About Paws 4 Autism...

It all started with a goal: to help our own daughter be safe and learn ways to connect socially with others. Adi (Ay-dee) has PDD-NOS and is considered high-functioning. Through many MANY hours of research online, I found animal therapy -- whether it be horses or a dog -- to be a beacon of hope to bring Adi out of her shell and help her learn how to cope with her autism and become more independent in life. While hippotherapy is still a possibility, I know that the constant therapy that only a service dog can provide is the best choice for our daughter.

Our next step was to choose a service provider. There are several out there and they all have good references. We chose Autism Service Dogs of America (ASDA) primarily becasue of how they handle the training of the family with the dog. Adi does NOT do well when her schedule is changed or she is in a new environment. With ASDA, I go to their location (in Oregon) for a week to be trained as the primary caregiver (and a MUCH needed break). I then bring the dog home to start working on the bond with Adriana (no training or commands yet). After 2-3 weeks, ASDA sends their trainer to US for about a week. Adriana gets training in HER environment, along with the rest of the family & teachers. I felt that this was the best choice for Adriana and her needs at this time.

Once we were approved, it was time to raise the funds. For many this is what makes or breaks them in the process. Begging for money is NOT easy -- especially given the current economy. Our reserves have been used to pay for various therapies and treatments for Adi. Our friends have been hit hard by the recession and don't have the cash flow either. Luckily, we got our first $2,000 within 3 days. Then, the word started to really spread. Friends were working out options with their employers, family members and their employers and friends of friends. Quickly, we realized that our efforts needed to go beyond our own daughter. We began dreaming of starting a foundation to help other families fund their dogs AND raise awareness for both autism and possible treatments.

Then my best friend steps in. She is in sales....and is GOOD at what she does. She knows just about everyone...or knows how to get the connections made. Her son is also coping with Aspberger's Syndrome - which is very similiar to high functioning PDD-NOS. She has the passion and the love not only for my daughter and family, but for the cause. She began making calls, and more calls. Within a week, she received verbal commitments from several national and international corporations to assist with the Paws4Autism cause with one caveat -- we needed to become our own 501c3 charity.

That is where we are now, we were certified as a 501c3 by the IRS on March 14th, 2011. I am thrilled to be making such wonderful progress and cannot wait to begin helpilng other families help their children connect to the world....4 paws at a time.

Terri (Adi's Mom)