Caroline Shaffer is a traveling dog trainer with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, and this month, she will celebrate her one-year anniversary with the organization. Caroline is currently training Slugger, a service dog who will be paired with a local military veteran and whose training is supported by the Pittsburgh Pirates and PNC.
How Caroline Was to Lead to Work for Guardian Angels
Caroline’s passion for dog training began in childhood. At 11, her father told her she could keep a rescue chocolate lab that had been to six different homes before coming to theirs if she worked to train it. She trained the dog and worked with a local obedience club in her neighborhood, continuing to expand her knowledge and skill in dog training in many different ways over the years.
She began traveling throughout the U.S. and working with various other dog trainers, including trainers who were here from Belgium and Germany. She also does
performance sports and training with her dogs, such as hunting, agility, herding, obedience, etc.
While searching on a job board, she came across a posting for a dog training position with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. “I thought it would be fun. I had always wanted to do service dog training, so I was excited to see that was there,” said Caroline. With her dog training experience, passion for training dogs, and helping others through therapy dog work, where she visited nursing homes, hospitals, and schools, Caroline believed the position would be a perfect fit.
How Caroline’s Work with Guardian Angels Has Impacted Her Life
“With this job, watching these service dogs help these individuals is amazing. It makes a good impact, and it’s so rewarding,” Caroline said. During her time with the organization, Caroline has been impacted by learning more about veterans and how serving in the military and going to war impacts people. As a dog trainer, she sees the mission of Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs in action as she experiences firsthand all the ways service dogs assist veterans. “It’s amazing how these little lives can make their lives better,” Caroline said.
Caroline’s mission as a dog trainer is not only to help the individuals that Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs serves but also to help dogs lead better lives. “The impact is that having the dog trained can make their lives safer and healthier. It can save their lives and help them in their daily lives as well,” Caroline said.
She has learned something new from each dog she has trained, strengthening her knowledge to be an even better trainer.
Currently, Caroline is training Slugger, who will be paired with a local Pittsburgh military veteran once he completes training. She is working with Slugger on his basic training, public access training, where he goes out to public places such as the store or Pirates Games. Slugger is also learning mobility assistance and scent work training to prepare him to be trained to alert for conditions such as seizures, PTSD, and diabetes.
Caroline says he is excelling in his scent work and believes he will work very hard for his recipient.
What Caroline Wants You to Know About Guardian Angels
At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Caroline said it’s important for others to know how much support they offer recipients once they are paired with a service dog. As a traveling trainer located in the Pittsburgh area, she said she stays in touch with the recipients in the states close to her and hosts monthly training sessions for recipients. “We’re trying to be there for them all the time. We’re there if they need anything regarding training, health, or anything else. If they have questions or they need help, we’re there. We’re always doing everything we can to make sure their life is whole,” Caroline said.
To learn more about Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs and our life-saving mission, visit our website today.
Mrs. Borden’s expertise and accomplishments are acknowledged by numerous national awards from various industries and agencies including the 2018 Corporate Pet Industry Woman of the Year and multiple awards for her organization’s work in mental health and suicide prevention.
She is frequently requested as a Keynote Speaker, and as an Industry Consultant to teach service dog laws to judicial systems, attorneys, and businesses, and to assist in service dog bills in multiple states that were passed into law. In 2020, she started an Institute for Higher Learning and the Borden Veterinary Hospital. Additionally, she has written and teaches college-accredited/VA-approved apprenticeship courses on dog training and service dog training.
- FDNY Battalion Commander Jack Oehm to Speak at Our 15th Anniversary Party - January 15, 2025
- In The Spotlight-2024 Employee of the Year- Emily Almodovar Warner - January 15, 2025
- Message From Our Founder- January - January 15, 2025
