Training a service dog to meet our child’s requirements can be very costly. On average it costs between $40,000-60,000 to raise, train, and place a service dog at 4 Paws for Ability. While 4 Paws for Ability fundraises to help cover a significant portion of this cost, families are tasked with raising $20,000 of that amount or $23,000 if receiving a poodle, doodle or papillon. We hope that we can receive assistance from our beloved family and friends to help make our service dog dream a reality.

 The McDonough family is thrilled to announce the start of a fundraising campaign to help provide their daughter, Kara, with a service dog from 4 Paws for Ability, a nonprofit organization based in Xenia, Ohio. Kara is an amazing young lady with the whole world at her feet! From the moment Kara entered this world, it was clear that she was unique and nothing was going to stop her. A service dog will offer vital support to Kara as she enters her teen years, and help her navigate daily challenges with increased confidence and independence.

For Kara, living with autism means facing unique social, emotional, and sensory difficulties. Kara was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum when she was 7 years old after being on forever long waitlists for testing that were complicated by COVID. With the help of a specially trained service dog, she will receive life-changing assistance, including support with anxiety, transitions and providing a sense of safety in public spaces. The dog will be trained to perform specific tasks that are crucial for Kara’s well-being, including tasks like providing deep pressure therapy and providing calming support in crowded environments.

 In order to make this dream a reality, the McDonough family has launched this fundraiser. Any support from the community will help bring them closer to their goal of providing their daughter with a service dog, as Kara says “Dogs love you no matter who you are and only want belly rubs and food in return!”