Mission

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Our mission is to train and place service dogs that will enhance the lives of American veterans who have become disabled as a result of serving in the United States Armed Forces, giving them a little something back for their tremendous sacrifices.

  Supporting Objectives for our Mission:

• To utilize the “Shelter to Service Dog” model developed at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. Our Dogs for Veterans program focuses on selecting dogs from the many homeless and abandoned dogs currently in shelters and rescues across the United States.
• To select the “best of the best” from the rescue or shelter to use in our programs.
• Provide a rock solid foundation of skills for each of the dogs in our program
• Ensure that the dog and veteran are the perfect match
• Provide life-long support to our clients and their service dogs through group classes and personalized one-on-one training sessions
• To support our volunteers in the training of the service dog candidate by providing training classes at no cost to them
• Ensure that any service dog candidate who after final evaluation it is determined that they are not suitable in a service dog role, will remain at Many Paths Animal Rescue until a suitable forever home is found.
• Actively promote the benefits of service dogs and the role they play in making a Veteran’s life better.

 Supporting Beliefs:

• That the service dog & veteran are equal partners in the relationship and that the dog’s needs for care, companionship, safety, mental stimulation, and physical exercise are as important as the client’s needs
• That a service dog is significant catalyst in helping to restore independence and ability to the veteran
• That the training and education of dogs and people are best achieved through rewards based positive reinforcement in an environment of mutual trust and respect.
• That every dog is unique. And the very behaviors which make a dog suitable to work as a service dog also leaves the dog open to mistakes. The dog is neither a machine nor mindless tool and must be appreciated and valued.
• That we will act in gratitude. Our strength and the key to our success are in the generosity of our supporters, volunteers and employees. No service or action regardless of size will be taken for granted.