September is National Service Dog Month. The U.S. Department of Justice defines a service dog as a dog that performs a task directly related to a person’s disability. Mission Working Dogs in Oxford is breeding and training dogs to do just that. “I’m just in awe of how skilled they are and what wonderful companions they are,” Rebecca Conway, a community partner from United Ag & Turf, said.To be paired with a service dog, you must first submit an application with a prescription from your doctor and undergo a handler evaluation. Then, you’re invited to spend some time on the Mission Working Dogs campus learning commands alongside your new companion. Founder Christy Gardner said, “There’s no force training or fear training with the dogs; it’s all positive reinforcement so learning effective communication skills and stuff like that.” Gardner trains therapy and facility dogs as well. The goal of Mission Working Dogs is to help people live longer, more independent lives. Their work is inspired by Gardner’s firsthand experience with service dogs of her own.When asked about working with Gardner, Conway said, “She is such an inspiration and an incredibly strong leader who’s been able to accomplish so much in just a couple short years.”Gardner was hurt serving overseas in the military in 2006. She was paired with a service dog, Moxie, who helped her during her recovery.”She was my key to my independence and helped me through all the rehab and surgeries and becoming active and involved in life again,” Gardner said.Gardner, who now handles a service dog named Doug, does not work alone. Gardner says their 53 volunteers are crucial to what they do. They also work with community partners and the Maine Department of Corrections. Gardner goes to corrections facilities on Mondays to teach the residents a new skill to work on with the dogs. She explained this partnership has a long-lasting impact that reaches beyond Mission Working Dogs.”It’s a great rehabilitation tool for the residents as well,” she said. “They find they are 98% less likely to re-offend if they have a career path when they get out. By helping them become a dog trainer they have a fairly lucrative career that also involves a lot of love and empathy.”All of the help Mission Working Dogs gets is pushing them toward their next goal of becoming internationally recognized.”International accreditation opens up a lot of doors for us, but the biggest one is that they will help provide these dogs to every veteran in need as well as the veterinary care for the life of the dog,” Gardner said.They’re in the early stages of the accreditation process now. If you want to be part of the team to help them reach that goal, Gardner told Maine’s Total Coverage they are always looking for volunteers. They also accept applications for people interested in raising puppies for them. The volunteer forms and applications to be paired with a service dog are available on the Mission Working Dogs website.
September is National Service Dog Month. The U.S. Department of Justice defines a service dog as a dog that performs a task directly related to a person’s disability. Mission Working Dogs in Oxford is breeding and training dogs to do just that.
“I’m just in awe of how skilled they are and what wonderful companions they are,” Rebecca Conway, a community partner from United Ag & Turf, said.
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To be paired with a service dog, you must first submit an application with a prescription from your doctor and undergo a handler evaluation. Then, you’re invited to spend some time on the Mission Working Dogs campus learning commands alongside your new companion.
Founder Christy Gardner said, “There’s no force training or fear training with the dogs; it’s all positive reinforcement so learning effective communication skills and stuff like that.” Gardner trains therapy and facility dogs as well.
The goal of Mission Working Dogs is to help people live longer, more independent lives. Their work is inspired by Gardner’s firsthand experience with service dogs of her own.
When asked about working with Gardner, Conway said, “She is such an inspiration and an incredibly strong leader who’s been able to accomplish so much in just a couple short years.”
Gardner was hurt serving overseas in the military in 2006. She was paired with a service dog, Moxie, who helped her during her recovery.
“She was my key to my independence and helped me through all the rehab and surgeries and becoming active and involved in life again,” Gardner said.
Gardner, who now handles a service dog named Doug, does not work alone. Gardner says their 53 volunteers are crucial to what they do. They also work with community partners and the Maine Department of Corrections.
Gardner goes to corrections facilities on Mondays to teach the residents a new skill to work on with the dogs. She explained this partnership has a long-lasting impact that reaches beyond Mission Working Dogs.
“It’s a great rehabilitation tool for the residents as well,” she said. “They find they are 98% less likely to re-offend if they have a career path when they get out. By helping them become a dog trainer they have a fairly lucrative career that also involves a lot of love and empathy.”
All of the help Mission Working Dogs gets is pushing them toward their next goal of becoming internationally recognized.
“International accreditation opens up a lot of doors for us, but the biggest one is that they will help provide these dogs to every veteran in need as well as the veterinary care for the life of the dog,” Gardner said.
They’re in the early stages of the accreditation process now. If you want to be part of the team to help them reach that goal, Gardner told Maine’s Total Coverage they are always looking for volunteers. They also accept applications for people interested in raising puppies for them.
The volunteer forms and applications to be paired with a service dog are available on the Mission Working Dogs website.
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