Paws for Ability is honored to be selected by Beavercreek City Schools as their service-learning project,” added KaLynn Clark, Senior Development Director at 4 Paws for Ability. “We look forward to a year full of empowering young people to be advocates for people with disabilities through hands-on volunteer work, community engagement, and raising critical funds.”

“One Creek: 4 Paws gives our students an opportunity to see what can happen when an entire community comes together around a shared purpose,” Beavercreek Superintendent Paul Otten said. “This project is about learning from others, recognizing needs within our community, finding ways to serve, and understanding that each of us has the ability to make a difference. We have an incredible opportunity to make an impact together.”

Students across all grade levels will participate in age-appropriate, creative activities designed to foster empathy, community action, and hands-on service. 

Individuals can make a direct donation towards the service-learning project goal online at secure.qgiv.com/event/onecreek4paws/

The post 4 Paws for Ability Partners with Beavercreek Schools and Students for District-Wide Service Project first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

“Taylor’s puzzle started when she was in high school.

She had declines in her vision and her hearing. Taylor’s health continued to decline, but with no real answers. We weren’t sure what puzzle pieces we needed at this point, but we knew she needed more because it was going to continue to progress.

While trying to figure out the next piece, we came in contact with a lady in Richmond, Virginia, who had a 4 Paws for Ability dog.

Now, we finally found the next piece of this puzzle… Sadie.

Sadie will help Taylor with many tasks. Mobility, bracing, stability, assisting with her wheelchair, pressure, and bark therapy for night terrors and falls.

The work that is done at 4 Paws is exemplary and professional for as personal as it feels, and affects so many families.

We are excited because we know Sadie will be able to help Taylor to gain a level of independence that we all want as she continues dealing with this puzzle.”

-Ben, father of Taylor and service dog Sadie (aka Bougie)

The post “We finally found the next piece of this puzzle” first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

In 1998, we were founded on a simple mission: to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by placing life-changing service dogs.

From becoming the first organization in North America to place an autism assistance task-trained service dog with a child, to having placed over 2,000 service dogs nationwide, our history is filled with newfound independence, stories of love, and countless life-changing moments in countless lives.

The post Celebrating 28 Years of Service During National Service Dog Month first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

RUN! WREN! RUN!

With her 4 Paws partner, Chewie, next to her Wren crossed the finish line yet again! Running in their FOURTH 5K as a duo, they finished the Meatball Run at the Italian Fall Festa in Kettering, OH.

Cheering them on were friends, family, running coaches, and our entire 4 Paws for Ability community.

Wish Wren & Chewie “good luck” as they prepare for their next race at the Gourdy Run in Cincinnati this October!

The post Wren & Service Dog Chewie Cross Another Finish Line first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

Having a campus requires A LOT of work. Recently, Be Hope Church in Beavercreek showed up and put in the effort.

Our staff parking lot was beginning to see overgrown trees and needed a major clean up. Inside, we needed to give the paint a touch up to freshen up the appearance of our rooms. We are incredibly grateful to Be Hope Church for making our home safe and clean. Our pups loved the snuggles too!

The post Be Hope Church Tackles Cleanup Projects at 4 Paws Campus first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.

Every parent of a child with special needs knows the weight of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

For Jack and his mom, Jill, weekends used to mean bracing for impact. Jack has a two-hour ABA social group on Saturdays. After exhausting school weeks, weekends are supposed to be for recovery, but missing therapy isn’t an option. 

The long sessions frequently ended in heartbreak, meltdowns, and terrifying, dangerous moments, with Jack eloping out the door, across the street, and even up to the roof. Jill has had learned to navigate life by expecting the worst.

Enter Brave from the MultiPlan litter, a service dog from 4 Paws for Ability…

During a recent Saturday session, the familiar mid-therapy distress began. Halfway through, Jack was upset and determined to leave. Instead of a crisis, Jack’s mom tried something new… “Why don’t you sit here with Brave for five minutes? If you still want to leave, we can.”

Within just two minutes of deep pressure and unconditional comfort, his distress melted away. Rather than ending in catastrophe, Jack voluntarily walked right back into his classroom to finish his therapy.

Service dogs do far more than perform tasks; they rewrite the narrative for families. Where there used to be fear, elopement, and exhaustion, Brave brought peace and emotional regulation in a matter of seconds. This #NationalServiceDogMonth, we’re celebrating that independence.

As Jill put it, “So many experiences end in catastrophe… And now with Brave, things seem to be smoothing out. This is life-changing.”

The post “This is life changing.” | Jack & Brave first appeared on 4 Paws for Ability.