Kenny is a bright, loving five‑year‑old with Level 3, non‑verbal autism, and his challenges make everyday life unpredictable and often dangerous. He is one of twins, and his sister Josie adores him, but Kenny’s needs require constant vigilance to keep him safe.

Kenny elopes and bolts at any moment, even when he is calm. He can slip through doors, run toward movement, or dart into unsafe areas without any awareness of danger. This is why tethering is one of the most critical tasks his service dog will be trained in — providing a secure, child‑safe connection that prevents sudden wandering or bolting in public spaces.

If Kenny does get away, he cannot communicate his needs, respond to his name, or seek help. He may hide, run farther, or become disoriented. This is why scent tracking is essential. His service dog will be trained to follow Kenny’s unique scent and locate him quickly if he ever escapes or becomes lost, whether indoors, outdoors, or in a crowded environment.

Inside our home, we have gates at every exit to keep Kenny safe — but he has begun climbing them. He also seeks out objects, areas, or heights that could cause injury. These behaviors happen fast and without warning. His service dog will be trained in danger alerting, recognizing when Kenny is climbing gates, accessing unsafe areas, or engaging in risky actions, and alerting us immediately through specific trained behaviors.

When Kenny becomes dysregulated, his meltdowns can escalate into self‑injurious behaviors. He may hit himself, bang his head, or drop to the floor with force. These episodes are neurological overload, not tantrums, and he cannot control them. His service dog will be trained in behavioral interruption and calming pressure, providing grounding support that helps stop self‑injury and brings Kenny back to a regulated, safer state.

This dog isn’t just a companion — it’s a safety tool, a lifeline, and a way for Kenny to finally experience the world with support that humans simply cannot provide.

Why We’re Asking for Help

Families must raise $23,000 toward the cost of breeding, raising, and training these specialized service dogs through 4 Paws for Ability. Insurance does not cover service dogs, even when they are medically necessary for safety.

Every donation — big or small — helps bring Kenny closer to the stability, protection, and independence he deserves.

Thank you for helping keep Kenny safe and giving him the chance to thrive

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.