About Mission Working Dogs

Mission Working Dogs trains Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Facility Dogs.

Our Mission

To improve the lives of our community members who are living with a disability by providing them with properly trained service dogs to help them live more independently despite a physical disability and by providing therapy dogs which will bring mental well-being to the people of Maine such as those in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools.

Our Vision

At Mission Working Dogs, we train purpose-bred dogs to aid individuals with disabilities so that the handler can live a life to the fullest and more independently.

Our Goal

Service dogs can assist those with physical disabilities such as mobility impairments by fetching dropped items, opening doors, and turning on and off lights. They can also help individuals with PTSD by learning to recognize an increase in anxiety, carrying medications, and providing deep pressure therapy to calm or redirect the handler. Dogs working as facility dogs are often trained to recognize a patient’s affected side in the case of a stroke and to approach on the side the patient is able to pet with or throw the ball. Patients are able to work on fine motor movements in petting or caring for the dog as well as gross motor skills playing fetch with a dog that’s able to bring the ball exactly to where the patient needs, such as on a side table or directly into their hand, rather than on the ground or trying to play tug with it inappropriately.

Our Strategy

Not every puppy makes the final cut. Some candidates who may be too social or like squirrels just a little bit too much might make amazing therapy dogs or may be adopted out to qualified families as high-class pets. Those that are selected to become therapy dogs are trained to be calm, patient, affectionate and comforting to those in need.

Our Plan

Service dogs are generally trained for approximately two years and undergo a wide range of assessments on their physical health, temperament, and tasks or skills to make sure they can properly support their handler throughout life.

Our Hopes & Dream

Past service dogs from our trainers are helping their handlers live longer and more independent lives. Therapy dogs from our program work in schools providing emotional support, laughter, or even a listening ear for reading programs. Students in behavioral programs have also benefited from becoming “junior handlers” and working on their own patience and compassion while learning to work with the dogs to help others.

MEET OUR TEAM

President Christy Gardner with working dog on ice

Christy Gardner, Founder & President

Christy Gardner is the Founder and President of Mission Working Dogs. Christy's passion for dogs has deep, personal roots. Serving as a Sergeant in the United States Army Military Police in Asia, Christy survived an injury in 2006 which eventually led her to accept her golden retriever service dog named Moxie in 2010. The two became inseparable and Moxie has accompanied Christy on many "missions" of their own, including competing with Team USA as an athlete on the Women’s Para Ice Hockey Team and on the USA Para Surfing Team. Christy is a World ranked Para thrower and is currently aspiring to make the US Paralympic Team for LA2028. As a certified dog trainer with 14 years experience training Service and Therapy Dogs and nine years experience with breeding, Christy has brought her dream of empowering others to fruition with the creation of Mission Working Dogs. Christy lives in Maine with her service dog, Doug, and therapy dogs Libby and Gator.

Rebecca Mann, Vice President

Rebecca Mann is the Vice President and Veterans Advocate of Mission Working Dogs. Rebecca is an avid animal lover and has two dogs including her service dog, Sully. Rebecca served in the Army for eleven years which included two deployments to Afghanistan. She attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 before being medically retired in 2016. Since her injury, Rebecca has engaged in several adaptive sports including adaptive mountain biking, mono skiing and sled hockey.

Lauren King, Treasurer

Lauren King is the Treasurer of Mission Working Dogs as well as the Administrative Assistant for the organization. Prior to taking on a full time role for MWD, Lauren taught upper elementary students for 17 years. Giving back to the community in which she lives has always been important to her, so serving on the board is truly a privilege. Lauren lives in Maine with her 6 year old son and their yellow lab. When not participating in Mission Working Dogs events, she enjoys spending time with her son and dog, being outside and spending time with family and friends.

Jill Gastonguay, Veterinary Medical Advisor

Jill Gastonguay is the Veterinary Medical Advisor of Mission Working Dogs. Dr. Jill is a veterinarian at Mechanic Falls Veterinary Hospital in Mechanic Falls, Maine. She began working in the animal medical field in 1993 as a veterinary assistant. Since graduation in 2001, she has worked closely with breeders to ensure the quality and attributes of the litters they raise. Dr. Jill works with Support animals to ensure their health and safety in order to prolong their time on the job and enrich the relationship they develop with their person. As the veterinarian on the board, her goal is to continue this quality of breeding, and ensuring the health and safety of the dogs in the Mission Working Dogs program. When not taking care of her patients, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets.