Meet Shiloh and Melissa 2008 Graduates

My name is Melissa Mitchell. I went to Summit when my first service dog, Bastien, was ready to retire. I had taken on the monumental task and risk of raising and training my first service dog myself. In the near decade of our partnership I experienced many changes in how my disability, cerebral palsy, affected me. Yes, I know they say it doesn't get worse, technically, I suppose that's true. The brain damage doesn't get worse, but the body wears out in surprising ways that, for me, lead to increased physical limitations. I went to Summit because I knew I needed to retire my first dog and I just did not have the energy and emotional stamina to both retire my boy and raise and train a new service dog for myself. I knew I would most likely fail and I needed the assistance I knew a carefully chosen, well trained service dog would provide. I chose Summit for many reasons, not the least of which was their use of rescued dogs whenever possible. Summit also put a lot of time an effort into getting to know me and my life in order to find the dog I needed and who needed me.(you can read about my life with Shiloh on my blog) Shiloh and I have been together for nearly five months and each day we learn, grow, and live together. While life with a service dog is not the right choice for everyone, I know in my heart I have made the right choice for myself and Shiloh. Shiloh is an exceedingly bright, sweet girl who has blossomed from the shy, unsure young dog she once was into a wonderful partner who will only continue to become an indispensable part of my life.