Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Lutes.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey with 4 Paws for Ability started as a volunteer. I was looking to make a meaningful impact on the world and came across 4 Paws, an organization that trains service dogs for children and veterans with disabilities. What I did not anticipate, is how my involvement as a volunteer would ignite a passion in me that would turn into a decades long career. I had the opportunity to hands on training the service dogs for people with disabilities and would regularly here how the dogs were able to find missing children or alert to seizures. As 4 Paws continued to grow, I was able to expand my skills with it and eventually become the executive director. As an organization we have placed over 2,000 service dogs, and each one represents true life change for a person with disabilities. I am proud to see how far we have come and excited for what is in store in the future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We rely on a large number of volunteers and a core group of staff to place service dogs all over the country. During covid it was a challenge to figure out how to continue to meet the needs of our team while also continuing to support the mission. It took a lot of creativity to figure out a plan, and we constantly had to adapt it to the changing times.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about 4 Paws for Ability?
4 Paws for Ability specializes in uniquely training each service dog to meet the needs of their partner with disability. Dogs have amazing noses, and we were able to focus that skill on important tasks such as alerting to seizures or other scent based medical events, as well as finding people who were lost. 4 Paws does not have a minimum age requirement, so children in need come from all over the country to receive a 4 Paws service dog. I am proud that 4 Paws is able to fit this niche, and know that there are children who are alive today because they have a 4 Paws dog by their side.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We have many ways to get involved by volunteering or donating to the cause!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.4pawsforability.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4pawsforability/
