Where did you serve and what did you do?
I have two pups that are Service Dogs! Ubba, my Belgian Malinois is a mobility assist animal and helps me stay mobile. He can pull my chair on difficult terrain, help me stand from my chair, help me stay steady when walking, and can help me get up from a fall. He’s been in service for just over a year. Izzabelle is my Alert Animal, as she can detect anxiety and panic before I can from PTSD triggers. She’s been in service for 12 years, I am currently looking for a pup that can do her job, but finding a 15 pound or under service pup has been proving quite difficult. I would like her to be able to retire. The awesome animals assist me in keeping my independence so I can continue doing what I do with Just a Girl Moving Dogs, which is a 100% Volunteer Relay Transportation group. As the founder and transport coordinator, I schedule and coordinate runs for animals that are in rescue that need to move, (to an adopter, a foster, or getting them to the designated rescue). We also move dogs for Military personnel that are being deployed, coming back from deployment, etc. We have moved animals to D.O.D. Fosters (Dogs on Deployment), other foster, or family members that can hold on to the furry family member while the active member is deployed, and reunite them when they get home. Many service members/family do not have the immediate funds or availability to move the pups to safety before they deploy with short notice, and we try to help whenever possible! Even if it means finding a short term foster until Transport can be filled.
Tell us how your dog is helping you continue #StillServing in your community.
My pups Izzabelle and Ubba help me retain my independence, they help by keeping me active and mobile. Without this activity, I would sit in a chair and lose functions needed to run my company.
Why do you do it?
I run Just a Girl Moving Dogs because it gives me a purpose. It is bigger than me, and it saves animals from going to shelters or being removed and separated.