4 Paws for Ability is a service dog organization founded by Karen Shirk and based out of Xenia, Ohio. Their mission is to place quality service dogs with children with disabilities and veterans who have lost the use of their limbs or hearing; help with animal rescue, and educate the public regarding use of service dogs in public places. 4 Paws has placed over a hundred service dogs with children a
nd veterans around the United States! Some examples of service dogs 4 Paws provides includes autism assistance, seizure assistance, diabetes alert dogs, mobility assistance dogs and more. As a part of 4 Paws at Ohio State, students have the opportunity to be selected as either a handler or a puppy sitter. When a handler receives their dog, they have to be prepared to have the dog live with them and go everywhere with them! Handlers take the dog everywhere they go (i.e. class, grocery store, movies, etc.) and socialize them to prepare for their future as a service dog. Puppy sitters take the dogs to socialize when the handler is not available. We also participate in a variety of educational and fundraising events on Ohio State's campus!
