Sometimes he even lines them up by colors. If his life's in overload, organizing a plastic zoo is how the 4-year-old compensates. The menagerie adds structure and familiarity to his life.

He's been organizing his toys since he was 1 1/2 years old. For his parents, Chris and Sarah Brewer, of Marseilles, the activity was an early indication their son was somehow different.

Chris suspected autism, but Sarah thought it was related to his seizures, because he also has epilepsy.

"I was shocked to learn it was autism," Sarah said. "As a mother, you don't want anything to be seriously wrong."

After a year of doctor visits and tests, Jacob was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

His parents believe a service dog would bring structure to his life and help him remain calm in stressful situations. The hurdle: a service dog will cost $12,000.

The Brewers are working with 4 Paws For Ability, an organization that trains and places service animals to people with disabilities to provide companionship and promote independent living.

The cost of training a service dog ranges from $6,000 for a street-certified companion dog with no advanced skills to $14,000 for a fully-trained service dog, according to the 4 Paws Web site. The organization estimates a typical span of three to nine months for a family to raise enough money to buy a dog.

So far, the Brewers have invested $500 and received $2,500 in donations made by family and friends. Chris and Sarah didn't think they would be approved for a loan for a service dog, Sarah said. The family continues to brainstorm look for ways to raise the money.

Jacob's hope a dog would help Jacob's atypical reactions to sensory stimulation.

His parents have to keep a watchful eye on him at all times in case he bgins to wander. He doesn't see the danger of traffic. If he neared danger while tethered to a dog, Chris reasons, the dog could shift all its weight the opposite direction to prevent disaster.

They also hope a dog would be able to track Jacob if he ever got lost.

"We can't set him down," Chris said. "He'll take off and run. If we do (set him down), we have to have a death grip."

If he were to wander off in public, Jacob, who was nonverbal until he was 3 years old, wouldn't be able to tell someone his name, Sarah said.

"If you ask him his name, he'll say elephant or whatever animal he's thinking of," Sarah said.

The Brewers seldom take Jacob into public because he lacks socialization skills.

"If you take him to a restaurant, good luck," Chris said. "He'll fly from table to table."

But his reactions to new situations can lead from one extreme to the other. He'll cower in a corner or dash around the room.

He also jabbers often and will say things that confuse children his age, causing most to shy away.

He jabbers when he's nervous and jumps around for stimulation.

"It's like this for us," Sarah said as she tapped her fingertips on the table. "It doesn't feel the same for him as it does for us."

They're optimistic a dog would help Jacob relax and make him appear more approachable to children.

As with many autistic children, Jacob is routine oriented. If his day changes, he'll have a meltdown. Something as simple as exiting through a different door or placing him into his car seat a different way can set him off, Sarah said.

He's recently been experiencing changes in his preschool. His therapy sessions have been reduced and he has a new therapist. He was toilet trained, but has been regressing. His parents feel the backslide has been brought on by changes at school.

Since Jacob has epilepsy, Chris would prefer Jacob receive a Labrador or German shepherd because those breeds are known for sensing seizures, he said.

Jacob's sister, 2-year-old Irene, is "excellent" when Jacob has seizures, Chris said. She sits with her borther and comforts him. But she also antagonizes her older brother like little sisters do, Sarah said.

Jacob only has seizures about once a month, but his parents think he's also having seizures in his sleep. They're hoping a dog could move Jacob's blankets and pillows before a seizure begins and alert his parents.

However, the Brewers would not get to choose the breed of dog Jacob would receive. Currently 90 percent of the applications 4 Paws receives are for families of children with autism.

Once the funds are raised, a dog is trained specifically for Jacob. The family must travel to the organization's base in Ohio to train with the dog for one to two weeks.

For more information on 4 Paws For Ability, visit its Web site at www.4pawsforability.org.

- The Brewers will have a booth at the fifth annual motorcycle Freedom Run Saturday, June 16, in Marseilles. They are selling autism T-shirts with 4 Paws For Ability logos on the back. The T-shirts will cost $15. For another $5, autism bracelets can be purchased. Smoothies also will be sold.

- The Brewers plan to a have a bowl-a-thon, but the details have not been set. They also are considering a booth at Rockin' on the River Fun Days in Marseilles Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1.

- Donations can directly be made to 4 Paws in Jacob's name. Checks are to be made out to 4 Paws For Ability TM Inc. and mailed to 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, OH 45385. An indication should be made to place the donation in Jacob's name.

- All proceeds will go directly 4 Paws For Ability and are tax deductible. If the Brewers fail to raise the full amount needed to purchase a service dog, the money stays with 4 Paws as a donation. The Brewers can be reached at 815-795-6233.