W.A.G.S. 4 Kids

Making a Difference From Prison

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 10:04:35 -0700

At W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, we believe that everyone has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of others. It's because of this belief that we're especially proud to work with the inmates of the Ohio Department of Correction and Rehabilitation (ODRC). Since 2007, our team has partnered with the ODRC using an award-winning, accredited Service Dog Training Program, allowing us to apprentice inmate trainers who then train W.A.G.S. 4 Kids service dogs. As these men prepare to re-enter society, they're learning a skill that can be used later in life, as well as learning what it means to change the lives of children with special needs.

Our inmate trainers work with their service dogs in training for months, teaching them many of the essential skills they will need to serve their child partner so that upon graduation, their dog is ready to be placed with its family. For 13 years, this graduation has included a ceremony celebrating the accomplishments of each dog and all of the trainers involved in their upbringing. Each family is invited into the correctional facility, and as we hand over the leash we ask "who here has had a hand in raising this service dog". To see all the hands go up is a moment no family will ever forget. This is a moment of pride for every man in that room to take ownership in knowing their efforts are about to change the whole world for one child and their family. 2020 has taken these precious moments away from us and away from them, but it can never take away the pride felt by the men who live with, raise, and train these priceless service dogs. The W.A.G.S. 4 Kids service dog to most recently graduate from her training is Linda. When Linda and her trainer, Shaun, parted, Shaun wrote a letter to Linda's new owner, Ben. It is with his permission that we share those words with you.

Shaun's letter to Ben:

We're immensely grateful for trainers like Shaun who have dedicated so much time and effort into...Read More

Inclusion Is an Action

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:13:14 -0700

Disability Pride Month is a time for the disability community to shine.

It is a time to celebrate people with disabilities for everything they contribute, everything they accomplish, and everything they are capable of doing.

It is also a challenge to the rest of us: know more, do better, and become stronger allies.

Inclusion is not a slogan. It is not a social media graphic, a designated month, or a well-meaning statement.

Inclusion is what we do.

It is reflected in the spaces we create, the assumptions we challenge, the words we choose, and the way we treat people when support, access, or accommodation is needed.

Presume competence

One of the most meaningful things you can do is start from the belief that a person with a disability is capable.

Do not confuse a need for support with an inability to understand, contribute, decide, or lead.

Speak directly to the person. Include them in the conversation. Give them the time and space to respond for themselves.

Do not speak over them, around them, or down to them.

Support should create access—not erase someone’s voice.

Ask instead of assuming

Even well-intentioned help can become frustrating when it is offered without listening.

Do not assume that someone needs assistance. Ask.

Do not assume you know what would make a situation easier. Ask.

Do not assume every person with the same diagnosis, disability, or support need has the same experience.

People are the experts on their own...Read More

Meet Alice

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:47:39 -0700

Alice is a sweet 6-year-old girl with autism who is nonverbal. She experiences the world in unique ways and communicates through her own expressions, gestures, and actions. She faces daily challenges with communication, sleep, safety, and sensory regulation.

Alice is prone to elopement, making constant supervision necessary to keep her safe. Public places can be overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities, often causing anxiety and difficulty participating in everyday activities. She struggles with sleep, which affects both her and her family's well-being. At times, Alice engages in self-injurious behaviors when she becomes overwhelmed or unable to communicate her needs.

For Alice, a service dog would be much more than a pet—it would be a trusted partner, a source of security, and a bridge to greater independence and participation in the world around her. The support of a service dog would help Alice and her family navigate daily life with increased confidence, safety, and peace of mind. Allowing Alice to have a better quality of life.

OR You can also mail a check or money order to:

W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, 112 East Center Street, Berea, OH 44017

Colson’s journey hasn’t been easy. Born at just 30 weeks and weighing only 2.5 pounds, he fought hard from the very beginning. He spent months on various forms of oxygen and struggled to pass his newborn hearing screenings until he received ear tubes. Around 18 months old, we began noticing that his verbal communication, sign language, and even the motor skills in his hands were regressing. A few months later, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and global developmental delay. At this time, we don’t know if Colson will ever be verbal but we have hopes that someday he will be!

Colson constantly seeks sensory input —movement, textures, sounds, and visual stimulation. He struggles with food aversion and textures of food. He is curious and unaware of danger, often
running toward anything that catches his eye. Crowded places overwhelm him, and sensory overload can cause him to try to escape the environment. He frequently needs deep pressure for comfort and regulation, often turning to his mom for that support.

This is why we are seeking a service dog for Colson.

A trained service dog would not only be a loyal companion and friend — it would be a life‑changing source of safety, comfort, and independence. A service dog can help keep him close when we’re
outside the home, provide deep‑pressure sensory support when he needs it, and help him navigate overwhelming environments more calmly. Colson loves fluffy dogs, and we truly believe that a service...Read More

Meet Milo

Wed, 20 May 2026 07:58:47 -0700

Milo is a bright, loving, energetic little boy who keeps our family on our toes in the very best ways. He lives at home with his mom and dad, Chelsea and Steven, along with his baby sister, Addison, who already absolutely adores him. Milo is curious about the world, deeply connected to the people he trusts, and has a personality that can light up a room. Like many children with autism, Milo experiences the world differently, and our family has learned to celebrate those differences while also navigating the unique challenges that come with them. Our journey here has been one of learning, advocating, adapting, and doing everything we can to help Milo feel safe, understood, and successful in a world that is not always designed for him. Through therapies, routines, school supports, and endless teamwork, we continue to learn more about what helps Milo thrive.

One of the biggest challenges we currently face is safety and emotional regulation. Transitions, overstimulation, unfamiliar environments, and changes to routine can quickly become overwhelming for Milo. Public outings often require constant vigilance because of impulsivity and wandering concerns, and communication during moments of distress can be difficult. Everyday activities that many families take for granted — going to the store, attending community events, traveling, or even simple transitions throughout the day — can require extensive planning and support. An autism service dog would provide Milo with grounding, emotional comfort, companionship, and increased safety during difficult moments. A task-trained service dog could assist with interrupting escalating behaviors, helping with transitions, providing deep pressure support, and giving Milo a consistent calming presence he can rely on both at home and in public settings.

We hope a service dog will help Milo feel safer, more confident, and more independent as he navigates everyday life. Our dream is for...Read More

22 Years of Impact—and What Comes Next

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:13:28 -0700

Dear WAGS 4 Kids Community,

As we mark 22 years of W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, this moment offers an opportunity not only to reflect on where we’ve been—but to clearly define where we are and where we’re going.

Where We Are

Over the past year, our organization has continued to operate from a position of strength, stability, and growth.

In 2025, we placed nine service dogs with children and families across our service area—each partnership representing not just a milestone, but the beginning of a long-term relationship built on training, trust, and support. Since our founding in 2004, that number has grown to more than 150 placements, each one reinforcing the impact of this work and the need for it to continue.

Our reach remains strong across 38 counties in Ohio, with continued demand from families seeking access to service dog programs that meet them where they are.

And it is shaping how we think about scale, access, and sustainability moving forward.

The Work Behind the Work

We continue to invest in the full scope of our program—from the earliest stages of puppy development through advanced training and long-term placement support.

This work requires time, resources, and a level of consistency that can only be sustained through a committed and engaged community.

And that community continues to show up.

In 2025, we saw that commitment reflected in powerful ways—from the continued success of our community-driven events to the emergence of new leadership through initiatives like Hope Heroes.

What began as a student-led project became a $50,000 investment in our mission—reinforcing the idea that impact is not defined by age, but by action.

Meet Atlas

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:48:36 -0700

Atlas is a bright and determined 6-year-old boy with a deep love for learning, discovery, and hands-on exploration. He is especially drawn to science and enjoys figuring out how things work. Atlas has hyperlexia, giving him an incredible ability to read and a natural fascination with letters, numbers, and words. He also loves to build and create, especially with LEGO, kinetic sand, and clay. He moves through the world with curiosity, creativity, and a perspective that is entirely his own.

Atlas is autistic and also lives with Spina Bifida and epilepsy, which affect his mobility, balance, and endurance. He wears leg braces and uses a wheelchair for longer distances. Atlas also has a severe speech delay, which can make it difficult for him to express his needs, especially when he feels overwhelmed or is in unfamiliar environments. In those moments, frustration and anxiety can build quickly, leaving him feeling lost in a world that often moves faster than he can communicate.

A service dog through W.A.G.S. 4 Kids will provide Atlas with mobility support, including bracing and stability, while also offering constant emotional grounding and reassurance. His dog will be a steady, calming presence, helping him feel safe, understood, and more confident as he navigates school and everyday life.

Atlas has the sweetest soul and a quiet strength that inspires everyone around him. He experiences the world in his own beautiful way, and when he feels safe and supported, his personality shines: playful, loving, and full of wonder. A service dog will be so much more than a helper. It will be his stability when his body feels unsure, his comfort when the world feels overwhelming, and his loyal best friend through it all. With a service dog by his side, Atlas will have greater freedom, confidence, and independence to keep exploring the world and growing into the incredible boy he already is.

Having a trained service animal will play a vital role in supporting Elena’s emotional wellbeing and independence. We feel as a family that the dog will help provide calming support during times of anxiety or sensory overlapping, allowing Elena to better regulate her emotions. The animal will also be most helpful with transitions or unfamiliar situations.

In addition, the service animal will enhance Elena’s ability to safely participate in daily activities and community outings by offering support and companionship. The presence will help with confidence and security, helping her explore the environment around her with greater independence. This partnership will be an important tool in helping Elena reach her fullest potential and improve her quality of life. Thank you so much for reading about our girl.

You can also mail a check or money order to:

W.A.G.S. 4 Kids, 112 East Center Street, Berea, OH 44017