Tri-Valley Herald

At 7:00 in the morning, Kristine Crawford and her three dogs arrived at the Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area to prepare for their presentation. More than 125 youngsters with physical and mental challenges in special education classes from eight nearby elementary schools will have the treat of visiting with Crawford and her dogs today. This is the 2nd year in a row Crawford has brought her dogs, Cheyenne, Dakota and Tahoe to Shadow Cliffs to talk to the children about dogs and to put on a workshop about overcoming obstacles for children with special needs and their parents and teachers.

Crawford and her dogs know what it's like to overcome obstacles so Crawford attacks life's challenges with astounding enthusiasm. She is the founder of For Pits' Sake, a non-profit organization that strives to make a difference in the lives of others. Crawford spends virtually all of her free time doing search and rescue, educational programs for special needs children, working with battered, abused, and emotionally injured children, and visiting children at Childrens Hospital. "My goal is to inspire those touched by illness or tragedy to dream, and to realize that, despite life's setbacks, those dreams are always in reach," Crawford said.

"Special Kids Day" is a fun-filled day for approximately 125 "special needs" children (those with emotional, educational and physical disabilities) that has food, games, clowns, a nature study, arts and crafts and, of course, fishing!  For those with physical disabilities, special equipment is available to assist so all can take part.

Al Pudo, the Community Program Director for the eight schools participating said that the kids always look forward to the visit with Crawford and her dogs. "It is amazing to watch the transformation a lot of these kids have when they interact with Kristine and her dogs," Pudo said. Crawford's dogs, all pit bulls, have had to overcome many obstacles, myths and misconceptions to get to where they are today so they make great role models for these disadvantaged kids.

Shortly before the children were scheduled to arrive, the event organizer gathered everyone around and reminded everyone why they were here.  "You will see incidents occur today worthy of the label 'miracle'."  He told them that 60 percent of these special needs children come from single parent homes and some are the victims of child abuse. He said, "Please be aware that, for us, it's a nice day and then it's over; but for these disadvantaged kids, it shows them that they are special and loved, and it becomes one of the most important days in their lives!" 

Later, I asked Crawford how she finds the time to hold down a full time job, train her dogs for SAR, and do all of her other volunteer activities, Crawford said, "You make time. We all have something to give so we need to step out of our own lives and into the life of someone else and make a difference in that life."

And today, for 125 special needs children, indeed she has.