Friends of Bob and Kari Rowley have organized a fundraising event to help offset the cost of an autism assistance dog for their son, Alec.

The event is a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, staged by local theater group, Private Eyes Unlimited. It will be held next month at the Waterloo Holiday Inn.

The evening will feature a silent auction and event organizers are seeking donations from area vendors.

The cost to raise and train a dog is $11,000, more than half of which has already been raised.

Alec, 5, has autism, a neurological disorder that is now affecting one in every 150 children. It affects Alec's understanding and communication and sometimes traps him in a world that is frustrating and confusing. In many ways, autism is invisible; Alec is extremely bright and the combination of the two can lead to him being misunderstood. It is not uncommon for Alec to become overwhelmed by normal activities, causing him to act out and display inappropriate behaviors.

After much research, his parents believe they have found a way to help Alec in his day-to-day activities - 4 Paws for Ability, Inc, a training program for service dogs.

The mission at 4 Paws for Ability is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities by training and placing service animals with people to provide them with companionship and promote independent living.