Gabriel Nieves is an amazing 4 year old boy with a contagious smile!   He loves Buzz Lightyear and Lightening McQueen.  He enjoys running around outside and cuddling with Mommy.  He is very friendly and extremely determined. However, Gabriel also runs into traffic without understanding the danger. He disappears if he’s not being watched. He covers his ears and hides multiple times a day because he can’t understand the world around him. See, Gabriel has autism, a neurological disorder that affects almost every part of his daily living. Simple things can become a whirlwind of sensory input that can’t be processed or understood. What should be fun turns into an hour long crying spell because something was too loud, not planned, too many people, smells bad…you can fill in the blank.  The risk of Gabriel running away, getting lost, or hurting himself is an everyday worry. However there is good news, an organization called  4 Paws for Ability.

4Paws for Ability is a 501c3 organization that specializes in placing service dogs with children with disabilities.  The wait list for these dogs can be up to 5 years with other organizations. In an effort to place more dogs and get the dogs with the children faster, 4 Paws for Ability has a different approach. The cost of training an autism assistance dog with tracking ability is $13,000. Parents volunteer to fundraise for 4 Paws for Ability.  Once the fundraising is complete, a dog is trained specifically for the child!

These dogs are trained in tethering so the child won’t run away in public or run into traffic. They are trained in behavior disruption so they can touch the child to stop odd and disruptive behavior. They are trained for tracking so that if the child does get out, the dog can quickly find the child. The dog also helps the child to form bonds as autistic children usually have a very difficult time with relationships.

What does this mean for Gabriel? It would mean being able to go out in public without it being a huge risk. The dog would give him independence.  If Gabriel were to get out the dog could find him and bring him back safely, possibly saving his life. When he became completely overwhelmed, the dog could help calm him and get him back to normal faster.  The dog would give Gabriel a friend, and possibly help him make friends.  Gabriel could safely play with the dog without being made fun of or laughed at for being different.

For these reasons, we are asking for your help! Please help us raise the funds to keep that beautiful smile on his face more often. Help us keep our son safe. Every donation helps and will bring Gabriel closer to a brighter tomorrow!

If you would like more information on 4 Paws for Ability, check out their website at www.4pawsforability.org

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at nieves5@cox.net.

Tax deductable donations can be sent to:

4 Paws for Ability

253 Dayton Ave

Xenia, OH 45385

(Make sure to include Gabriel's name on the memo line so he will get credit for your donation)

 

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