OUR MISSION
To improve the lives of our community members who are living with a disability by providing them with properly trained service dogs to help them live more independently despite a physical disability and by providing therapy dogs which will bring mental well-being to the people of Maine such as those in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools.
OUR VISION
At Mission Working Dogs, we train purpose-bred dogs to aid individuals with disabilities so that the handler can live a life to the fullest and more independently.
OUR GOAL
Service dogs can assist those with physical disabilities such as mobility impairments by fetching dropped items, opening doors, and turning on and off lights. They can also help individuals with PTSD by learning to recognize an increase in anxiety, carrying medications, and providing deep pressure therapy to calm or redirect the handler. Dogs working as facility dogs are often trained to recognize a patient's affected side in the case of a stroke and to approach on the side the patient is able to pet with or throw the ball. Patients are able to work on fine motor movements in petting or caring for the dog as well as gross motor skills playing fetch with a dog that's able to bring the ball exactly to where the patient needs, such as on a side table or directly into their hand, rather than on the ground or trying to play tug with it inappropriately.
OUR STRATEGY
Not every puppy makes the final cut. Some candidates who may be too social or like squirrels just a little bit too much might make amazing therapy dogs or may be adopted out to qualified families as high-class pets. Those that are selected to become therapy dogs are trained to be calm, patient, affectionate and comforting to those in need.
OUR PLAN
Service dogs are generally trained for approximately two years and undergo a wide range of assessments on their physical health, temperament, and tasks or skills to make sure they can properly support their handler throughout life.
OUR HOPES & DREAMS
Past service dogs from our trainers are helping their handlers live longer and more independent lives. Therapy dogs from our program work in schools providing emotional support, laughter, or even a listening ear for reading programs. Students in behavioral programs have also benefited from becoming "junior handlers" and working on their own patience and compassion while learning to work with the dogs to help others.
To improve the lives of our community members who are living with a disability by providing them with properly trained service dogs to help them live more independently despite a physical disability and by providing therapy dogs which will bring mental well-being to the people of Maine such as those in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools.
OUR VISION
At Mission Working Dogs, we train purpose-bred dogs to aid individuals with disabilities so that the handler can live a life to the fullest and more independently.
OUR GOAL
Service dogs can assist those with physical disabilities such as mobility impairments by fetching dropped items, opening doors, and turning on and off lights. They can also help individuals with PTSD by learning to recognize an increase in anxiety, carrying medications, and providing deep pressure therapy to calm or redirect the handler. Dogs working as facility dogs are often trained to recognize a patient's affected side in the case of a stroke and to approach on the side the patient is able to pet with or throw the ball. Patients are able to work on fine motor movements in petting or caring for the dog as well as gross motor skills playing fetch with a dog that's able to bring the ball exactly to where the patient needs, such as on a side table or directly into their hand, rather than on the ground or trying to play tug with it inappropriately.
OUR STRATEGY
Not every puppy makes the final cut. Some candidates who may be too social or like squirrels just a little bit too much might make amazing therapy dogs or may be adopted out to qualified families as high-class pets. Those that are selected to become therapy dogs are trained to be calm, patient, affectionate and comforting to those in need.
OUR PLAN
Service dogs are generally trained for approximately two years and undergo a wide range of assessments on their physical health, temperament, and tasks or skills to make sure they can properly support their handler throughout life.
OUR HOPES & DREAMS
Past service dogs from our trainers are helping their handlers live longer and more independent lives. Therapy dogs from our program work in schools providing emotional support, laughter, or even a listening ear for reading programs. Students in behavioral programs have also benefited from becoming "junior handlers" and working on their own patience and compassion while learning to work with the dogs to help others.
