Colten Work of Stockport, Ohio was awarded the Grand Champion Steer at the Barlow Independent Fair on Saturday September 24, 2022. Colten was excited for his accomplishment but had another goal in mind with his Grand Champion Steer, Buckeye. Colten had met a young girl with autism who was fundraising for a service dog from 4 Paws for Ability. Harper Jo Shivener had been raising funds for her own service dog and the family needed to raise $20,000. Colton is a member of the Palmer Lads & Lassies 4-H Club.
Service dogs along with their training can cost up to $60,000. 4 Paws for Ability works with families and tasks them with raising $20,000. Shivener was diagnosed at the early age of 2 and struggles with speech and communication as well as running from family and caregivers. The service dog will allow Harper to take part in family outings as it is trained for her safety. Harper’s service dog will be trained for tethering and tracking if she would get away, as well as assisting her with day-to-day tasks and redirect and keep her calm when needed.
Colten along with his family, parents Shawn and Leah Work and sister Callie helped to solicit buyers, talk to fair goers about Harper Jo, and wore t-shirts in support of her fundraising efforts. Colten was able to help Harper reach her goal and put her over the top when his Grand Champion Steer sold for $10,500 at Saturday night’s livestock sale and the Barlow Independent Fair. All of Colten’s earnings with be donated to Harper Jo and she will be able to bring home her forever friend in the near future.
These local businesses contributed to meet the $10,500 goal: Full Circle Oil Field Services, Inc., Fulton Show Cattle & Feeds, Gates Farms, Hall Drilling, Hall Financial Advisors, Integrity Oil Field Services, Michael & Emily Seaman, Moore’s Deer Processing, Niberts Insulation, Pine Ridge Meat Processing, R.C. & Son Construction, Seaman Farms LLC, Sherlock BP Oil Company, Skinner Firestone, Staley Countryside Meat Processing Co. LLC, Sweet Ride Auto Detailing, Tim Holbert, Wetz Transportation, Wetz Warehouse, and Zimmer Oil.