Vandalia couple inspires 4 Paws to add Alzheimer’s service dogs
Xenia-based nonprofit saw impact of pint-sized dog on couple’s lives.
Four Paws for Ability is starting a new program to provide service dogs for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
The new program comes after the Xenia-based nonprofit organization placed Diva, a 4-year-old Papillon, with John and Judy Kucharski, of Vandalia.
“I couldn’t do it without (Diva). It takes me away from the situation a little bit,” John Kucharski said of his daily reality providing care for his wife.
The Kucharskis’ lives changed dramatically in 2002 when Judy started showing signs of dementia. The couple, married for 47 years, has three children.
John said Judy is “a great mother and great wife,” but her illness has been “devastating.” There are times when she reacts violently because she doesn’t recognize him and fears he is a stranger in her home, he said.
“It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever been through,” he said. “If I didn’t love her I wouldn’t do this. It’s devastating. But when you love someone, it’s what you do.”
In addition to providing companionship for John, Diva is a comfort to Judy and encourages her to take daily walks. “When she’s really upset he’ll put the dog on her lap. She immediately starts to calm down,” said Karen Shirk, founder and CEO of 4 Paws for Ability.
Shirk said seeing the difference that the pint-sized dog made in the Kucharskis’ lives was an inspiration to create the Alzheimer’s Assistant Dog Program.
“We actually developed the program because we saw what an amazing difference it made in ( John’s) life,” Shirk said. “This dog will seek
continued from B1 her out the minute he puts her down in a chair ... John always told us the dog really saved his life.”
The primary mission of 4 Paws for Ability is focused on placing trained service dogs with disabled children, but the organization, located at 253 Dayton Ave., has expanded its services to help veterans and train dogs for specific purposes, such as alerting their owner of a seizure or diabetic emergency before it happens.
The organization has trained and placed about 1,500 dogs with people worldwide, Shirk said.
She said the new Alzheimer’s assistance program will include dogs trained to locate missing people. “Once we place a dog that needs to do search and rescue, we’ll use a larger breed for that,” she said.
The cost to train and place a dog with a family can cost up to $60,000 and the fee charged is $17,000. Shirk said fundraising enables most families to not pay anything for their service dog.
For more information, visit 4pawsforability.org or call 937374-0385. Contact this reporter at 937225-6985 or email Richard. Wilson@coxinc.com. Founder and CEO of 4 Paws for Ability
‘We actually developed the program because we saw what an amazing difference it made in (John’s) life.’ Karen Shirk