January 2025 Newsletter
✨NEW YEAR, NEW GOALS!✨
Pictured above: Poseidon, SDiT; Capt. Rudder aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70); Vader, SDiT
January's calendar was jam-packed with ship visits, in-house and field trip trainings, new puppies, a MWAM/Norfolk Admirals Hockey game, as well as working on specific goals such as picking up and holding keys, opening the fridge door to retrieve water, and learning how to respond to medication reminder alarms. In 2024, MWAM was able to place 6 Service Dogs, 6 Facility Dogs and 2 Expeditionary Facility Dogs on U.S. Navy ships on the east and west coasts. This year, we are humbly asking for your generous support through our monthly giving campaign and employer match gift giving so we can continue to provide top-notch Service Dogs to those in need.
Recurrent giving provides steady funding that allows our Puppy Raisers to have the necessary tools needed for our Service Dogs in Training (SDiTs). Everything from collars and leashes to warm comfy beds, bags of puppy chow and training treats, chew toys, safety gear, medical needs, community based training events, and training on public transit, are all part of what makes MWAM pups ready to take on their assignments upon graduation.
The impact YOU make is tremendous. If you take your impact, and multiply it times 2, that impact will grow at a significant rate. We invite you to ask your employer to match your monthly contribution. Click the link below and type in your employer's name to see if they are a part of the matching gift network. If your employer is not on the list, ask them to be. It's a win-win for all involved and each donation is tax deductible.
By committing to help us reach monthly goals, checking to see if your employer is part of the matching gift network, following, liking and sharing MWAM on social media, and coming out to see us at area events, YOU become a vital part of our commitment to Serve Those Who Keep Us Free.
HOW YOUR MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION SUPPORTS OUR SDiTs:
MULTIPLY YOUR IMPACT
MAKE IT MONTHLY
SERVICE DOG: A dog that has been specifically trained to perform tasks for an individual with disabilities.
MWAM FACILITY DOG: A specially trained dog that works with a Peer Support team member in a law enforcement agency. The dog must be trained to do specific, skilled tasks in a variety of different situations within the facility environment with multiple people; it must be more than just a presence within the facility.
EXPEDITIONARY FACILITY DOG (EFD): EFDs are trained to work with mental health professionals to improve the well-being of military personnel. They work onboard U.S. Navy ships and help reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression.
Thank you Little Theatre of Virginia Beach for hosting our SDiTs for a pawsitive training experience. Pups and puppy raisers enjoyed a preview of the play Into The Breeches. Our dogs practiced their long downs, handler focus, and distraction training.
Thank you for an award winning evening.
🐾We give it 2 Paws Up!🐾
SDiTs pictured: (top left) Que, (top right) Wren, (bottom left) Maple, middle: various SDiTs being an attentive audience; (bottom right) Oscar
🐾MWAM/NORFOLK ADMIRALS NIGHT🏒
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Thank you to all who purchased tickets and attended MWAM/Norfolk Admirals Night on Friday, January 17th. Players, fans, puppy raiser volunteers and pups enjoyed an action packed evening of hockey, food, free giveaways, and SDiT and seasoned Facility Dog sightings. We were thrilled to have Capt. Ike, serving aboard USS Wasp (LHD 1), Hattie, serving at Little Creek Navy Base and SDiT, Flynn all present Friday evening as all 3 were/are sponsored by the Admirals Hockey Team. Capt. Sage, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Capt. Demo, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and ODU's very own Hudson 2.0 also came out to cheer the Norfolk Admirals on to a win.
Follow MWAM on social media to find out when Flynn's next game appearance will be!
Pictured above: Members of the MWAM Puppy Raiser Family and SDiTs
Below: Flynn, SDiT and Salty; Capt. Ike, Hattie and Flynn, (sponsored by Norfolk Admirals); Que and Radar, SDiTs.
🐶BECOME A SPONSOR!🐶
ASK YOUR EMPLOYER TO SPONSOR AN SDiT TODAY!
💝LEGACY GIFT💝
Mutts With A Mission is deeply moved by the extraordinarily generous Legacy Gift from The Estate of Karen Lindemann. This significant contribution will have a lasting impact, as it will provide essential funding for the entire two-week Transfer Camp, as well as the Graduation ceremony for our recipients and Service Dogs.
We are sincerely grateful for you giving consideration to MWAM in your financial planning.
🎀WELCOME GUESS and SMUDGE🎀
Give a big tail wag to the newest members of the MWAM pack - Guess and Smudge. Thank you to our puppy raiser volunteer who drove to NEADS in Maryland to pick up this sister and brother duo. Both puppies are settling in nicely and we are anxious to watch them grow and learn through our SDiT program over the next 2 years.
Pictured below: Guess (yellow lab) and Smudge (black lab) SDiTs
CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR GUESS or SMUDGE
MUTTS MERCH
💗PUPPY LOVE for YOUR VALENTINE💗
Sage, Ike, Demo, Rudder, Fathom and Hudson are waiting to be your Valentine!
Each plush pup comes with its own personal collar and MWAM Service Dog vest.
These adorable puppies are made with soft materials, are super cuddly, and have expressive brown eyes that add an endearing realistic quality.
Ages 24 months and older
FREE SHIPPING (unless large quantities are ordered)
All proceeds go directly back to our puppy raising program. Thank you for your support!
💕ORDER YOUR VALENTINE GIFTS HERE!💕
🎉PAWSITIVE PARTNERS🎉
2025 is off to a great start thanks to our Pawsitive Partner, Pale Horse Coffee. This Veteran-owned company supports us by donating $3 from each bag of Service Dog Strong Coffee.
We are fortunate to have such generous partners in our community. Looking for a delicious cup of coffee to start your day? Pale Horse has the perfect blend for you.
Find Service Dog Strong in store and online.
🎊IT'S A PUPPY SHOWER!🎊
📣VOLUNTEERS!📣
If you, your business, or your company are interested in giving back by participating in a
Volunteer Day, please email: Liz@muttswithamission.org
We enjoy the relationships we have built with our volunteers and look forward to seeing them each time they work with us. BONUS: Puppy sightings and tail wags are almost always guaranteed! 🐾
Pictured above: Radar, SDiT
❤️MISSION MOMENTS❤️
Hampton Roads finally had a little snow fall and our Puppy Raisers made sure the pups got some playtime while it lasted...
Mutts With A Mission is Proud to be an Accredited Member of
Assistance Dogs International
Thank You Tidewater Animal Clinic, Kaizen Athletics and Care-A-Lot Pet Supply (Diamond Springs location) for collecting much needed puppy items this holiday season.
MWAM is humbled to be selected as the recipient of your angel tree donations.
We appreciate you and your support!
Pictured below: Member of Tidewater Animal Clinic Team and Brooke Corson; Trident, SDiT
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
📶Connect With Us! 💻
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