4 Paws For Sean

 About Sean

Hi my name is Sean Wells. I am ten years old and I have Asperger Syndrome (AS is an Autism Spectrum Disorder), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety. Even though I was only recently diagnosed with AS my family has known since I was a toddler that I was different from other kids my age. I had trouble making eye contact and understanding how to interact with other people. I couldn't understand what other people were thinking or feeling so most of the time I chose to play alone instead of with other kids my age. I also created elaborate routines and would get extremely upset if they were interupted. Another thing my parents noticed was that I was very sensitive to sounds and I would not eat certain foods because I didn't like the way they felt in my mouth. Melt downs were very common for me because I would get overwhelmed easily when there was too much going on (sensory overload is pretty common for people with AS). 

My parents and I are currently fundraising for an organization called 4 Paws For Ability. In return for our fundraising efforts I will be receiving an Autism Service Dog that will be specially trained for me to help with some of my behaviors that go along with AS and OCD. My parents and I have agreed to raise $11,000 for 4 Paws, which is the typical cost to train and place a service dog like the one I will be receiving. I am really excited about receiving my dog from 4 Paws. It will be cool to have a best friend, especially one who can distract me from my routines and help me calm down when I'm feeling overwhelmed. I've already decided on names for my dog. If I'm matched with a boy dog his name will be Max and if I'm matched with a girl dog her name will be Molly.                                                      

If you would like to make a donation to 4 Paws to help me reach my $11,000. goal you can send a check or money order to -

4 Paws For Ability 253 Dayton Avenue, Xenia Ohio, 45385. Please be sure to write my name, Sean Wells, in the memo section.

 Or you can visit http://www.4pawsforability.org/donation.html. Again please remember to include my name, Sean Wells, so I receive credit for your donation.

If you have any questions you can contact my mom, Nicole Wells at nicole42583@aol.com or you can contact 4 Paws For Ability at http://www.4pawsforability.org/contact.html or by phone at 937-374-0385.

 ***********************************

About 4 Paws For Ability

"Taking the 'dis' out of disability"

• Mission: To enrich the lives of people with disabilities by training and placing service animals to provide them with companionship and promote independent living.
• Goals: *To provide everyone defined as "disabled" by the American's With Disability Act (1990) with access to a qualified service animal trained specifically for their needs, regardless of age and severity of disability. *To reduce the number of unwanted animals that would otherwise be destroyed by obtaining the majority of it's animals from shelters and rescue groups. *To increase public awareness of the laws regarding service animals and the value they provide their owners.
• Types of Dogs: ~ Autism Assistance ~ Emotional Support/Companion ~ Hearing Ear ~ Mobility Assistance ~ Search and Rescue ~ Seizure Assistance ~ Multi-Purpose ~
• History: Established by Karen Shirk in 1998 as an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit agency; has placed nearly 200 service dogs to date
• Placement Process: Candidates complete an application, obtain letters of reference and a physician's confirmation of medical condition, and forward the documents to the 4 Paws board of directors. The Board determines eligibility and the dog's specific functions for the particular team, which helps derive a figure for the cost of the dog's training. The applicant is notified of their fundraising requirement, with a maximum of $14,000. Once the tax-deductible donations are collected the dog's handler-specific training begins, generally spanning three or four months, depending on skill set. The partner and/or handler then meet in Ohio for 11 days to complete intensive residential training before the placement occurs.
• Other Programs: *Rover Rehab Program (Warren Correctional Institute inmates train dogs formerly slated for euthanasia due to overpopulation at the Humane Association of Warren County) *Mission Pawsible (Animal Assisted Therapy for at-risk youths), *German Shepherd Dog Rescue

Contact Info: 4 Paws For Ability 253 Dayton Avenue, Xenia, Ohio 45385  www.4pawsforability.org or by phone at 937-374-0385

***********************************

Sean and Dad at COSI