New video Featuring Tanner and Me

I thought you, my dear readers, would this video featuring Tanner and I.
 

Help 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/

News:Oregon Assistance Dogs Fundraiser Tonight!

Oregon Assistance Dogs is hosting a fundraiser to support their many teams in training at the Pappy's Pizza in Eugene all day today! Simply download this flyer and bring it with you when you visit Pappy's today and Oregon Assistance dogs will receive 50% of proceeds from your order!
Please note distributing the flyer on site is not permitted, so make sure to stuff a copy in your pocket or purse.

Fundraising to Support My education as a Dog Trainer

As many of my readers know I am a dog training fanatic, but I would like to be more. I would to have my credentials as a professional dog trainer. There are many steps to do this and many route one may take;however, taking seminars like the upcoming one in Seattle by Dr. Ian Dunbar is an important part of any would be trainer's education. I have save $150 towards the fee to attend, and am hoping my loyal readers can assist in raising the $210 I still need to pay the fee by the end of February. Over the years I have written over 50 posts about training (see owner training and training tools)and how I train various behaviors. If these articles have helped you are someone you know, please consider supporting my continued education with a donation.

The workshop I want to attend will include the following topics:


Dr. Dunbar’s SIRIUS® Dog Training Academy
Thursday (9:30am–5:30pm): Business, Promotion, People-Training & Games
Friday (9:30am–5:30pm): Behavior Counseling
Saturday (9:30am–5:30pm): Adult Dog Classes
Sunday (9:30am–5:30pm): Puppy Classes

Dr. Dunbar taught the world’s very first off-leash puppy socialization and training classes and he has been perfecting the SIRIUS® Puppy & Dog Class syllabuses for 30 years. The Academy will focus on the SIRIUS® way of successfully promoting and running our 30 year-old business and our way of conducting puppy/dog training classes and behavior consultations.

Registrants will receive substantial notes, including a Behavior Problem Solving Matrix, plus the complete SIRIUS Syllabus for Puppy 1, Puppy 2 and Adult 1 classes, week-by-week schedules, plus minute-by-minute class notes.

Shilo does Bark in the Park 2011

Shilo, a rescued dog running to raise funds for pets still waiting to be rescued at Greenhill Humane Society! In a week of fundraising, we have raised $190.60! All the money raised is going to care for homeless pets. Find out out more about Bark in the Park and make a Donation Today!

Vote for Summit Assistance Dogs to receive a Toyota Car for Good

Summit is an amazing Assistance Dog organization that does whatever it takes to support their teams including coming all the way to Eugene, OR from Anacortes, WA to follow up on Shilo and my progress six months after placement - that's a distance of 728 mile round trip at a cost of $114 (and rising every day)!

Social Networking to Save Money on Things Your Service Dog Needs

By now most of us are probably getting deals via email, text messaging, facebook, and iphone apps from our favorite vendors of all kinds of items and services we use regularly. I, recently, signed up for a couple free services called Living Social  and Groupon offering one day deals for all kinds of services in my area (and around the world) at up to 90% the regular price; and being a person who is on a very tight budget I love a deal (especially on things that often there would be no room for in said budget like meals out, movies, plays, etc). My deal hunting doesn't stop with stuff for me.... oh no sir, the dogs and stuff for them is fair game!

Online One Day Pet Supply Deals

• Petsimply.com 
• Doogyloot.com

Please note I found several other services; the above two are the only ones that checked out as active. Enjoy!All my readers, please share your best places for deals in the comments below this post!

News: Celebrate World Animal Day all week with Walgreens and Delta Society!

For one week starting Monday, October 4th, you'll be able to put your pet on the cover of a magazine, save money and support Delta Society all at the same time!

From October 4th thru 9th, Walgreen's Photo Centers will be offering their 8x10 "magazine cover" templates for $3.99 (regular price $5.99) when you use their coupon code MAGSALE. Choose from dozens of options including "Dog Fancy," "Cat Fancy," "Bird Talk," "Pet Scene" and many more. Either bring your photo into one of the many photo centers or upload your photo online and pick it up at the store.

Half the proceeds from the promotion will support Delta Society's work to promote the human-animal bond. All over the world, Delta Society's 10,000 Pet Partners® therapy animal teams bring comfort and healing to people who most need it.

So get out that camera and make your pet a star!

To get started, visit www.walgreens.com/deltasociety and follow these steps:

· Click on "Create"

· Click on the magazine cover you want to print

· You'll be prompted to login. If you don't already have a Walgreens account, you'll need to create one at this time

· Click the "Upload" button then click the "Browse" button to select the picture from your computer. Click the "Upload Now" button

· Drag your photo onto the template (If you see an orange triangle that means your photo is too low of a resolution to print & you'll need to pick a different picture)

· To edit the picture, hover your mouse over the picture, then click on the pencil

· When you're all done, click on "Continue"

· Review your order and click on "Add to Cart"

· Input the coupon code and click "Update Total"

· Click on "Checkout". Here you can choose to pick up the picture or have it shipped. Click "Continue"

· Select payment options (either pay now or at the store). Click "Continue"

· Review your order and click on "Submit Order"

More About World Animal Day

World Animal Day is celebrated each year on October 4th on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. Started in 1931 as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species, the number of World Animal Day events taking place throughout the world has grown year upon year. Take this special day to commemorate your love of your own animal companions by creating a magazine cover with your pet and supporting Delta Society!

*Coupon code MAGSALE valid for up to 5 uses per account thru October 9, 2010. Code must be entered at time of checkout to apply discount. Discount does not apply to prints (any size), scrapbook pages, previous purchases, taxes or shipping charges. Orders must be placed by logged-in customer by October 9, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time to qualify. Timing will be determined by Walgreens server clock. Multiple coupon codes may or may not be used based on cart contents. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

News: Today in Corvallis

Looking for something fun to do today? Want to support a good cause?Osborn Aquatic Center’s 6th Annual “Dog Day” fundraiser for OAC and the Heartland Humane Society.
This exclusive event one day a year turns Otter Beach and the outdoor pools into a Fenced Dog Park for three 90-minute sessions. It happens just before the outdoor pool is drained for maintenance.
Dogs of all ages and sizes are welcome!
The three sessions go from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; from noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
The cost is $5 per dog each session. People can go for free.

Assistance Dog United Campaign

While reading some information for my day job I stumbled across mention of the Assistance Dog United Campaign! This is complete news to me as I'm sure it will be to many of you. Below is a short description of campaign taken from their site ( the links and bold face font were my additions):

The Assistance Dog United Campaign (ADUC) is a health and human welfare organization which provides financial assistance to individuals who have the need for an assistance dog but have difficulty in raising the necessary funds and to people and programs whose purpose is to provide assistance dogs to people with disabilities. 

The ADUC Board of Directors raises funds for assistance dog placements, for grants to support industry research and development efforts and specific provider program development projects, and for scholarships for individuals attending the Bergin University of Canine Studies in pursuit of an Associate of Science degree in Assistance Dog Education. ADUC's funding for assistance dog placements is unique in that seventy percent of the donations are earmarked as vouchers.

Exciting scholarship opportunity for 2010 IAADP conference

Come Join Us in Seattle!

     IAADP is looking for the future leaders of the assistance dog
movement. Thanks to our generous sponsor, Nutramax Laboratories,
IAADP will be able to provide two scholarships for IAADP members in
2010 where participants can learn more about issues of importance to
consumers in the assistance dog field.

The $500 scholarships will help to cover travel, hotel and
registration for the IAADP and Assistance Dog Club of Puget Sound
joint conferences.  The place: Seattle, Washington Embassy Suites;
the dates: Sept.25th (IAADP) and Sept. 26th (ADCPS)

Please provide the following background information:

1. Name
2. Address
3. Telephone
4. E-mail address
5. Name and breed of assistance dog
6. Type of assistance dog (guide, hearing or service)
7. IAADP member number

Please give us your thoughts on the following four questions: (No
more than 500 words per question)

1. What has been your involvement with the assistance dog movement?
2. What do you hope to get out of attending the conferences?
3. What do you see as the major issues confronting the assistance dog
movement in the next few years?
4. What role do you see yourself playing in addressing these issues?

Please provide three references, not family members.

For details about the conferences, check out
http://www.iaadp.org/conference.html
and
http://www.dogsaver.org/adc/conference2010.html




Please e-mail your completed application to Toni Eames at
eeames at csufresno.edu or send it in print, braille or on cassette to
3376 North Wishon, Fresno, CA 93704. Applications must be received by
July 20, 2010.

The IAADP Board looks forward to meeting you and your dog in
Seattle.  Of course, everyone with an interest in the assistance dog
field, including assistance dog partners, puppy raisers, trainers and
administrators are encouraged to register and attend the conferences.

News: May is National Guide Dog Awareness Month

From Our Pack

Celebrate National Guide Dog Awareness Month and support several Guide Dog Schools when you buy specially marked packages of Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. 100 percent of the money raised will go to support Guide Dog Schools. Find out more about this program.

Fundraising: Feel the Love February

Many of us are scrambling to choose the right cards, candy, or gifts for that special someone this Valentine's Day while feeling that the gestures are somewhat odd in this era of economic turn over. I encourage everyone to take that money you would have spent on cards and such to support a local service dog organization as many are struggle just to keep the doors open and the website up. Most organizations will allow donors to donate in the name of someone if they wish.
Organizations placing dogs around the Northwest:

• Summit Assistance Dogs
• Dogs for the Deaf
• Guide Dogs for the Blind
• Paws to Freedom
• Joys of Living Assistance Dogs

To really show that someone special you care you can:

• Make their favorite meal
• Do that thing they have been asking you to do
• Do their favorite activity
• Spend one on one time

Update on Fundraising for Shilo

I continue to contact friends and familiy to raise money for my next service dog. I am happy to report some have already come through! Both for my travel to team training and Summit Assistance Dogs.
For Donating to my Fund to attend team training in October, I wish to thank:
-My cousin April for her $100 Donation
-My longtime friend Wayne Terry for his donation of a Large Dog Crate ($100 value)
-Shelley Maynard,Owner of Pewter Rabbit Antiques for her $25 Donation
-Kathleen Ison for her $10 donation
-Olivia Emilia and Rob Harden for their $50 donation
-My longtime friend Anne Hensley for her $50 donation in memeroy of her first SD Andrew
-My longtime friends Pam and Loc Reader for their $100 donation
-My former co-workers at Pierce County Deparment of Emergency Management for their $155 donation.
-My Aunt and Uncle, Steven and Marie McDonald for their $100
-My college internship supervisor Mr. Jim Stevenson and family for their $100
-My Unce Dale McDonald for his $300 donation
-My Grandmother Mary Ellen for her $200
I have saved $100 towards my Team Training costs in October! That brings my total so far to $1390!
To see the break down of the costs associated with team training, please see "Contribute to My Service Dog Fund" on the righthand side of this blog.

Even though Summit Assistance Dogs does not charge for the dog itself, each recipient must be able to attend a team training with their new dog in Anacortes, WA for 8 days days.I am working to save money myself, but I work for a non-profit and I have to take 10 days from work to train and bond with Shilo.

Update on Fundraising for Shilo

I continue to contact friends and familiy to raise money for my next service dog. I am happy to report some have already come through! Both for my travel to team training and Summit Assistance Dogs.

For Donating to my Fund to attend team training in October, I wish to thank:
-My cousin April for her $100 Donation
-My longtime friend Wayne Terry for his donation of a Large Dog Crate ($100 value)
-Shelley Maynard,Owner of Pewter Rabbit Antiques for her $25 Donation
-Kathleen Ison for her $10 donation

-Olivia Emilia and Rob Harden for their $50 donation
-My longtime friend Anne Hensley for her $50 donation in memeroy of her first SD Andrew
-My longtime friends Pam and Loc Reader for their $100 donation
-My former co-workers at Pierce County Deparment of Emergency Management for their $155 donation.
-My Aunt and Uncle, Steven and Marie McDonald for their $100
-My college internship supervisor Mr. Jim Stevenson and family for their $100

I have saved $81 towards my Team Training costs in October! That brings my total so far to $771!

To see the break down of the costs associated with team training, please see "Contribute to My Service Dog Fund" on the righthand side of this blog.

Several people have also pledged to contribute to my Fund to attend Team Training:
-My Uncle Dale McDonald
-My Uncle Scott McDonald
-My Uncle Danny McDonald
-My Grandmother Mary Ellen Spring

Even though Summit Assistance Dogs does not charge for the dog itself, each recipient must be able to attend a team training with their new dog in Anacortes, WA for anywhere between 14 days days.I am working to save money myself, but I work for a non-profit and I have to take at least two weeks from work to train and bond with Shilo.

Update on Summit Assistance Dog Fundraiser

Although Summit Assistance Dogs dogs does not charge the people with disabilities with whom they place highly trained services dogs,service dogs cost around $20,000 to train and place. Summit therefore encourages recipients to fundraise as much as they are able to summit the continued work of Summit.
I wish to thank the following people for their Donations to Summit Assistance Dogs in my name:
-My Parents Sandy and Gary Greve for their $625 donation
-Shelley Maynard, Owner Pewter Rabbit Antiques for her $25 donation
-Olivia Emilia and Rob Harden for their $50 donation
Every dollar people donate to Summit goes to supprt the raising, training and placement of highly skills service dogs with people with disabilities.

Update on Fundraising for Shilo

I continue to contact friends and familiy to raise money for my next service dog. I am happy to report some have already come through! Both for my travel to team training and Summit Assistance DogsFor Donating to my Fund to attend team training in September, I wish to thank:
My cousin April for her $100 Donation
My longtime friend Wayne Terry for his donation of a Large Dog Crate ($100 value)
Shelley Maynard,Owner of Pewter Rabbit Antiques for her $25 Donation
Kathleen Ison for her $10 donation

My Aunt and Uncle, Steven and Marie McDonald for their $100
I have saved $81 towards my Team Training costs in October! That brings my total so far to $416!
Several people have also pledged to contribute to my Fund to attend Team Training:
My Aunt and Uncle, Steven and Marie McDonald
My Uncle Dale McDonald
My Uncle Scott McDonald
My Uncle Danny McDonald
My Grandmother Mary Ellen Spring
Even though Summit Assistance Dogs does not charge for the dog itself, each recipient must be able to attend a team training with their new dog in Anacortes, WA for anywhere between 10-21 days.I am working to save money myself, but I work for a non-profit and I have to take at least two weeks from work to get my dog.

Making Ends Meet in a Tough Economy: Financial assistance caring for Service Dogs

Many people with disabilities live on very tight budgets. The current state of the of the economy is making things even tougher. There are resources to assist people partnered with service dogs who are having trouble meeting the care needs of their partner:

• Pet FoodAssistance Programs
• OSLF Fund for Service Dogs (Silver's Cause)
• International Association of Assistance Dog Association
• Some States Food Stamps Programs provide a benefit for service dogs *note the human partner has to qualify for food stamps.

Things it doesn't hurt to ask about:

• Groomer's and vet's provide a discount to service dogs
• Free food samples (if you need to get by for a short time)
• A dog friendly friend who may assist you with grooming

Update on Summit Assistance Dog Fundraiser

Although Summit Assistance Dogs dogs does not charge the people with disabilities with whom they place highly trained services dogs,service dogs cost around $20,000 to train and place. Summit therefore encourages recipients to fund raise as much as they are able to summit the continued work of Summit.

I wish to thank the following people for their Donations to Summit Assistance Dogs in my name:

• My Parents Sandy and Gary Greve for their $625 donation
• Shelley Maynard, Owner Pewter Rabbit Antiques for her $25 donation

Every dollar people donate to Summit goes to support the raising, training and placement of highly skills service dogs with people with disabilities.

Update on Fundraising for my Next Service Dog

I continue to contact friends and family to raise money for my next service dog. I am happy to report some have already come through! Both for my travel to team training and Summit Assistance Dogs


For Donating to my Fund to attend team training in September, I wish to thank:

• My cousin April for her $100 Donation
• My longtime friend Wayne Terry for his donation of a Large Dog Crate ($100 value)
• Shelley Maynard,Owner of Pewter Rabbit Antiques for her $25 Donation

I have saved $61 towards my Team Training costs in September! That brings my total so far to $286!
Several people have also pledged to contribute to my Fund to attend Team Training:

• My Aunt and Uncle, Steven and Marie McDonald
• My Uncle Dale McDonald
• My Uncle Scott McDonald
• My Uncle Danny McDonald
• My Grandmother Mary Ellen Spring

Even though Summit Assistance Dogs does not charge for the dog itself, each recipient must be able to attend a team training with their new dog in Anacortes, WA for anywhere between 10-21 days.
I am working to save money myself, but I work for a non-profit and I have to take at least two weeks from work to get my dog.
Expenses to get Service dog:
-1 large dog crate $100 Done
-Service dog gear (harness, leashes, collars,dog beds, dog toys, treats) $350 (need $225)
-Placement vet visit $65 (need $4)
-Gas to get to and from Anacortes $250
-Hotel Fees $1,400
-Groceries for two weeks $150