From Service to Saving Lives: One Maine Hero’s Patriotic Mission with Working Dogs

Yesterday, Matt and I took a trip to Oxford, Maine and it was nothing short of life-changing.

We visited Christy Gardner an Auburn native who is the founder of Mission Working Dogs a nonprofit, training purpose-bred dogs.

The program sits on a 12-acre site with 10 buildings, as per Christy.

Driving into MWD was like entering a new world, a haven where service and therapy dogs are trained to help Mainers in need. From first responders to veterans, her dogs are changing lives and so is she.

Who is Christy Gardner?

When we met her, you can tell right away, she’s the epitome of a badass and comes from a family filled with military service.

During her sophomore year at Long Island University, her life changed when she witnessed the 9/11 attacks. That tragedy partly inspired her to join the military.

Now, here’s the kicker, Christy is not only a U.S. Army veteran but also a double amputee who has endured more than most of us could ever imagine.

Christy can’t reveal where she was injured overseas, it’s locked away in the secrecy of her military service. But what she did share with us was nothing short of astonishing.

Christy told me she had skull fractures, a broken haw, broken nose, broken cheeks, traumatic brain injury, crushed left arm, some repairs to her right hand/wrist, three abdominal surgeries due to organ damage, and was stabbed in the spine.

She has an incomplete spinal cord injury and lost her legs from it all.

But instead of giving up, she leaned on her service dog, Moxie, to regain her confidence. Today, a statue of Moxie proudly stands outside the building.

And that bond is what inspired her to create Mission Working Dogs, and boy, has she made an impact.

Not only has Christy rebuilt her life but she’s also represented Team USA in sled hockey AND in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

What happens at Mission Working Dogs?

When Matt and I arrived at her site, at the jump, we were swimming in golden retrievers, we were met with love from Luna, Doug, Liberty Bell, Tator and 3 puppies

This woman is a walking miracle, a hero in every sense of the word.

Her dogs are give life-changing support to people. They help to regain independence and bring healing through the bond between the human and the dog they are paired with.

A lot goes into pairing someone with a service dog at MWD, you stay on the property for two weeks in perfectly appointed houses on-site, and the work begins.

The dogs help with everything from helping people with PTSD navigate public spaces go to the movies, to helping with daily tasks like doing laundry. I know, it’s crazy.

Now, take a puppy break..

Here’s a moment that left me pretty speechless was when Christy showed us these special medical boots.

They’re designed to give people a glimpse of what it feels like to walk without legs, helping them understand and connect with the dogs they’re training. I mean, talk about innovation and strength.

Read More: Honoring a Maine Hero: 101st Birthday and Legacy of Service 

Lauren King, a former elementary school teacher, shared with me that she left the classroom to join Christy and her mission with the dogs. Now Lauren serves as the Client and Services Coordinator and says she’s never been happier and finds daily inspiration in their work.

Christy Gardner isn’t just taking care of our country, she’s taking care of us, our neighbors, our families. She’s the epitome of a patriot. Matt and I couldn’t pick our jaws off the floor. Truly, I’ve never met anyone quite like her.

Check out MWD on Facebook! 

Let’s give Christy and her incredible team the round of applause they deserve and hey, maybe even consider supporting her work?

You can learn more at Mission Working Dogs.

Christy Gardner reminds us all what true grit looks like.

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