Photo/Jared Putnam A staff football game Wednesday at North Forsyth High School will raise money for 4 Paws for Ability, an organization that provides autism assistance dogs. Kelly Martin, a geography teacher at North, hasn't let a broken wrist stop her from practicing for the upcoming game. Photo/Submitted Martin's son Carter suffers from "classic autism" and will be receiving a dog from the group. At a glance NFHS benefit staff football game When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Where: North Forsyth High, 3635 Coal Mountain Drive Cost: $5 More: Want to donate but can't see the game? Go online at www.4pawsforability.org for more information.

North Forsyth High School teachers will swap their lesson plans for game faces Wednesday night.

The first staff football game is as much about alms as it is touchdowns. The event, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the high school in Coal Mountain, benefits 4 Paws for Ability, an organization that provides autism assistance dogs.

"I've been so blessed, I just want to pay it forward," said Kelly Martin, a geography teacher at North.

Martin, a single mother of two boys, originally had the idea of a staff game to raise funds to buy an autism dog for her youngest son, Carter, who has "classic autism" or Kanner's syndrome.

Through numerous donations, she's already raised the $13,000 plus necessary for her son's dog and training. But the game will go on, so others can be helped.

Martin said 100 percent of all profits from the game, including concessions and T-shirt sales, will benefit 4 Paws for Ability, the organization supplying Carter's dog.

In fact, she's so driven about the event that snapping her wrist during a recent practice won't stop her from playing in the game, despite the cast now on her arm.

In something of a role reversal, school coaches will play for both sides and two students will coach the game.

North quarterback Eli Chester will coach one team, and running back Jory Walsh the other.

North head football coach Jared Zito will referee. He picked Chester and Walsh as coaches because "they are both just very responsible."

Zito hopes for a big turnout.

"It'll be a lot of fun and hopefully it'll be a good atmosphere for the faculty and student body," he said.

In addition to the contest, both North's band and ROTC will perform at the game.

North administrator Susan Steffey helped Martin organize much of the event, and nearly 100 staff members have volunteered to work either concessions or ticket booths.

Martin said she wants other families to have the "improved quality of life" she'll soon receive.

"It's pretty amazing, the bond between the dog and the child," she said.

"A lot of people are skeptical about using animals," she added. "But this is simply, literally, a friend for Carter and that's going to help him in so many ways."

Carter's type of autism is most apparent socially, his mother said. He often doesn't engage other children and a mere break in routine -- something as simple as putting him in a different car seat -- could make him "melt down."

Autistic children do much better, Martin said, with routine.

"(A dog) is a constant for Carter," she said. "If he has that dog with him 24/7, if he's in a new environment, at least he'll have his buddy there."

The dogs aren't just for companionship and Martin was quick to say they're not "baby sitters" either.

Carter's dog will be trained in tracking, tethering and behavior intervention and modification.

Tracking is important, Martin said, because "most children with autism are Houdinis."

Tethering, she explained, is when the child has a harness attached to the dog. The dog is trained to brace when the child makes a sudden move.

Behavior intervention is when the dog is trained to distract a child during "a meltdown" by putting its head in the child's lap.

Sometimes, Martin added, the dog and person become so close, the dog can tell when "a fit" is coming on, and actually prevent it.

Through the football game and the funds it raises, the mother just wants to help other families because "it's an answer of prayer."

"It changes the quality of life," she said.

E-mail Lara Moore at laramoore@forsythnews.com.

Originally published Sunday, March 9, 2008