It's tail waggin' time!

Because of an extremely generous donation from an estate (Someone we don’t even know!) plus well over 100 donations in all sorts of amounts, and several successful fundraisers, William’s 4 Paws best friend will be home in time Christmas.

We are in the December class which will train & certify from 11/30 – 12/10. Please pray for mild weather since we will be out everyday practicing tracking. For those of you who William, realize how much we are anticipating having a service dog help us out.

Now we will be working on a video which 4 Paws staff will use to help select a dog that will be trained specifically for William. (Ok, 1st we have to borrow a video camera!) To answer some of the most common questions that we’re asked:

No, we don’t pick out the dog. The 4 Paws staff will choose the dog. We can make suggestions, but ultimately it will be up to their staff.

Just like our kids, the service dog will already come with a name.

The dog will go everywhere William goes (just like “Mary had a little lamb” except the lyrics will be: “William has a service dog”). A service dog is covered under the ADA (American Disabilities Act). Basically, anywhere a wheel chair can go, a service dog may go.

The service dogs 4 Paws places are usually between 11 months – 18 months of age.

Ed or I will be the actual certified trainer. The is one of the few service dog organizations that places service dogs with kids under the age of 10 and where a 3rd party can be the certified handler.

If you want to know more info, you can always visit the 4 paws web site at: http://www.4pawsforability.org.

Now we're on a countdown until we’ll have a “new” family member and William will have a best friend to help keep him safe while helping him feel secure!

Thank you to everyone who has support us with their love, prayers, and their wallets.

Lia Sophia Fundraising Party

Please come to our Lia Sophia Fundraising Party to benefit 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. in William's honor. 15% of sales price will be donated to 4 Paws. Come and have fun while seeing the latest fashions in jewelry.

When: Friday, June 25th @ 7:00 p.m.
Where: William's House

To view an online catalog please go to: www.liasophia.com/carolburke

RSVP's appreciated (need to know how much desert to prepare!). You're welcome to bring a friend!

If you need directions, please let us know.

New fundraising total

Our new fundraising total is $6,924.15 benefiting 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. in William's honor. That puts us over the halfway mark towards our commitment of $13,000.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us in our journey.

Fundraiser at Riverside Coffee Mill

Saturday's fundraiser at Riverside Coffee Mill was AWESOME! And yes, we are still doing Happy Dances!

First round of applause goes to Tiffany Brigner who got this whole fundraiser starter and helped out during the entire event (including publicity).

Second round of applause goes to Jamie & Mike, owners of Riverside for their open arms of hospitality.

Thank you to our fabulous volunteers during the event: Tiffany Brigner, Linda Diller, Wendy Auchenbach, Kathleen Pompa, Brittany Robertson, Debbie Jeschke, and Tyler Rose Auchenbach.

Silent Auctions Donations came from: Mark & Denise Strimple (Wine & Chocolate Basket), Lisa Fragassi (Creative Memories), Angel Reichard (Mary Kay & greeting cards), Laura Hoevener (Adventures Around Cincinnati), Sonnie Woodruff (Maccessorized), Justin & Emily Carabello (Carabello Coffees and Journals), Bill Gore (Magellan GPS & Dream Gear i.Sound), Linda Diller (Shaklee Weekend Warrior Therapy Basket), Mark Pfister (Bob Sumerel Free Oil & Filter Change), Gina Pfister ( lillie reed jewelry), Chris Russell (Lia Sophia Jewelry), and Kathleen Pompa and Wendy Auchenbach (beaded bookmarks).

Special guests included: Dash, 4 Paws Service Dog in Training, and Madison, Therapy Dog. Both got to smell the waffles (and drool) but didn't get to taste them.

A big round of applause goes to everyone who came out and support us Saturday morning enjoying delicious waffles after the Friday night storms.

Thanks everyone for making this a successful event of raising over $1,000 for 4 Paws for Ability in William's honor!

May 22nd Fundraiser at Riverside Coffee Mill

Please join us & invite your friends May 22nd at the Riverside Coffee Mill in Batavia, OH between 9:00 a.m. & noon for a Waffle Breakfast & Silent Auction Fundraiser. The waffles are awesome & you can pick your own topping.

Some of the Silent Auction Items include: Jewelry, Creative Memories Basket, Wine Basket, Mary Kay Basket, Gourmet Coffees Basket, Healthy Home Basket, 2 free Oil Changes, Magellan Maestro GPS, i.Sound Dream Speaker System & Alarm Clock.

The fundraiser benefits 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. in honor of William.

Meeting a Service Dog in Training

Hi, it's me, William. I am so excited because on Sunday after church I meet a service dog in training. A beautiful yellow, soft, fluffy dog named Maestro. I got so many kisses from Maestro and gave so many hugs, it was neat. We got to be together for only a few minutes since we both had to go home. Some kid is really going to be lucky to get Maestro as their very own special dog.

Mom and Dad say a lot of people are helping me get my own special dog. I can't wait 'cause I love dogs. Mom and Dad can't wait either because my own dog will help keep me safe.

If you know me, you know I don't say a whole lot. But thanks to everyone who is helping.

Bye for now!

How to donate

We are celebrating that our fundraising total is $4,962 - almost halfway to our goal of $13,000.00 to unite William and his service dog. The excitement is mounting with every donation.

People are asking how they can donate. There are two primary ways to particpate:

1. Go to: http://4pawsforability.org/donation.html. Once there, you'll see a PayPal logo. Click on it to make your donation. Under "special instructions" please include: "In honor of William Burke".

2. Send a check directly to: 4 Paws for Ability, Inc.
235 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, OH 45385

In the memo line of your check, please write: "In honor of William Burke".

We are in the process of scheduling several fundraising events. Please keep checking back for details.

Thanks!