About Me

I entered the service dog community about 14 years ago when I applied to my first service dog program. Since that time I have been a dedicated member of the international service dog movement as well as the national movement. I am currently partnered with my second service dog, Shilo,

Shilo is a shepherd/cattle dog mix. She is tri-color with beautiful butterfly black and tan mask.

From Shiloh, Summit Assistance Dog

who was trained for my by Summit Assistance Dogs in Anacortes, WA. We have been a team for over two years.My previous service dog, Bastien was owner raised and trained.  He has been enjoying a well-earned retirement where he uses his charisma to pull off capers of retired naughtiness every now and again to remind people just how smart he is.

I am also co-founder of the Willamette Valley Assistance Dog Club (WVADC) with my roommate and friend Leslie Weilbacher, and a puppy raiser for Oregon Assistance Dogs. I am currently raising a 15 a large black Labrador named Cash who was donated to the program at 11mo. old after being left by his first owner with a friend. His first owner never returned and the friend could not keep him long term.  
Writer/Speaker/Advocate

1. Learning What It Means to be American-My AmeriCorps Experience
2. Guide Dogs and Service Animals
3. Self Assessment: Are Your International Exchange Programs Inclusive?
4.Worlds Apart? Disability and Foreign Language Learning Ch. 11 Co-written by Michele Scheib and Melissa Mitchell
5. LDA Interview: Melissa Mitchell, Mobility International | Odeo ... (audio)
6. New Mobility Magazine "Train Your Own Service Dog" Interview and cover photo
7.Physical Disabilities: The Ultimate Teen Guide