Pictured (L to R): Lauren King, Mission Working Dogs; Melissa Rock, Marketing Director SVP, Norway Savings Bank; Doug; Christy Gardner, Mission Working Dogs; Mike Grass, Market Manager VP, Norway Savings Bank; Dan Walsh, President and CEO, Norway Savings Bank.
OXFORD — Doug, a trained and experienced dog with a habit of bringing smiles to the humans lucky enough to encounter him, happily gripped a large, ceremonial Norway Savings Bank check in his teeth and sat relaxed as the camera snapped a picture on a beautiful spring afternoon.
“This whole organization is incredible,” said Mike Grass, Market Manager VP for NSB. “Such a great nonprofit, and the people here couldn’t be more passionate or inspiring.”
Mike, along with Dan Walsh, President and CEO of NSB, and Melissa Rock, Marketing Director SVP of NSB, visited Mission Working Dogs recently to present a check for $1,000 to help a remarkable effort.
At first glance, Mission Working Dogs is an organization that breeds, raises, and trains service dogs for disabled veterans and civilians who are suffering from issues spanning from physical disabilities to post-traumatic stress disorder, while also training therapy dogs to provide comfort at hospitals, nursing homes, and schools.
But the many people who have benefited know differently. It means so much more. The impact, love, and companionship that drift from the Oxford-based organization into the world have been life-changing.
“When you are truly passionate about something, it’s a joy to put the work in, confront challenges, set lofty goals, and try to make them come true,” said Christy Gardner, an Auburn native who is the founder of Mission Working Dogs.
For Christy, starting this organization in 2020 and guiding it to success is hardly surprising when you consider what this personification of perseverance has already accomplished in her extraordinary and courageous life.
Christy was attending Long Island University when she witnessed the tragic events of 9/11 unfold in front of her eyes, inspiring her to join the military. She rose to the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army Military Police. While serving in Asia, she survived a catastrophic injury in 2006, causing organ, spinal, and other damage, including the loss of her legs.
“Her relationship with her first service dog, Moxie, inspired her to help others to also live lives to the fullest and more independently. They were inseparable,” said Anne Stuer, a fundraising volunteer for Mission Working Dogs. “She realized she wanted to find a way to make sure many others in need would be able to have that same kind of relationship.”
Over time, Christy regained her confidence to continue making a positive difference in the world. An accomplished athlete since her youth, she has competed on Team USA as a member of both the women’s para ice hockey team and the women’s para surfing team. She also qualified for the Tokyo Paralympics as a thrower in Track & Field. A statue of Moxie stands outside Mission Working Dogs today, providing mute testimony to the bonds and difference a furry companion can make on a life.
Now accompanied by Doug, also a golden retriever like Moxie, Christy finds fulfillment and grace in creating transformative friendships between dogs and those in need of the warmth they can bring.
“Seeing the ways these relationships provide joy, calm, and companionship is a reward and a feeling that is beyond measure for [me] and all of us at Mission Working Dogs,” said Christy.
Christy’s determination is a gift, and her drive to offer this experience to as many people as possible speaks to her possibly limitless generosity.
“Right now, there is a training center, boarding facility, and eight individual ADA cabins for clients where they live while training with their new service dog,” said Christy. “We work with the Department of Corrections, which provides us with willing handlers at the Maine State Prison in Warren, the Bolduc Correctional Facility in Warren, and the Maine Correctional Center in Windham. Around the age of 12 weeks old, the dogs are introduced to their handlers in the facilities and stay with them Monday through Friday until the age of about 2 years old.”
“Christy spends time each week teaching the handlers the commands necessary for a properly trained service dog,” said Anne. “This vocational program gives the handlers confidence and purpose while learning gainful employment skills.”
Next on the agenda? An additional training room off the back of the boarding facility, paved parking around the ADA cabins, paved walking paths in the woods throughout the campus for better wheelchair accessibility, and other goals.
After the picture, Doug lifted the check up to Christy and quickly loosened his grip. Even man’s best friend somehow knows that his human will put the money to good use.
“We feel we are truly improving the quality of life for local citizens in our Maine communities and within the Maine Department of Corrections system,” said Christy. “It’s so important to me that everyone knows they can dream and that anything is possible. Helping people live their lives to the fullest isn’t work. It’s an honor.”
There are so many ways to help Mission Working Dogs with their purpose and mission. To learn more about the organization and how to get involved, visit www.missionworkingdogs.org.
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