Jennifer and Michael Schwenker’s twin boys were about 18 months old when they were diagnosed with autism.

Four years later, the boys still speak very little, don’t interact much with others and exhibit repetitive behavior and frequent meltdowns. And now that they’re older, they’ve added a new problem: The two can get out of the house or disappear in a store in the blink of an eye, Jennifer Schwenker said.

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Michael Schwenker

A service dog would help keep twins Ben (left) and Sam Schwenker safe; their parents need to raise $13,000 for a dog.

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“And they have no fear. They will play in the street, run toward water or climb into unlocked cars,” she said. “It’s scary.”

That’s why the family is trying to raise $13,000 for a service dog that would help keep the boys safe.

Schwenker, an elementary school teacher, said she spent a year searching for an assistance dog for her boys, but the groups had waiting lists of three to five years, wouldn’t place animals with young children, or didn’t train autism dogs. Then she found 4 Paws For Ability, a group in Xenia, Ohio. They agreed to place a dog with the family, but the nonprofit service dog group requires families raise part of the cost of the dogs.

“We like our families to work to get their dogs so they feel like they’ve been a part of the process,” said Karen Shirk, founder and executive director of the group. “It also means we can place more dogs and in less time.”

Shirk, who is disabled, founded the organization 10 years ago after she was repeatedly turned down for a service dog. Now she tries to help others like herself who otherwise might never get a dog. She said they usually can get a family a dog in 12 to 18 months after they apply.

Shirk said the autism service dogs are the most requested. The one the Schwenkers hope to get will help their boys curb repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping or spinning, calm them during meltdowns, and help keep the twins safe by being tethered to the boys in public and watching them at home. The dog will even be trained in search and rescue if Ben or Sam escapes.

“Now that Ben and Sam are old enough to open doors and climb fences, it’s getting really difficult to keep up with them,” Schwenker said. “I firmly believe this dog is going to keep my children safer.”

For more information about the family, go to www.freewebs.com/adogforbenandsam/index.htm . Members of their church, Marietta First Baptist Church at 148 Church St., are helping the family raise money and are holding a Southern Living sale today from 2 to 4 p.m. People also can make donations directly to 4 Paws at www.4pawsforability.org or mailed to 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, OH, 45385. Donations must be marked for Ben and Sam Schwenker.

A Cumming veterinarian and an Athens cat rescuer are in the running to be Animal Planet Heroes. Tracy Land, a Cumming veterinarian who runs a low-cost spay/neuter clinic, is one of 10 finalists to be the channel’s 2008 Hero of the Year. In 1996 Land started Project Spay/Neuter at her Pet Vet clinic. Since then the clinic has fixed more than 55,000 dogs and cats, including many at a subsidized cost for low-income families. Land also does discounted work for local rescue groups. If she wins the vote on the pet channel’s Web site, she’ll receive a $10,000 donation and a trip.

The Athens woman, Kelly Bettinger, is in the running for Cat Hero of the Year with a $5,000 prize. Bettinger helped start Campus Cats, a program to spay or neuter and vaccinate the cats that live on the University of Georgia campus. Voting in both contests ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday. Go to animal.discovery.com and look under “Pets” to vote.

Costumed pets can win prizes Saturday at the Howlin’ Halloween Pet Costume Contest at Top Dogs Pet Boutique in Kennesaw. Prizes are for the three best costumes and best trick. The $15 entry fee includes a goodie bag. All proceeds go to Southern Hope Humane Society. Noon, 2615 George Busbee Parkway. Register in advance at 770-218-0602. Info: www.topdogspetboutique.com.

boutique.com.

Good Mews, a no-kill cat shelter in Marietta, is holding a dinner and auction 7 p.m. Saturday at the Westin Buckhead Atlanta. The event includes a sit-down meal, two drink tickets, live and silent auctions, and DJ. Dress is cocktail or ’80s attire (to celebrate the group’s 20th year.) 3391 Peachtree Road. Tickets are $115 at www.goodmews.org or call 770-499-2287.

Grab a picnic and the family and head out to East Cobb Park in Marietta from 1 to 4 p.m. today for a concert. Octave, a women’s a cappella group, will perform, along with singers Breakdown and the Luchsingers. There also will be a Frisbee dog show and a parade of rescued dogs. Donations will be accepted for Mostly Mutts, an Acworth dog rescue group. 3322 Roswell Road. Information: myspace.com/octaveatlanta.