We would like for you to meet our son Christian. He is our pride and joy!! Christian was born January 16, 2013 a seemingly healthy boy. Between 12 months and 24 months of age, we noticed he did not talk as much as other children his age or play with other children in his class. He also made a humming noise most of the time. When he was 2 years old we took him for his 24 month checkup and the doctor told us what we were already thinking. He wanted to have him further tested for Autism. In December of 2015 it was confirmed and our sweet Christian was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Speech and Language Disorder and Delayed Developmental milestones. He is now 3-1/2 years old and communicates some but many of his words are hard to understand unless you are around him all the time and just know what he is trying to say. He does not handle large groups of people well and does not handle being in new places or disruptions to his normal daily routine. He gets frustrated a lot because he sometimes cannot make everyone understand what he wants or needs, and sometimes self-harms himself during his frustration. He really has to be watched continuously because he is a climber and very active and does not understand danger. When in public we have to hold tightly to him because he will run or wander away from us.
We came across some information about autism service dogs and decided to look around for possible ways to get one for our son. We stumbled upon an organization called 4 Paws for Ability in Ohio who provides service dogs trained especially for children like Christian. We went through the application process and were excited to hear that our son is approved and accepted into the program!! We feel a service dog will help our son become more social and to help with behavior disruption (self-harming, meltdowns) and Christian will be tethered to the dog in public places to help keep him from running or wandering away.
It costs 4 Paws more than $22,000 to raise and properly train a service dog with our son’s specific needs in mind. We are committed to raise $15,000 in support of the 4 Paws mission. The money we raise will go to 4 Paws for Ability directly, to help them to care for and train these special animals. Our fundraising will help us obtain a service dog through 4 Paws for our son. This organization helps many children and adults who need an assistance or service dog for their disabilities and we are excited to help our son as well as help this organization continue their work for others in need.
All donations should be made DIRECTLY to:
4 Paws for Ability
In Honor of Christian Alford
253 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, Ohio, 45385.
Please make checks out to 4 Paws for Ability and please make sure to write on your check memo line – “In honor of Christian Alford” – so that we receive the points from your donation. All donations made are tax deductible as 4 Paws for Ability is a non-profit 501c3 organization. Any services or products donated for an event is also tax deductible!!
If you wish to make a donation on-line the website, is www.4pawsforability.org/donate-now . Include Christian’s name in the “instructions to merchant” through PayPal. You may also call to make a credit card donation over the phone at (937) 374-0385 – Monday thru Friday 9AM to 4PM EST. 4 Paws for Ability will send you a tax deductible receipt of your giving.
Thank you for helping us,
Bradley and Tiffany Alford (Christian’s mom and dad) 936-334-9366