Medical Mutts Service Dogs

We’re at the ARPO - Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership Dog Olympics today! 🐾

If you’re at Broad Ripple Park - Indy Parks and Recreation, stop by our booth and learn how rescue dogs become service dogs. We’d love to meet you and your four-legged athletes! ❤️🐕‍🦺

❤️ Theo Update ❤️

Theo is officially out of the hospital and recovering at home with one of our trainers.

After multiple emergency surgeries, removal of damaged intestine, and repair of a severe hernia complication, we are incredibly relieved to say that he is expected to do well.

He still has a long recovery ahead, with careful monitoring, medications, special feeding, and restricted activity, but he is finally resting somewhere safe and surrounded by people who care deeply about him.

When Theo first came to us, we knew he needed help. What we did not know was how critical his condition truly was, or that saving his life would require more than $6,000 in emergency veterinary care.

But we said yes anyway.

Because that is what rescue means sometimes.

Our Rescue. Recovery. Service. campaign was created for dogs like Theo and for the many other rescue and service dogs who depend on us every day.

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, and supported Theo so far. Without community support, dogs like Theo would not get this chance.

Your donation is helping provide emergency medical care, recovery support, and second chances for dogs who have nowhere else to go ❤️

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/medical-mutts/from-rescue-to-service

🐾 Some dogs find homes quickly. Others wait. And wait. ❤️

Gracie has been with us for many months now.

She was adopted once and eventually returned to us because of changes in her family’s situation. Since coming back, Gracie has struggled with the loss and transition. She is sweet, deeply loving, and forms strong bonds with her people, but she needs time to build trust and feel safe.

Because of her needs, finding the right home for Gracie is harder. She needs a quieter environment without other pets, and dogs like her are often overlooked for younger, easier dogs.

But Gracie still deserves her chance.

Part of rescue is standing by dogs even when placement takes months, medical needs arise, or progress is slow. That is why campaigns like Rescue. Recovery. Service. matter so much.

Your support helps us continue caring for dogs like Theo, Gracie, and so many others who still need time, training, medical care, and second chances.

If you think you might be Gracie’s person, or if you would like to support dogs like her, we would love to hear from you ❤️

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/medical-mutts/from-rescue-to-service

🐾 Theo Update 🐾

Theo made it through surgery.

What doctors originally feared was a twisted colon turned out to be an extremely serious intestinal entrapment caused by an inguinal hernia. Part of his small intestine had lost blood supply and become necrotic, requiring emergency removal.

During surgery, additional complications were discovered, and the team ultimately had to operate multiple times to give Theo the best possible chance. Thankfully, despite concerning fluid in his abdomen, there was no sepsis.

Two damaged sections of intestine were removed, his abdominal cavity was flushed twice, and a feeding tube was placed to help support healing and recovery.

Theo now faces a critical recovery period and will remain hospitalized for the next several days while doctors monitor him closely.

We are incredibly grateful to the surgical team for fighting so hard for him, and to everyone who has donated, shared, and supported Theo so far. Because of your support, dogs like Theo get a chance they otherwise would not have.

Please continue keeping Theo in your thoughts as he begins this next stage of recovery ❤️

If you would like to help support Theo’s ongoing care and the many rescue dogs still waiting for their chance, donations can be made here:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/medical-mutts/from-rescue-to-service

🐾 Adoption Event This Saturday at Medical Mutts! 🐾

We still have some incredible dogs looking for the right homes ❤️

Join us this Saturday and meet adoptable dogs like Gracie, Skywalker, Robocop, Aspen, and more!

📍 Medical Mutts Service Dogs
6120 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis
🗓 Saturday, June 13
⏰ 10AM–12PM

Why adopt from Medical Mutts?

✔ Professionally evaluated dogs
✔ Ongoing support from trainers
✔ 2 free private training sessions with most adoptions
✔ Spayed/neutered, vaccinated & microchipped
✔ Foster-to-adopt available

Many of our adoptable dogs have already received structure, enrichment, handling, and training through our program. We know their personalities and work hard to create successful matches, not just adoptions.

Whether you’re looking for an adventure buddy, cuddle companion, or loyal best friend, we’d love to help you find the right fit.

Learn more about our adoptable dogs:
https://www.medicalmutts.org/adopt-a-pet-dog-indianapolis

This is Theo.

Theo came to Medical Mutts severely matted and in rough shape, but we quickly learned things were even worse than we thought. He is now in emergency veterinary care battling for his life with a twisted intestine.

Right now, we honestly don’t know what is going to happen.

What we do know is that Theo has clearly suffered for a long time, and we want to give him every chance we can.

Cases like Theo’s are emotionally and financially difficult, especially while we continue caring for and training rescue dogs to become service dogs for people with disabilities.

Today we are launching our Rescue. Recovery. Service. campaign to help support dogs like Theo, emergency veterinary care, rescue rehabilitation, and the many dogs currently in training at Medical Mutts.

Every dog deserves a chance.

If you would like to help Theo and the dogs still waiting, donations can be made here:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/medical-mutts/from-rescue-to-service

A service dog can change someone’s life.
But for many people, the cost and long waiting lists make it feel out of reach.

Our Train Your Own Service Dog program helps people with disabilities work alongside experienced service dog trainers to train their own dog through the same structured process used for the fully trained service dogs we place at Medical Mutts.

This is not a basic obedience class or a pet dog class.

These are step-by-step service dog classes designed for people who truly need a working dog and are ready to commit the time and practice required to build one.

Through structured levels, we guide teams through:
✔ Focus and engagement
✔ Public access skills
✔ Distraction training
✔ Real-world reliability
✔ Customized task training for medical or psychiatric disabilities

The program starts online, making it accessible to people across the country.

🐾 Weekly live online classes
🐾 Practice at home between sessions
🐾 Professional guidance throughout the process
🐾 Final in-person workshop and Public Access Test in Indianapolis

For many people, owner training offers important advantages:
• Lower cost than a fully trained service dog
• Shorter timeline than waiting for placement
• No need to bring another dog into the household
• The opportunity to build an even stronger bond with the dog you already love

Program costs are pay-as-you-go with no large upfront payment:
Foundation Class (8 weeks) – $390
Intermediate Class (8 weeks) – $390
Specialized Task Training (6 weeks) – $390
Final Workshop & Certification 4 days in Indianapolis – $490

Approximate total investment: $1780

Our next group class begins July 11, 2026 at 10:30 AM EST.
Spots are limited.

Not every dog is suited for service work, which is why the first step is an assessment. We’ll help you determine whether your dog has the temperament and potential for this path.

Learn more about the program:

Group Classes | Medical Mutts Transform your dog into a fully-trained service dog with our online group classes. Learn from anywhere, follow our module-based program, and emphasize positive reinforcement techniques, all from the comfort of your home. Join us for a fulfilling journey toward an independent and rewarding partnershi...

Service dog training one day, painting parking lots the next.

At Medical Mutts Service Dogs, no job is beneath us when it helps save money for our mission.

And yes, Jen spent most of the day keeping Rich in line. 😂

Behind the scenes of service dog training ❤️🐾

Most people see the finished service dog calmly working in public.

What they don’t see are the quiet moments that happen first:
the trust-building, the comfort, the patience, and the bond that grows day by day.

Here’s Elijah with Pigeon, one of the smallest service dogs in training at Medical Mutts.

These small moments matter more than most people realize. They help create confident dogs that feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.