Seven-year-old Luca is a sweet, sensitive little boy who loves swimming and watching Frozen. Like many kids his age, he enjoys simple joys, but Luca also faces challenges most people never see. Luca was diagnosed with nonverbal autism, and every day he works incredibly hard to navigate a world that often feels overwhelming.

Luca experiences severe anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, self-injurious behaviors, and elopement. Elopement means that when he becomes overwhelmed, he may run away without understanding the dangers around him. This can put his life at risk and makes everyday activities incredibly stressful for him and his family.

Despite these challenges, Luca has such a gentle spirit. He deserves the chance to feel safe, calm, and connected to the world around him.

That’s why Luca’s family is hoping to partner with 4 Paws for Ability to provide him with a specially bred and professionally trained autism assistance dog. These incredible dogs are trained for years to support children like Luca. They can:

- Help prevent dangerous elopement by staying tethered to the child
- Interrupt self-injurious behaviors
- Provide deep pressure therapy during anxiety or panic attacks
- Help improve sleep and nighttime safety
- Encourage social interaction and confidence in public spaces

For many children with autism, a service dog becomes a bridge to the world, offering comfort, safety, and companionship when words are hard to find.

The cost to breed, raise, and train a service dog through 4 Paws for Ability is $23,000. Luca’s family is working hard to raise these funds so he can receive a dog uniquely trained to meet his needs.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings Luca one step closer to a loyal companion who can help him feel safe, calm, and understood.

✨ Please consider donating or sharing Luca's story. Your support could change his life.

Together, we can help Luca gain independence, safety, and a best friend who will never leave his side. 

Help Us Bring Luca his life-changing service dog. Thank you for your support!

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.