McMuttigan's

I am Donna Chenault Mullenix , and I have been involved in educating people on animal welfare and teaching for over 20yrs. I began working with dogs with my Grandfather, he was an avid hunter and was known for his incredible Walker Hounds. He instilled a love of dogs in me that has lasted a lifetime, showing me tricks as a child and indulging me on occasion when I would take a preference to a pup. I always knew they had a job though and that came first.

I later became involved with the 4-H, where I showed horses and served as part of our judging team. I loved working with horses and it has always been something that came naturally to me. I have shown in many capacities; Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Halter, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Dressage. I was a Certified Riding Instructor with the American Riding Instructors Association for years, I got my level 1 Certification in 1999 and my level 2 in 2000. I was part of a therapeutic riding program where I served as one of the riding coaches and worked with Children with CP, Autism, Children at risk, as well as women with MS doing physical therapy on horseback. I taught all kinds of clients, one of my most interesting, and fun being a blind woman who wanted to get over her fear of heights and horses. She accomplished both and became a confident rider. I worked with children from the age of 7 to adults, and learned then that I was born to teach. I believe education about what you do is everything. It was at this riding facility that I trained my first Pet Therapy dog, a Boxer named Lily, who when I got her was being used as a baiting dog. She somehow came through it all and went on to help many children and adults as well. She was an angel in my life and I will always love her for her caring and never give up spirit.

I became an Animal Behavior College  Certified Dog Trainer in 2005. After course work, apprenticeships, volunteering, and working with the best mentor, friend and trainer,  I could have possibly had, Chris Amick, I saw my dream of saving dogs (that were deemed either unadoptable because of size, breed, color, or behavior issues) come to fruition. My initial reason for all of this was an event I volunteered for in Tuscaloosa, AL, Petpaloosa, where I was told the dogs that were there had not been adopted due to some issue, most of which were simple fixes. This event changed my life.

I have gone on to train dogs for private owners, dog sit, work with Chris to gain more knowledge and helped out when needed with the rescues and Humane Society in Tuscaloosa. I had no idea that at some point I would be where I am now.

I was the Volunteer Coordinator for the Death Row Dog Program at Green River Correctional Complex in Central City, KY. Meaning I volunteered my services to find 20 dogs every 3 months, gave classes at least weekly, took dogs to the vet, and also pulled dogs from all over the state of KY as well as other states.  It is a phenomenal program, that I fell into when I took the job as a Shelter Director. It was a program I took great pride in but like all things in life changes happen and once again, my life is changing at break neck speed. I will always be a staunch supporter, the program was a huge part of my life and I am thankful every day that I had the opportunity to work with the inmates and staff at the GRCC. So many lessons learned:) and so many dogs saved.

 Each time I brought a new dog into the program I would tell them, "I hope you are ready for your new adventure, because after today your life will never be the same." I do mean that, and it is for the best for these "unadoptable dogs". Now I am able to say it on a different scale as it is a group of people working together for a common goal. I am working with Homes For Happy Dogs New England and Dixie Dogs Express as well as FOSS in Franklin, KY to help place wonderful throw away dogs into homes. I rescue dogs here and there and have special people who help foster and help me out with wayward dogs. I was going to take a quick break after my last graduation and ended up on a 6 day road trip.lol Dixie Dogs transported 16 dogs for me, 8 DRD dogs and Shelter dogs from Simpson County...I came home with 1. I think in all over 40 dogs got adopted that weekend from TN, KY and AR. It was beautiful to watch those wiggly butts that didn't stand a chance walk away with a family and a cart FULL of goodies. One dog named Stewart was a bit older and just a run of the mill in a southern shelter. He was adopted on the second day at the last minute, the family that took him went into the pet store and spent a fortune to make sure he was comfy in his new home. It was so nice to see him perk up and be so proud. He looked at all of us on his way to the car as if to say thanks, but..."I'm OUTTA' HERE!!!" They found a great dog and it warmed every heart there. If he'd gone back to the shelter in TN, he would have been held for 24hrs and then Put to Sleep. A lot of lives saved and a lot of happy rescuers and new families...even better, happy dogs:) Thank You Petsmart in Manchester,NH!!

http://mcmuttigans.bbnow.org/index.php

http://mcmuttigans.bbnow.org/index.php  McMuttigan's "Giving Pups a New Life"  This is a new site developed to link you with Petfinder as well as a donate now through Paypal. It is under construction.