Wareham Dogs Splash Into Training at Water Wizz

Ever wonder what happens at Water Wizz when the park closes for the season? It's quite adorable.

Comfort dogs from across Plymouth County recently splashed through the wave pool and floated down the lazy river at Water Wizz in Wareham, and it wasn’t just a day of play, it was part of a bigger mission.

Behind the scenes were trainers Charlie Young, owner of Professional Canine Services in Middleboro, and his partner Patrick Martin, a retired K9 handler. Together they lead training that shapes dogs into lifesavers, healers and community supporters.

Training With Purpose

Professional Canine Services has been building well-trained dogs for six years. The program covers everything from basic obedience and behavioral modification to advanced service and therapy dog work. Many of the dogs serve police departments, schools and first responders.

Young explained that his team often works with dogs on the brink of being surrendered or euthanized.

“Sometimes dogs get dealt a bad deck of cards. My goal is to not have them euthanized, but instead give them a purpose in life," he said.

A Day at the Water Park

Earlier this month, dozens of dogs joined their handlers at Water Wizz for a one-of-a-kind training day. The event, coordinated with the Wareham Police Department and School Resource Officer Karl Baptiste, gave the dogs a chance to practice obedience while having fun in an unfamiliar setting.

Courtesy Charlie Young

“They did down-stays by the water, then got their reward which was chasing a ball into the pool,” Young said. “It’s training, but it’s also enrichment. These dogs give so much in tough situations. They deserve time to just be dogs, too.”

Handlers laughed and smiled as their dogs swam nonstop for hours, and by the end of the day, he was hearing back from those handlers.

"My phone was blowing up with texts saying ‘My dog is so tired!’” Young said.

Service Beyond the Pool

For Young and Martin, the mission doesn’t stop at summer outings. Professional Canine Services trains dogs to detect narcotics, assist those with seizures or diabetes, alert the hearing impaired, and stabilize people with mobility issues. They’ve even partnered with the Travis Mills Foundation in Maine to expand service dog access for veterans nationwide.

The pair also train comfort dogs through the Plymouth County Comfort Dog Coalition, led by District Attorney Tim Cruz. These dogs are deployed to schools, police departments, and communities facing tragedy, offering calm in the most stressful moments.

Partnerships That Make It Possible

Young was quick to credit Pacheco Kennels in Raynham, a longtime partner in his work.

“Most of the dogs I get come through Pacheco Kennels,” he said. “I’ve known them for 30 years and they’re phenomenal.

Courtesy Charlie Young

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"They’re always willing to hold dogs for me and help whenever needed," he said. "Without them, I don’t know what I’d do.”

Looking Ahead

Next on the calendar is a night training session aboard Battleship Cove in Fall River, where comfort dogs will navigate staircases and unusual environments to prepare them for anything.

For Young, the work is about more than training dogs. It’s about creating a safe space for people, too. At their Middleboro facility, veterans and first responders are invited to gather, bond, and heal alongside their dogs.

Courtesy Charlie Young

“This isn’t just about dogs,” Young said. “It’s about giving people someone to wake up for in the morning, and a community that has their back.”