tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34359650325811704432024-03-05T23:27:24.685-08:00Service Dogs: A Way of LifeThe title says it all. Working, living with, and loving service dogs is a way of life.Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.comBlogger406125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-78822743084204816102021-11-28T18:09:00.003-08:002021-11-28T18:09:20.890-08:00Remebering Shiloh 2005-2021 Dear SDAWL readers,Today Shiloh crossed the rainbow bridge accompanied by myself, my mom, and her aunty Leslie. I hope you enjoy these memories. You can enjoy all 104 adventures of Shiloh here https://servicedogsawayoflife.blogspot.com/search/label/Shiloh%202005-2021. Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-30257765270755918632021-04-06T16:38:00.005-07:002021-04-06T16:38:25.595-07:00New video Featuring Tanner and MeI thought you, my dear readers, would this video featuring Tanner and I. Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-34310448644795029742020-03-13T16:16:00.000-07:002020-03-13T16:16:37.159-07:00Service Dog Teams & Corona VirusHi my long Time Readers.
The majority of us partner with services dogs are considered at higher risk for contracting the Corona Virus/ COVID 19 by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
and as such we must practice self isolation and distance behaviors to protect ourselves. The American Veterinary Association page on COVID-19/ Corona Virus states " If you have a service animal or you must care forMelissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-9638786417235463782017-08-21T09:32:00.000-07:002017-08-21T09:32:53.951-07:00Fading Prompts and lures in trainingWhole Dog Journal unearthed this from their archives this morning. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/7_5/features/Dog-Training-Tips_5629-1.html?s=FB&medium=soc_082117A
This article includes self assessment to see which lures/ prompts you and your dog are stuck on and how to fade out needing them.Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-86421598928211115452017-07-13T12:59:00.001-07:002017-07-13T12:59:26.103-07:00Two years of TransitionDear loyal readers and visitors,
After two years of what seems like one endless transition Tanner and I finally feel like we have energy to share our stories and knowledge gained together. In the last two years Tanner and I have:
Became a team
Lived for a month in a hotel before our new apartment became available
Began working for our amateur Summit Assistance Dogs
Discovered new apartment Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-57541738744021155112016-05-28T10:36:00.000-07:002016-05-28T10:36:19.213-07:00Help Me Win a wheelchair adapted van!Readers, I am trying to win a desperately needed new fully adapted wheelchair van so that I may continue my work as a service dog trainer. Please see my entry and vote for me from now until 5-31-16. You vote once a day everyday through 11:59pm 5-31-16.Thank you! http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/melissa-mitchell-burlington-wa/ Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-38900057538953917152015-12-19T13:05:00.001-08:002015-12-19T13:05:37.128-08:00Tanner and I made the newspaperThis article about Tanner and I in the Whidbey News Times today! We are about a month into our partnership.
Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-30101844201566191802015-11-20T14:26:00.000-08:002021-11-28T16:55:29.831-08:00Example of the of the Rigors of public access work
Shiloh surround by people and lying down calmly
Shiloh being pet by children
Shiloh being pet and surrounded while calmly holding a down
Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-11973573954341309952015-11-19T14:54:00.002-08:002021-11-28T16:55:29.828-08:0015 Months since Shiloh RetiredIt has been fifteen months since Shiloh retired.I was focused on adjusting to life without a service dog again, and was so busy and tired I did not have it in me to write. I had to hire a human personal assistant again and cut things out of my schedule simply because there wasn't energy for it. It has been a long 15 months full of change.Leslie and Gwen started a new job and moved to Washington. Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-89858275893963927042014-09-09T12:03:00.000-07:002014-09-09T12:03:00.271-07:00Happy National Guide Dog Month!
Dog Guides and their people relaxiung at ACB Los Vegas 2014
September is National Guide Dog Month! Guide Dogs are near and dear to me for many reasons not the least of which is I have had the joy of living with working guides for almost seven years since my roommate is blind and has partnered with a guide since she was 18 years old.
A short history of Guide Dogs
Guide Dogs were the first Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-75515465189957015512014-09-07T09:45:00.001-07:002021-11-28T16:55:29.838-08:00Upcoming series on RetirementShilo retired on August 17th after five years, 10 months and 2 days of partnership with me. Making the decision to retire a service dog is never easy even if there is an undeniable reason such as failing health driving the human partner to the decision. I am working on a series of post about Shilo's retirement to help people understand this all too little discussed inevitable phase of life with Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-13613111925553536722014-09-01T21:55:00.001-07:002014-09-01T21:55:40.761-07:00Canine Companions for Independence Spearheads Campaign to Stop Service Dog FraudOver the years I have published many articles highlighting the damage done by people passing off dogs as service dogs when they are not. Last year Canine Companions for Independence introduced their pledge to stop service dog fraud and got 17, 500 people to take the pledge; this year their goal is to get 50, 000 people to sign on. I have signed on as someone who has personally experienced Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-27810654882859612332014-08-01T10:30:00.000-07:002021-11-28T16:55:29.830-08:00All work and No Play- Work Life Balance in TeamsMembers of the public often have the idea that service dogs never get to "just be dogs". This assumption couldn't be farther from the truth, especially if a team plans to function for many years to come.The balance between working together and playing together is one that begins to be established as soon as you and your SD (or potential SD when owner training) enter into each others' lives Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-2652871714092231272014-07-05T14:54:00.000-07:002021-11-28T16:55:29.827-08:00Shilo & Melissa Return to D.C. to fight for Complex Rehab Technology for the Third Year
Melissa and Shilo with Senator Jeff Merkley OR-D May 1, 2014.
Melissa discusses S.B. 948 separating CRT from standard DME equipment ensuring access to it for those who need it.
Complex Rehabilitation technology is not a well known term, but this type of equipment is describes means the difference between a life of capabilities and participation versus one of infirmity, Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-25474558943691235422014-05-01T06:00:00.000-07:002014-05-01T06:00:04.170-07:00May: Better Speech and Hearing Month; Hearing Dogs Lend an EarHearing dogs alert people who are Deaf or severely hearing impaired to sounds in their environment that the human partners needs to know about for safety and to better function in the world. Hearing dogs can be trained to alert to everything from doorbells, alarm clocks, babies crying, home appliance noises, someone calling the handlers name, and more. Hearing dogs unique in the service dogMelissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-73578288618426664302014-03-20T14:18:00.000-07:002021-11-28T16:55:29.838-08:00L.A., Washington D.C., and other Adventures!It's been a month since I last posted, and that is because Shilo and I have resembled a blur! Grab your coffee (or tea) and settle in because by the time I have caught you, my dear readers up your head may be spinning right along with mine!
The L.A. Abilities Expo- Cool Gear, Even Cooler People, and Great Food!
Shilo and I spent the weekend of March 15-17 at the L.A. Abilities Expo, and while Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-13601278631341422572014-03-09T10:34:00.002-07:002014-03-09T10:34:46.674-07:00Another State Fed Up with Imposter Service DogsHawaii may join the 30 plus another states that impose specific fine for people passing off pets as service dogs -ANALYSIS: The Proposed Crackdown on ‘Service Animal’ PhoniesMelissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-23683906429872982472014-03-02T11:47:00.000-08:002014-03-02T11:47:00.296-08:00When puppies have other plans - Spot MagazineSometimes despite the best breeding, all the testing it the world, all the resources, and a loving dedicate raiser some puppies just aren't cut out to be service dogs. Spot Magazine featured the story of Lowell, a Guide Dogs for the Blind puppy who didn't make the cut in "When Puppies Have other Plans"Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-19033802260239738152014-02-23T11:38:00.001-08:002014-02-23T11:38:10.307-08:00All Pages Updated!Check out all the pages; every one has been updated. Enjoy!Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-89077023793440962652014-02-19T12:22:00.001-08:002014-02-19T12:26:22.985-08:00Lend Me an Ear is back!One of the quintessential resources in hearing dog and service dog training is back after many, many years out print. I, myself, have been hunting high and low in used bookstores hoping to find a copy. Alas, I never did because no one who had copy was giving up this treasured volume LEND ME AN EAR: TEMPERAMENT, SELECTION AND TRAINING OF THE HEARING EAR DOG-
http://Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-35760304167970824242013-11-24T21:34:00.001-08:002021-11-28T16:55:29.832-08:00Five Years Together and The Process Begins AgainOctober marked Shilo's and my fifth anniversary as a team. As many of my loyal readers may remember Shilo was taken into training as an adult dog estimated at 2 years old, so that made her three-ish at placement. I believe in retiring my dogs before some age-related health concern makes it an urgent necessity on both parts; therefore, at the end of September I emailed Summit to begin the Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-5072186308521401112013-09-21T17:56:00.000-07:002021-11-28T16:55:29.828-08:00My Favorite Harness is Back!
My absolute favorite multi-functional service dog harness is back on the market! I bought this harness for my first service dog, Bastien, used it until he retired then transferred it to Shilo and used it until it literally died from use. I was saddened to discover the woman who made each harness by hand had passed away and the harness it seemed would not be made anymore. I decided to see if I Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-23632590782455390862013-08-06T07:58:00.001-07:002013-08-06T07:58:41.995-07:00Petition Seeks to Stop the Sale of Service Dogs Products for Fraudulent UseOne of the biggest and oldest providers of service dogs for people with disabilities other than blindness, Canine Companion s for Independence, posted a petition urging Congress to take action against the Sale of fake service dog products.They need 10,000 signatures.
Read & Sign PetitionMelissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-72407339514486684812013-07-28T14:31:00.000-07:002013-07-28T14:31:46.141-07:00Wired Magazine Article Encourages Service Dog Fraud
A reader brought to my attention this week that Wired Magazine published an article, The Cheat Code to Life, encourage their readers to pass off their pets as service dogs to gain entry to places and avoid fees.
BRING MR. FLUFFY ANYWHERE: SERVICE DOG VEST ($33) Make every day Take Your Dog to Work Day and go everywhere—the coffee shop, the grocery store! How? Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435965032581170443.post-34441702174979904222013-05-05T11:00:00.000-07:002013-05-05T11:00:35.626-07:00Whole Dog Jounal- Dog Care When You're DownThe latest article from the Whole Dog Journal, Dog Care When You're Down, gives its readers a glimpse into living with dogs when a person is sick, injure or recovering from some sort of medical procedure. As the population ages and people must figure out how to care for their furry companions with less physical capacity I am sure we will see more of these articles. Don't miss my article,
Melissa Mitchellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01048065430786872176noreply@blogger.com0