About Me


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.
Tanner Summit SD and Melissa in front of Capital Hill Washington, DC. 

Tanner looking up at Melissa while laying under an airplane seat.
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Shiloh and Melissa looking at animals at the county fair.
Go From Shiloh, Summit Assistance Dog
who was trained for my by Summit Assistance Dogs in Anacortes, WA.Shilo, Summit Assistance Dogs October 11, 2008- August 17, 2014Retired with my mom!
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
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View Melissa Mitchell's profile on LinkedIn