Air New Zealand provides free transportation for four autism service dogs destined for New Zealand
January 24, 2010 Excerpted from CargoNews Issue 110 with permission of Air New Zealand, Los Angeles
LAX Cargo had the rare privilege to assist a most worthy cause, the transportation of 4 trained dogs for 4 Paws for Ability to Auckland on NZ01/24 Jan, 2010. Executive Director Karen Shirk started 4 Paws for Ability in the 1990’s because of the difficulty she experienced in obtaining a service dog for her own family. Many of the current agencies have waiting lists or age specific requirements which make obtaining a service dog all but impossible. With this experience in mind, Karen then started 4 Paws for Ability, “…and to keep as a founding principle the willingness to provide service dogs for any individual regardless of age or disability.”
4 Paws for Ability, Inc, mission is to:
- Enrich the lives of people with disabilities by the training and placement of service dogs to provide individuals with companionship and [to] promote independent living;
- Educate the public to accept the use of service dogs in public places;
- Assist with animal rescue whenever possible by obtaining many of our animals from shelters and rescue groups.
Eric Bimber, Cargo Sales Manager, Southwest, worked closely with 4 Paws to provide the passage to New Zealand, (with great thanks to CEO Rob Fyfe for his personal approval) for these 4 beautiful, fully trained dogs to help children with disabilities. Also, great thanks from 4 Paws to Sandro Penzo, Rick Nelson and Sal Sanfilippo.
The cost for one of these dogs can normally range from USD$240-$14,000, based on the amount of training necessary. But—this cost is absorbed by the applicant, who uses fund raising activities to gather the necessary resources, with assistance from 4 Paws as necessary.
This shipment to New Zealand was actually the second one from 4 Paws, and was destined to 4 Paws for Ability New Zealand Charitable Trust. All 4 of these dogs went to children with Autism or Seizure disorders.
LAX Cargo received a heart-warming, hand-written letter of appreciation, and Karen described her experience with Cargo/LAX as “wonderful.”
Looking forward to the next time we can be of assistance, Karen!