May 2025 Newsletter
🎉CONGRATULATIONS🎉
AVENGER AND TATER
MUTTS WITH A MISSION WELCOMES TWO NEW FACILITY DOG TEAMS!
Mutts With A Mission is excited to announce that two incredible dogs have officially joined the ranks as Facility Dogs! Avenger, a 3-year-old yellow Labrador, is now serving with Sgt. John Haddaway and secondary handler, Police Officer First Class Janet Landsman of the Baltimore County Police Department. Tater, a 2-year-old black Labrador, has joined the Bellevue Police Department in Nebraska and will be working alongside Officer Jonathan Hobbs.
Facility Dogs like Avenger and Tater are specially trained to work alongside Peer Support team members in law enforcement agencies. They go beyond simply being present, performing skilled tasks in a variety of situations within the facility environment to support multiple people.
Their handlers recently completed a two-week intensive training program with the Mutts With A Mission (MWAM) team. This training covered everything from command mastery to trained tasks, care, play, and the importance of downtime. Training also included a meaningful component in Washington, D.C., during National Police Week – a time dedicated to honoring and remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
We are incredibly proud of these new partnerships and the positive impact
Avenger and Tater will have on their respective departments.
🎓🚓CONGRATULATIONS!🚓🎓
MAY - MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
💚SUPPORTING💚
VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
In the demanding worlds of military service, emergency response, and law enforcement, the physical and emotional toll can be profound. Veterans, First Responders, Law Enforcement personnel, and Sailors onboard U.S. Navy ships often face significant mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
MWAM is dedicated to providing these brave individuals with highly trained Service Dogs, specifically chosen to support their unique needs. Our mission is to restore independence, confidence, and emotional stability to those who have selflessly served our nation.
For those living with PTSD, anxiety, or TBI, everyday life can be overwhelming. A Service Dog can significantly enhance their quality of life, offering critical support by:
*Interrupting panic attacks
*Creating personal space in crowded environments
*Waking their handlers from nightmares or night terrors
*Providing grounding during flashbacks
*Assisting with mobility and balance
Selecting the right dogs for this role is crucial. Not every dog has the temperament, resilience, or trainability required for this demanding work. MWAM carefully chooses each candidate, evaluating for calmness, intelligence, and adaptability. The training process is rigorous, spanning 18 months to 3 years, and covers obedience, specialized task training, and public access skills.
The impact of these Service Dogs extends far beyond their specific tasks. For many Veterans and First Responders, their canine partner becomes a lifeline—a nonjudgmental companion that reduces isolation and restores a sense of purpose. These bonds can lead to reduced medications, fewer hospitalizations, and a more positive outlook on life.
Thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters, MWAM is helping Veterans and First Responders rediscover their strength and hope, proving that with the right support, healing is within reach.
Pictured below: SDiT Phoenix, Expeditionary Facility Dog Fathom, Expeditionary Facility Dog Ike
ARE YOU LOCAL TO THE 757 AREA?
LIKE BEING OUTSIDE?
🌿MWAM NEEDS YOU!🌿
Pictured above: SDiT Willow
As a nonprofit, we rely on the generous support of local businesses and community members to maintain our operations and grounds. We have the necessary equipment – including mowers, edgers, and rakes – but need a dedicated sponsor to help us keep our property in top shape - this could be a business or individual person.
In return for your support, we will proudly recognize you, or your business, as a Community Sponsor through our website, social media platforms, and newsletters, highlighting your commitment to our mission and the local community.
If this opportunity sounds like a fit for you, we would love to connect, share more details, and welcome you to our facility for a visit.
Thank you for considering this meaningful way to give back to those who have served.
Please contact us at 757-465-1033 or email Liz@muttswithamission.org
👏THANK YOU SPONSORS!👏
Because of your generous support, MWAM continues to
Serve Those Who Keep Us Free.
Your contributions help us provide highly trained Service Dogs to our
brave service members in need.
If you would like to make an impactful difference in someone's life, consider becoming a Sponsor. Scan the QR Code or click on the button below to learn more.
Thank you for your support.
Pictured below: SDiTs Willow, Sponsored by VB Vets Give Back; Flynn, Sponsored by the Norfolk Admirals; Steele, Sponsored by Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group
I WANT TO BE A DIFFERENCE MAKER IN THE LIVES OF AMERICAN HEROES!
DID YOU KNOW....
MWAM receives direct employee donations matched by thousands of businesses. To find out if your company will match your donation, please click the Gift Matching option below.
Pictured left: SDiTs Phoenix and Patriot
🐶MUTTS MERCH🐶
Whether you're celebrating graduations, birthdays, or thanking a teacher at the end of the year, the MWAM online store has you covered. Choose from a wide range of thoughtful gifts, including water bottles, cuddly plush pups, and vibrant t-shirts perfect for the warmer months.
Every purchase makes a difference – proceeds directly support our
Service Dog in Training (SDiT) Program, empowering our mission to train the next generation of Service Dogs.
Start shopping today and make your gift count!
**FREE SHIPPING!**
👏PAWSITIVE PARTNERS👏
SDiTs pictured above: Phoenix, Patriot, Flynn, Steele, Willow
MWAM would like to welcome Trane Technologies, Mid-Atlantic Region, Chesapeake, as a new Pawsitive Partner! We enjoyed getting to know you and having your group come out to our facility earlier this month to volunteer. You left our crates and dog beds clean and fresh, our floors spotless, and our windows sparkling.
Thank you for coming out and making a difference!
If your organization would like to come out and lend a hand, please contact
Know the Difference....
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.
MWAM Expeditionary Facility Dog (EFD): EFDs are trained to work with mental health professionals and other handlers to improve the well-being of military personnel. They work onboard U.S. Navy ships and are task trained to help reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression while also encouraging those that need mental health treatment to seek it.
Pictured below: Capt. Demo, EFD (USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN 69)
❤️MISSION MOMENT❤️
Memorial Day is a time for reflection, gratitude, and remembrance – a moment to recognize the selfless dedication of those who put their country before themselves.
As we gather with family and friends, let us remember that the freedoms we cherish come at a profound cost. Let us honor their legacy by living with purpose, supporting one another, and striving to make our communities stronger.
To the brave souls who never came home, we remember you.
We thank you. We honor you.
Pictured below: SDiTs Avalanche, Maple, Willow, Bronco, Wasabi, Wren and Vatra
📶Connect With Us! 💻
CAPT FATHOM USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN-77)
CAPT POSEIDON USS NIMITZ (CVN-68)
CAPT RUDDER USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70)
*|NPO_NAME|*
*|NPO_ADDRESS|*
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