September 2026 Newsletter
Pictured above are SDiT, Smudge, SDiT Patriot, sponsored by Raytheon, an RTX Business, SDiT One, and SDiT Moose
September is National Service Dog Month, an annual campaign that honors Service Dogs and raises awareness of their life-changing role for individuals with disabilities.
National Service Dog Month was founded in 2008 by actor and animal advocate Dick Van Patten. After visiting a Service Dog facility, Van Patten was inspired by the time, effort, and funding required to train these much-needed dogs. He launched the observance to educate the public on accessibility rights and help support non-profit training programs.
What Service Dogs Do
PTSD and Mental Health Support: Recognize early signs of anxiety, interrupt stress or panic behaviors, and wake handlers from nightmares.
Mobility Assistance: Help individuals with physical disabilities navigate daily obstacles and manage mobility challenges.
Medical and Crisis Alerts: Detect oncoming medical issues, such as severe distress.
Service Dogs perform specialized tasks tailored directly to their handler’s specific disability, including mobility support like pulling a wheelchair and retrieving dropped objects. Service Dogs also recognize signs of anxiety, interrupt stress behaviors, and wake handlers from nightmares.
How to Respect Working Dogs in Public
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Service Dogs have legal access to accompany their handlers anywhere the public is allowed.
To help them focus on their job, keep these rules in mind:
Do Not Pet: Avoid touching a working dog; any distraction can endanger its handler.
Avoid Calling, Whistling, or Feeding: Making noises or offering food pulls the dog's focus away from its critical work.
Speak Directly to the Handler: Address the person, not the dog, when communicating.
Give Teams Space: Allow the teams plenty of physical room to navigate safely.
Mutts With A Mission is grateful to have Bartlet Legal Group as a continuing Camo Sponsor! Thank you, BLG, for believing in MWAM, supporting our mission, and choosing to make a difference in the lives of our Veterans and First Responders. We are glad to have you as part of the MWAM family!
Welcome, 7 Brew, Holland Rd., Va Beach, our new White Level Sponsor. Thank you for choosing MWAM to be the recipient of proceeds from Caffeine for a Cause before your grand opening. We are so happy you are part of the Virginia Beach community and MWAM. If you have not stopped by for a cup of coffee, you are missing out!
MWAM is proud and excited to announce our first Camo Level Sponsor from San Diego, Mike Hess Brewing! Mike Hess Brewing held a fundraiser for MWAM in June, complete with taproom specials and raffles, and the community had a chance to meet our San Diego Service Dog teams. Next time you are in Seaside Village, San Diego, stop by the brewery and show them some love. Thank you, Mike Hess Brewing, for your support!
MAKE AN IMPACT - WE INVITE YOU TO LEARN ABOUT SPONSORSHIPS.
My Company Would LIke to Sponsor!
I Would Love to Become a Monthly Donor!
A huge thank you to our Lawn Care Crew, who mowed and edged through the heat of the Virginia summer. Our grounds were nicely manicured, making it a perfect spot for our SDiTs to train and play!
We cannot thank you enough for your hard work and commitment to MWAM!🌱
Thank you, New Castle Elementary School Anchored for Life Club, for holding a fundraiser to support MWAM. Students collected gently used sneakers, recycled them, and earned over $250. Service Dog in Training, Ghost-Eye, sponsored by Raytheon, an RTX Business, attended the beginning-of-the-year pep rally to thank the students.🐾
🎗MISSION MOMENT🎗
Virginia Beach Fire Department Assistant Chief Lorna B. Trent and Ember, her Facility Dog in Training, had the incredible honor of serving on the team that delivered the World Trade Center First Responder Bell to the New York City Fire Museum.
"Being part of this historic event was made even more meaningful by seeing the joy and comfort Ember brought to the First Responders, military members, and 9/11 families we met along the way. Seeing her impact was a powerful reminder of the support these dogs provide, especially to those who have given so much in service to others."
— Assistant Chief Lorna B. Trent
Ember is a Golden Retriever currently owner-trains as a Facility Dog through Mutts With A Mission.
FOLLOW OUR EXPEDITIONARY FACILITY DOGS (EFDs)
⚓Serving With the U.S. Navy⚓
Click below for EFD Instagram pages
CAPT. FATHOM
USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72)
CAPT POSEIDON
USS NIMITZ (CVN 68)
CAPT RUDDER
USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70)
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