4 Paws for Ari

4 Paws for Ability enriches the lives of children with disabilities by training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs. This provides increased independence for the children, and assistance to their families.

A special fundraising effort has been launched to be able to place a mobility dog with Ari. Ari is the first child in what would become a family of 7. Ari was a fun and loving child, yet we started to notice a change in him around 18 months. Ari stopped talking, he didn't walk and he was having a hard time communicating his needs. After years of unanswered questions, Ari was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) at the age of 6. Ari is still that fun and loving kid he was as a baby and he brings joy to our family in many ways. It's been a long journey, learning how to raise and teach a child who looks typical to everyone else. 

Service dogs are a wonderful resource for families with a child who has ASD. As his parents, we want to make sure he is able to grow and develop and function independently in our world; we want him to make connections with his peers; we want him to stay safe when navigating crowded areas outside of our home; we want him to go to school or the grocery store or the park without having a meltdown because there is just too much stimulation. A service dog would help Ari in every one of those situations. A service dog would allow Ari to connect better with his peers, as Autism manifests itself most strikingly as impairment in communication and the formation of social relationships. A dog would also offer security from wondering off, provide behavior disruption and teach responsibility. The entire family is excited about the opportunities and adventures this will provide Ari.

You will have from September 1st to September 30th to log 26.2 miles. You can complete the distance all at once or work on it a little at a time. When complete, e-mail the race director. Every finisher will receive a medal.

Proceeds from every entry will benefit Ari and the training of their assistance dog.