Karess Lee
Ms.Lopez
WRD110
9/11/2014

Topic: 4 Paws for ability at University of Kentucky. I found this article at uk4paws.wix.com. It didn't have a publisher and gets updated regularly. I found this program by talking to a young lady on how she got the dog and why and wanted to look more into the organization.


Summary-Topic:4 Paws for ability at University of Kentucky
After researching more about this program I found it to be very interesting and heart warming. 4 Paws for ability is a program that teaches students how to get involved in community service and also have fun while doing it. Students at University of Kentucky are allowed to take the puppies everywhere they go classes, out to eat, shopping and more. The dog already comes knowing the basic commands. Their job is to help the dogs adapt to their surroundings.  I feel that letting students socialize a service dog  for someone in need is a great way to give back that is why this program is so heart warming. Some people don't have the time to train a dog to become social but for this program to let students help is a great thing and helps a lot of people not just the ones in need. This program was founded in 1998 by Karen  Shirk after she tried unsuccessfully for years to obtain a service dog.  Karen dreamed of a place where applicants for service dogs were not judged based on severity of disability and set out to start her own organization. Her dream became the large, thriving, respected nonprofit program. They place the dogs with children and they never turn them down like traditional service dog programs.

Questions/ Reflections-Topic:4 Paws for ability
This organization really meant something to me because they don't deny any children they make sure all get what they need. I question why these traditional organizations have so many rules and where do they cut off at? How can you tell which child needs it more and which ones don't if they are all in need? It makes you think more about our world and do they really care about those in need. In my eyes Karen is a hero because she took a risk to help others in need like herself