June is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month. During this month, we’re committed to raising awareness about PTSD by sharing the life-changing work of Mutts With A Mission (MWAM), a non-profit organization that trains service and facility dogs for active military, veterans, wounded warriors, law enforcement, first responders, and federal workers involved in military and national security. MWAM’s working dogs are integral to helping veterans affected by PTSD as well as helping to increase mental health awareness and access for current service members and others working in highly stressful environments.
PTSD affects an estimated one in seven adults in the United States—and military members and veterans make up a significant amount of those suffering from often debilitating PTSD symptoms including severe depression and anxiety. Left untreated, PTSD is a leading cause of suicide among veterans: Every day, 22 military veterans lose their lives to suicide due to PTSD.
Service dogs are a proven source of assistance and help for individuals affected by PTSD. That’s where Mutts With A Mission comes in.
Working Dogs are Making a Difference
In 2008, Mutts With A Mission was founded when Brooke Corson saw the positive impact that her dog, Angus, made when interacting with soldiers at Fort Benning. Brooke was inspired to create MWAM with her husband, Joe, and brother, Keller Elliot. MWAM began their work by training service dogs to assist with the needs of veterans, wounded warriors, and law enforcement officers. Service dogs are paired with one person and are trained to help them in specific ways, providing life-changing help for their humans. Their work is invaluable. They are meticulously trained to perform tasks such as recognizing anxiety in their handler, waking them from nightmares, assisting with creating space in busy environments, alerting friends and family to a need for help, and much more—all things that can feel impossible for people suffering from severe PTSD.
Since MWAM’s founding, improving the lives of individuals with PTSD through service dog pairing has been integral to their mission. In addition, the non-profit has expanded to training facility dogs and expeditionary facility dogs (EFDs) to work with active service members, law enforcement officers, and other groups that work in high-stress environments and may be prone to traumatic experiences. Facility and expeditionary facility dogs work to decrease stress and anxiety while building a foundation of mental and emotional health and awareness, helping to create a toolkit to face challenges. By training different types of service dogs for PTSD and mental health, Mutts With A Mission is making an impactful difference.
Meet Poseidon: A Black Lab Working Aboard the USS Nimitz
“I think having Poseidon on board makes the ship feel even more like home. He brings a sense of normalcy and calm to the chaotic environment we are in and gives the sailors comfort and something to look forward to.”
Captain Poseidon is a two-year-old black lab who lives and works on the USS Nimitz, a Naval aircraft carrier stationed in the Pacific Ocean. 5,000 human soldiers make up the crew of the Nimitz—but Poseidon is the only canine captain on board.
As an expeditionary facility dog trained by Mutts With A Mission, Poseidon takes his job on the carrier seriously. He is responsible for helping his crew to dismantle the barriers that can prevent service members from seeking help from mental health professionals. Active deployment is filled with stressors, ranging from long periods of time away from home and family, to combat exposure and traumatic experiences that can cause life-altering PTSD. With Poseidon’s help to create a foundation of familiarity with mental health professionals and treatment, service members are more able to access care if and when they need it.
Poseidon is always there when a service member needs him, a comforting and non-judging presence. Recently, a young Sailor went over to Poseidon, who was lying on the ground, and just snuggled him for a few minutes. “Thanks, I really needed that,” she said as she got up. Sometimes that’s all a person needs to feel just a little bit better.
The Power to Change the Lives of Military Members, Veterans, Police, and First Responders
In 2009, MWAM placed its first service dog and since then has continued to train and place service dogs (trained to help one individual), facility dogs (trained to help multiple people), and expeditionary facility dogs (similar to facility dogs, but trained to live in environments like aircraft carriers and on naval ships in order to serve sailors and Marines during deployments). These working dogs help their humans in a variety of ways, all with the goal of improving mental health; decreasing stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms; and improving the lives of those who serve and who have served their communities and country.
Service Dogs
In 2019, MWAM received full accreditation from Assistance Dogs International (ADI) for their outstanding and rigorous training program, reinforcing the work that Brooke and her team have dedicated themselves to.
The impact that MWAM has through its service dog assignments is enormous. Veterans who were previously incapacitated by PTSD get their lives back with help from their devoted dogs. “My service dog has changed my life,” says one veteran and handler. “Before receiving my service dog, my PTSD and anxiety were debilitating. Now, he intervenes and calms me down during flashbacks or nightmares, reminds me to take my medications, and accompanies me when going out in public, providing support and intervention during flashbacks or panic attacks.”
Service dogs not only assist with symptom-related tasks, but they also provide a steady sense of calm and support that is helpful and healing for individuals navigating PTSD. “After spending twenty-five years in the Navy, I was well on my way to becoming a statistic, i.e. one of the 22 veterans a day who commit suicide, until my counselor referred me to MWAM,” explains another handler. “This organization is truly life changing.”
Facility Dogs
CAVU, who works at the Virginia Military Institute with cadets enrolled in the four-year military college.Facility dogs undergo the same MWAM training as service dogs, but instead of serving one individual, they serve a group of people. They focus on helping teams to manage existing and working in highly stressful environments, as well as coping with traumatic experiences.
These exceptional canines work in places like airports, police departments, and non-deployment military institutions. Much of the job for facility dogs is mitigating the stress of their coworkers during both day-to-day activities as well as overwhelmingly hard events, helping to decrease anxiety response and lay the groundwork for mental health awareness in advance of potential traumatic situations. They’re also trained to navigate both the needs of their squad as well as those of the public, bridging the gap between law enforcement and citizens by providing comfort and trust.
CAVU: Setting the Tone of Emotional and Mental Well-Being for Cadets at the Virginia Military Institute
Meet CAVU! CAVU stands for “Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited”, a name given to the yellow lab while he trained on the USS George H. W. Bush. Today, he works at the Virginia Military Institute to help cadets prioritize their mental and emotional well-being at the start of their service careers.
“CAVU is a double blessing,” explains John, the institute chaplain at VMI. “He does amazing work with the corps of cadets and the VMI community, increasing morale and encouraging resiliency wherever he goes. He is also a source of joy and stability for me personally. He has changed my life. I cannot thank Mutts With A Mission enough for their top-notch training, care, and support.”
Ghost: Connecting Law Enforcement with the Public and Strengthening the Community
With his empathetic personality, Ghost works for a local law enforcement team, creating connection and community. Alongside his handler, Megan, Ghost visits schools, community centers, and local events to provide stress and anxiety relief. “Megan, always ready with a warm smile, encourages conversations that bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public,” says a fellow squad member. “Their presence not only uplifts spirits but also helps deputies manage the emotional challenges of their demanding work, creating a supportive atmosphere that strengthens the entire community. Together, they remind everyone that compassion and understanding are just as vital as safety and security.”
Marlin: “Good Morning Grumbles” Make a Challenging Line of Work Easier on Everyone
Marlin, a yellow lab who works as the facility dog for the Town of Vienna Police Department, is a source of emotional stability for his law enforcement peers as they navigate highly stressful daily tasks. “Marlin and I greet all officers and administrative staff daily. Marlin does this with his patented good morning grumbles,” explains his handler, Detective Herrera. “In addition to morning smiles, Marlin has reduced the daily stresses of officers as they carry out their duties. Marlin has also provided relief services to victims/witnesses of serious crimes and has given them the strength to open up about their traumatic experiences.”
Expeditionary Facility Dogs
Fathom, a fox red yellow lab who increases morale and works with on-ship mental health professionals to break down barriers to treatment and help.
Expeditionary facility dogs are similar to facility dogs—they go through the same MWAM training as their facility and service counterparts—but in addition, they are trained to work and live on aircraft carriers and Navy ships. Their training includes riding in helicopters and climbing up and down ladders so they can access these environments. Expeditionary facility dogs serve crews of 5,000-6,000 active-duty service people by providing stress relief and emotional regulation, and assisting mental health professionals in connecting with troops to build a foundation of mental health treatment access.
These incredible working dogs are deployed just like their human counterparts, spending months at a time out at sea and providing a sense of normalcy, comfort, and joy to sailors and Marines. MWAM currently has six expeditionary facility dogs placed on US Navy Ships: Ike on the USS Wasp, Sage on the USS Ford, Rudder on the USS Vinson, Fathom on the USS Bush, Poseidon on the USS Nimitz, and Demo on the USS Eisenhower. Rex Specs V2 Goggles are part of the uniform for each dog in order to protect their eyes while out at sea.
Sage: Paving the Way For Expeditionary Facility Dogs
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Triniti Lersch.
Sage is MWAM’s first expedition facility dog and the first dog ever to be stationed on a Navy ship. She serves her post on the USS Gerald R. Ford and recently completed a nine-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. Through her calm and supportive presence on board, Sage helps to improve the emotional regulation of her crew, decreasing stress and anxiety while facilitating social and emotional interaction.
Sage wears her Rex Specs Ear Pro to protect her hearing in loud environments. p: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Klineizquierdo
“She's the best and has helped the crew of the Ford stay just a little bit more balanced throughout our nine-month deployment,” says her handler. “She has helped me do my job supporting the crew as our command climate specialist so much better than I could have done without her. I'm not always the most outgoing individual, but she breaks down any barrier and has a way of helping us all build quick rapport. She loves her crew, along with all the belly rubs they provide. She has helped the crew become more resilient, and she certainly makes me more resilient.”
Not only does Sage excel at her job of helping soldiers and staff manage the day-to-day stressors of deployment, but through her diligence, she has shown the impact that trained working dogs can have on people in demanding environments. Since she began her work on the USS Ford, admission of suicidal ideation by deployed troops has significantly lowered. Sage is blazing a trail for more facility canines to be placed throughout the military—a huge win for improving the lives and mental health of our service members.
Ike: A Diligent Supporter of His Crew on the USS Wasp
Ike in his “puppy PPE” including Wagwear Wagwellies.
Captain Ike is a 5-year-old yellow lab who is known for his exceptional commitment and loyalty. He serves on the USS Wasp where he tirelessly supports the servicemen and women around him.
“Ike has had an impact on me because I love being able to not only have him love on me but to see how excited people get to see him,” explains a USS Wasp crew member. “It’s really special, the type of impact he has on everyone. Especially when we are out to sea, he grounds people as a reminder of the outside world. He brings unlimited joy to this ship.”
Mutts With A Mission’s Service Dogs Make a Difference
Service and facility dogs have the power to change the lives of individuals affected by PTSD—and to help create a foundation for getting professional mental health assistance before being affected by PTSD. Through training and placing dogs in a variety of working situations, Mutts With A Mission is affecting the way we navigate mental health and PTSD in the military, law enforcement, and other highly stressful workplaces one paw step at a time.
Check out more about Mutts With A Mission.
Learn more about PTSD Awareness Month.