4 Paws For Ability

Nampa, Idaho -- Man's best friend could give a 2 year old his independence.


One Nampa boy is hoping for the dog that can make that wish come true. Christian Westby, according to his mother, is a wonderful, almost typical, 2 year old except for being able to get around. His cerebral palsy slows his muscles down, but not his spirit.

"He's a spectacular little boy. I wouldn't change anything about him," Kristina Westby said about her son.

"The physical therapist looked at him and said, ‘You know what? If he had a mobility dog, he could get out of his walker and walk,' and said ‘That's it, we have to do it,'" said Kristina.

The dog will be trained specifically for Christian, but costs $13,000 dollars. It would come from, and get the special training from, 4 Paws For Ability.

"There's just penny jars everywhere and we've put out fliers," said Kristina.

A few Karcher Mall shops are pitching in. Some store owners thought that "nickel and diming" their way to $13,000 wasn't going to get there fast enough.

"I went around and asked people to volunteer and I got quite a few other people in the mall to participate," said Rochelle Weller of The Candy Stand.

"Most of the guys in the RC community, I think are pretty giving and they're always up for a good cause so I thought it would be a lot quicker way in trying to raise some money for them," said Troy Dewey from Dewey's Hobbies.

Saturday's fundraiser should help out. With games, raffles, racing, and junk food.

"All of the proceeds are going to go directly to Christian's fund for the dog," said Dewey.

All to get Christian a helpful friend so that his mom can keep chasing after him.

"For him to be able to go out in the yard and play, and me to just be able to leave the door open," said Kristina. "He's so bright, and he has so much to accomplish, and we want to see him do it as soon as possible."

Christian's friends and family will rally at the Northwest end of Karcher Mall Saturday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The racing is at Dewey's Toys and Hobbies, with The Candy Stand right across the way offering baked goods and the raffle.

Many shops in the mall have donated gifts and gift certificates for the raffle.

For more information about 4 Paws For Mobility and how you can help Christian, visit http://www.4pawsforability.com/.