Karen served as a Navy Corpsman for 20 years, where she witnessed many horrific injuries and events. She went on to work as an ambulance crew member and later as an ER Supervisor, where seeing trauma was an everyday occurrence. As a woman veteran, Karen also experienced sexual assault and sexual discrimination. (more…)
The Community Mutt Strut, presented by PNC Bank and sponsored by many great companies, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, is just around the corner. This event will be held on September 16 on the Great Lawn at the North Shore from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (more…)
Wren San Clemente has been a trainer at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs for a year, but her passion for training animals has been a part of her life since she was young. (more…)
If you have a disability and rely on a service dog to complete daily tasks, you may be wondering how to navigate the workplace with your service dog. At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we’ve developed a guide to help make this transition smooth.
Can I Bring My Service Dog to Work?
Before you take your service dog to work, consider what your job is and what duties you perform daily. If you’re driving a forklift or working on an assembly line, there are moving parts and other situations that can be dangerous for a dog.
Other careers like welding or being a delivery driver could also present hot, undesirable conditions for your service dog. Even if you are an insurance salesman or other type worker such as an AC repair technician, where you will be visiting people’s homes, may not be ideal for your service dog. If you work in an office setting, then that should be a good environment to bring your service dog.
Before coming to work with your service dog, you want to make sure your boss understands that you are requesting a “special accommodation”. When asking for a special accommodation, it may spark worry in your employer about what exactly that may mean, whether they will need to have a special space for you, do special things for you, and whether it may cost the company money. They may also wonder if it will change the way their business functions. The answer is -no. The business is not required to do anything special to accommodate you with your service dog. Asking for a special accommodation simply means that you’re requesting to bring dog work with you because he is your medical equipment for your medical condition. By law, this request cannot be denied.
Do I Have to Show Paperwork?
There isn’t any legal need for specific paperwork, but some employers may ask. You can fill out their requested paperwork if they aren’t asking you any personal questions since your medical information is protected under HIPAA. If you have a problem with the questions on the paperwork, you can check with the EEOC or your state disability services to be sure the questions are appropriate.
If you need a letter for your employer stating your need for a service dog just to prevent any confrontation or misunderstandings, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs can assist you with that.
We are always available to assist you. We believe in taking the course of least resistance and educating employers rather than creating distention.
Tips for Helping Your Dog Adjust to Your Job
The most important thing you need to do is make sure your dog is comfortable. Make sure he has water, a few toys, a bed, and any other items to help him feel comfortable throughout the day. During the day, you will need to be cognizant of your service dogs needs. Take him/her out on your breaks and use your lunch hour to take him out to play. This will ensure he gets necessary exercise rather than just sitting there all day.
Also, be sure to continue to complete your job as normal and follow the protocols of your business. Of course, at first, people will want to meet the dog and ask you questions but be sure to keep boundaries. Your boss will really appreciate you preventing your service dog’s presence from becoming a social hour.
Make sure fellow employees understand that your dog is only there to provide service to you, the recipient.
Want to Learn More About Service Dogs? Contact us Today!
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, one the of the largest non-profits for service dogs, serves as a resource for those in need of a service dog. Visit our website today to learn more!
Are you someone who loves dogs, supports our veterans, first responders, and civilians in need, and wants to make a difference in the community? Then you’ll want to create a fundraising team for Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs’ Community Mutt Strut!
By creating a fundraising team, you can help raise funds to support Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs’ mission and make a positive impact on the lives of both service dogs as well as veterans, first responders, and civilians in need.
Why Create a Fundraising Team for the Community Mutt Strut?
By creating a fundraising team for the Mutt Strut, you’ll be making a real difference in the lives of veterans and their families. Service dogs can be incredibly helpful for veterans who are struggling with physical or emotional difficulties, and by raising funds for Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, you’ll be helping to provide these dogs to those who need them.
Additionally, creating a fundraising team is a great way to raise awareness and vital funding for a great cause!
How to Create a Fundraising Team for the Mutt Strut
Creating a fundraising team for the Mutt Strut is easy! The first step is to register as a team captain on the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs website. Once you’ve done that, you can recruit other team members by sending invitations to friends, family, and colleagues via social media, email, or word of mouth.
It’s worth mentioning just how impactful your fundraising efforts can be. Each service dog trained and paired with a veteran costs approximately $25,000 to $30,000 in training and placement. By coming together as a community and raising funds for Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we can help provide this much-needed support to those who have served our country.
All funds raised by the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Community Mutt Strut Fundraising Teams will go directly towards training and pairing service dogs with veterans.
Bring Your Team to the Mutt Strut!
In addition to creating a team, you can attend the Community Mutt Strut itself. The event will be held on September 16th at the Great Lawn on the North Shore. This event is a fun-filled day that includes a picturesque walk, music, pet-related vendors, dog agility demonstrations, and more! Come out and see first-hand the impact these amazing service dogs make on the lives of veterans.
You can register for the Mutt Strut by clicking here or coming down to the Great Lawn on the North Shore on the day of the event.
If you can’t make it to Pittsburgh, join us for the virtual Mutt Strut from September 13th – 16th, where you can bid on various great items, purchase a virtual ticket to the Mutt Strut or make a donation to show your support!
Create a Team to Make an Impact Today!
Creating a fundraising team is a fantastic way to make a difference in the lives of both service dogs and their recipients. By establishing a team, you can support the vital mission of our non-profit organization and have a lot of fun in the process.
So what are you waiting for? Register as a team captain today and start making a positive impact on veterans and your community!
PNC Bank, Pittsburgh Pirates Unite for the Annual Community Mutt Strut Benefiting Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
[PITTSBURGH Aug. 08, 2023] — Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs announced the Annual Community Mutt Strut, presented by PNC Bank and sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates, will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Great Lawn on the North Shore. This event brings together dog lovers, supporters and community members for a day of fun, entertainment and education in support of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs and its life-changing work.
The Community Mutt Strut aims to raise awareness about the impact of medical service dogs in the lives of those living with disabilities, with a focus on U.S. military veterans and first responders.
This year’s event will feature a scenic dog-friendly walk, pet dog trick demonstrations, a dog costume contest, pet-related vendors, live music by local Southern classic rock band Shady Mugs, food trucks and activities for the whole family.
“We’re thrilled to once again host the Community Mutt Strut, and we’re especially grateful for the support of PNC Bank and the Pittsburgh Pirates, who share our dedication to improving the lives of those in need through the unique bond between humans and canines,” said Carol Borden, founder and CEO of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs.
Statistics show approximately 22 military veterans die by suicide each day, and the COVID-19 pandemic only heightened this crisis. Once paired with a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog, the suicide rate in recipients drops to zero.
“PNC is honored to once again join forces with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs for this meaningful event,” said Stacy Juchno, general auditor for PNC. “We’ve seen firsthand how this work changes lives as many of our employees and those in our communities have benefited from pairing with medical service dogs. We look forward to ushering in the next chapter of the Community Mutt Strut in Pittsburgh with terrific organizations like the Pirates.”
As part of the Pirates’ sponsorship, the Pirates are offering a group ticket option for that evening’s game that includes Loaded Value and a donation to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. The Pirates play the New York Yankees at 6:35 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16. All are welcome to purchase tickets, whether or not they are attending the Community Mutt Strut.
“The Pirates are continually committed to making a lasting, positive impact to individuals in our community, and we’re proud to do that by joining our partner, PNC Bank, in support of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs for such a worthwhile event,” said Travis Williams, president of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that has been training and pairing medical service dogs with individuals in need since 2010. These highly skilled dogs are trained to mitigate the challenges of an individual’s disabilities while providing companionship and support, helping them regain their independence and enhance their quality of life.
Participants and supporters of the Community Mutt Strut can register online at www.medicalservicedogs.org or in-person on the day of the event. All proceeds will benefit Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs and its ongoing mission to train and provide medical service dogs to those in need.
For more information about Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs and the Community Mutt Strut, including the online silent auction taking place from Sept. 13-16, please visit the Community Mutt Strut website or the Facebook event page.
About the Pittsburgh Pirates
Now in their 137th National League season, and 141st overall, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a lasting and deep commitment to the Pittsburgh region that continues to grow stronger each season. The Pirates celebrate a rich history filled with five World Series Championships, legendary players and some of baseball’s most dramatic games and moments. The Pirates continue to build upon that rich history with an exciting, young team playing its home games at PNC Park, widely considered the Best Ballpark in America. While the organization has led countless community endeavors since its inception, the Pirates formed Pirates Charities in 2006 to make an even deeper, positive impact on the lives of others.
About PNC Bank
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com
About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and providing medical service dogs for individuals living with disabilities, with a focus on U.S. military veterans and first responders. With an emphasis on enhancing the lives and independence of their recipients, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs has successfully paired hundreds of dogs with deserving individuals, making a positive impact on families and communities across the nation.
Whether you have a service dog or a pet, their health and well-being are always at the heart of what you do. From feeding a healthy diet to ensuring they get enough exercise, we all make efforts to care for our service dogs or pets each day to ensure a long and happy life.
Samantha, a Veterinary Technician at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, has been with the team for seven months and has over 10 years of experience in the animal field as a veterinary technician, wildlife rehabilitator, educator, and client liaison. (more…)
