Shilo is a shepherd/cattle dog mix. She is tri-color with beautiful butterfly black and tan mask.I entered the service dog community about 20 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 partnered with my third service dog, Tanner, a golden retriever raised and trained by Summit Assistance Dogs. Matched June of 2015. Team Training 11/2/15-11/13/15.
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| Tanner Summit SD and Melissa in front of Capital Hill Washington, DC. |
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| Tanner looking up at Melissa while laying under an airplane seat. |
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| Go From Shiloh, Summit Assistance Dog |
We were a team for 6 years. I visit her ( and my parents ) regularly. My first service dog, Bastien, was owner raised and trained. He work for me from age 18months until he was seven. He passed away at almost 12 of a very aggressive cancer September 22, 2012.
I am also co-founder of the Willamette Valley Assistance Dog Club (WVADC) with my roommate and friend Leslie Weilbacher. I have raised and trained 20 potential service dog candidate puppies, with 2 so far of the becoming service dogs and 3 becoming therapy dogs. the other 14 were placed as family pets, and one is on track to be a breeding female for Summit Assistance Dogs. I am also an approved evaluator (#88155) for the Canine Good Citizen Test and the Canine Good Citizen Advanced test.
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
