Mel, Patrick, Raya, Mya
Changing Lives Four Paws at a Time
Partners with Paws Service Dogs’ goal is to raise and train service dogs to assist disabled individuals to improve their quality of life. They are also committed to providing highly trained facility dogs to support police stations, first responders, and schools. Their dogs play a vital role in offering comfort, reducing stress, and enhancing the well-being of individuals in need and service organizations.
Patrick Schmitt and Raya’s story
Patrick Schmitt of Port Washington has a new companion, thanks to Mel’s Charities, and it’s made a world of difference in his life. “She opens doors for me, figuratively and literally, which is a big thing,” Schmitt said of Raya, the 18-month-old golden retriever that Mel’s Charities got for him.
“I’m more independent, “Schmitt said of Raya. “I can go places and not have to worry about things. She’s a dog so you have to take her out and go for walks, She gets me out of the house.”
“But she does more than just physical tasks. She helps mentally. You have an off day, and she does something that takes you from a gloomy mood to laughing. And the whole social thing is a big thing. In public, people come up and talk to you.”
Having a service dog is important for Schmitt, who has been a quadriplegic since a motorcycle accident in 2006. He said Mel’s offer of a dog was a complete surprise, noting he had mentioned he was considering getting a new service dog during a conversation with Stanton a few weeks after they met.
(excerpted from Ozaukee Press, December 12, 2004)