Save the Date for Graduation: Dec. 13 Don t miss our inspiring graduation ceremony! Saturday, Dec. 13, p.m. University of Denver, Craig Hall

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1 Save the Date for Graduation: Dec. 13 Don t miss our inspiring graduation ceremony! Saturday, Dec. 13, p.m. University of Denver, Craig Hall Add Our Dogs to Your Gift Shopping List It s time to start thinking about holiday giving, and nobody has been better this year than our rescue dogs! See the Wish List at Don t Miss Santa Paws! Bring your pets to Murdoch s Ranch & Home Supply and make a donation to get their picture taken with Santa! All donations go to benefit Freedom Service Dogs. Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, 1 3 p.m. Murdoch s Ranch & Home Supply, N. Dumont Way, Littleton 2000 West Union Avenue Englewood, CO Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Denver, CO Permit No. 400

2 THE FREEDOM PRESS News from Freedom Service Dogs of America A Sparkling Success Annual Diamonds in the Ruff fundraiser WINTER 2014 Volume 21, No. 2 Walter Davis from the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche mascot Bernie and Denver Nuggets mascot Rocky along with several other local celebrities and community supporters toasted champagne glasses to our military veterans and Freedom Service Dogs client-dog teams. The winner of the one-carat diamond, Lori Reed, was thrilled with her luck, IKEA presented Julia Tingey and her service dog Nakota with a $2,500 bedroom makeover to make it ADA accessible, and FSD raised $92,000! We will use the funds to train three service dogs for military veterans on the wait list. Thank you to sponsors Chive Charities, Visa and Mercedes-Benz of Littleton for helping make our third annual event a sparkling success. Many thanks to the Board of Directors for their support, Decorative Materials, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Mark Allen Private Diamond & Jewelry Broker. (Go to page 6 for even more Diamonds in the Ruff news) INSIDE Executive Director Letter Client-Dog Meet Our Interns. Updates Meet Pawsitive Our Cool Connection Volunteers... &.. Staff Lovey Success and Stories Tango. Get... Healthy Event Doggie Wrap-Ups Plunge More Adoption FSD Stories Events

3 THE FREEDOM PRESS 2 families. At last count, we rescued 62 dogs this year. 3 We make use of every dollar you send our way as we fulfill our mission. When you make a donation by December 13, it will be matched up to $35,000! This match will help us sponsor the class of 2014 graduating service dogs. Right now 50 people in our community veterans and people with disabilities are waiting for one of our service dogs. Fortunately, you have many ways to help as detailed at including: Executive Director Letter A message from the tall end of the leash. As the year comes to an end, I want to adopt the Colorado Avalanche s rallying cry from last year: Why Not Us? As you plan your year-end giving for maximum tax benefit, why not share with Freedom Service Dogs? We have endless reasons that you should select FSD for your giving and endless ways for you to do so. First, let s look at the top three reasons FSD is worth your hard-earned dollars: 1 We provide our service dogs to deserving veterans and community members at no charge. At last count, we placed 25 dogs this year. 2 We rescue scores of dogs in the process of selecting the best service dogs. The special dogs that don t meet our exacting standards are adopted to loving Cash donations or automated monthly payments Memorial and honorary gifts, estate planning Kennel sponsorships Wish List donations (see Amazon) Deckers Dogs contributions Proceeds from your own fundraisers So, why not us? Let me give you one more reason to donate during this holiday season your donations are tax deductible. You can help FSD and maximize your charitable contributions for 2014 in a single step. Plus, you ll be helping people regain their freedom with the assistance of one of our dogs. Thank you for all you do to make our work possible! Sharan Wilson Sharan Wilson, Executive Director ABOUT FREEDOM SERVICE DOGS OF AMERICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Freedom Service Dogs of America is a charitable organization that relies on financial support to rescue, train and provide service dogs to those in need. Clients include children, veterans, active-duty soldiers, and other adults. Their disabilities include autism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For more information, visit The Freedom Press is the newsletter of Freedom Service Dogs of America. It is distributed free of charge to all supporters West Union Avenue. Englewood, CO Phone: Fax: EIN ISSN: Thank you to all of our supporters! OFFICERS Board Chairman Jon Hughes, Petrie Partners Co-Vice Chair Kathy Ford, Wide Open West Co-Vice Chair Leslie Howard, Howard Family Foundation Secretary Margaux Trammell, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP Treasurer James O Brien, Business Executive BOARD MEMBERS Libby Ancona, Kelleher International Randy Braun, Commercial Real Estate Investment Ann Carlsen, Founder and CEO, Carlsen Resources Bernie Dvorak, Executive VP and Co-CFO, Liberty Global Walter M. Ernst, Business Process Management Joseph A. Freer, DVM, Dr. Eugene L. Kirshbaum Foundation For Animals Margot Hampleman, Owner Decorative Materials Brittany A. Johnson, Starbucks, LLP Heidi MacIntyre, Cherokee Financial Services, Inc. David Mann, Retired, Goldman Sachs Lee Mickus, Partner, Snell & Wilmer Ralph Reed, Retired Oil Industry Executive Lee Clayton Roper, Marketing and New Business Development Sharan L. Wilson, exofficio, Executive Director State of Colorado Vocational Rehabilitation Vendor

4 3 WINTER 2014 Interview with the Interns: We get to know Kati Myers and Alison Blanken Kati: I am an intern for the Pawsitive Connection program. I am involved in facilitating group and individual sessions using Animal Assisted Interventions to enhance youths social skills, self-esteem, and empathy. I am enrolled in the Animal Assisted Social Work certificate program through DU. Through my work with at-risk youth in the PC program, I am able to apply the intervention techniques I am learning in the classroom. FSD provides a unique opportunity to learn the training process that service dogs and therapy dogs go through in order to become certified. I was excited to be given the chance to not only work with a population that I plan on serving once I am finished with the program, but also to be able to work with a canine partner in a therapeutic setting. I LOVE all animals, of course! I am also passionate about the outdoors and surrounding myself with nature. I spend my free time exploring as much of Colorado s bountiful beauty as possible and spending quality time with the newest addition to my family, the therapy dog I will soon adopt from FSD, Pocket! FSD is an awesome organization that is not only dedicated to providing service dogs to those in need, but also to saving the lives of dogs that have been given up on. The people who work for FSD are passionate about the organization s mission while providing love and guidance for every dog they work with. Being a part of FSD and PC has been a wonderful experience, and I am grateful for them providing me with the support and knowledge that will be priceless in my future endeavors. Alison: At FSD, I work with the Pawsitive Connection program. PC is a therapeutic dog training program for highrisk youth who are considered to be at risk for reasons such as mental health issues, developmental disabilities, gang violence, disruptive family environments, anger management, other forms of trauma, and/or being selected by school administration for bullying behaviors. PC discusses service dogs and what they can do for various types of clients served by FSD. We also include group discussions related to dogs and humans on the topics of judgements, stereotypes, ethical dilemmas, and distractions (in relation to our goals) in hopes to improve empathy, self-esteem, and prosocial skills. I appreciate working with individuals who can benefit from service dogs incorporated with working with at-risk youth. It sounded like it would be a very empowering experience for the youth involved, and it has been great being able to witness that thus far. Also, I was attracted to its use of service dogs for invisible disabilities, such as PTSD. Our society has created this negative stigma around mental health, and I have found it amazing for individuals to be given a service dog for a second chance at life. When I am not at DU or FSD, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling, baking, working out, discovering new music, and I have been trying to learn how to knit. Getting involved in FSD is a great opportunity to help serve oppressed populations, which includes our nation s veterans, other individuals with disabilities, as well as Colorado s at-risk youth. Harmony, the third Deckers Dog, Graduates! Eric Decker and Jessie James Decker founded Deckers Dogs to improve the lives of animals in need and support the men and women who serve our country. The foundation recently matched its third service dog, Harmony, with Paul, and they will graduate Dec. 13. Learn about Deckers Dogs and become a member at deckersdogs. For a $25 donation, you ll get a T-shirt and updates about the graduating dogs in the program. In Memory Kathleen Fieselman Kathleen Fieselman, a longtime client and board member of Freedom Service Dogs, passed away on Saturday, July 26, Kathleen s family elected to hold her memorial service on Aug. 1 at Freedom Service Dogs, the place Kathleen devoted herself to since receiving her own service dog 11 years ago. Her first companion, Blu, served her faithfully for years. Her most recent dog, Toby, stayed by her side through her final illness. Kathleen s family and friends and everyone she touched with her wonderful spirit flocked to the memorial to remember Kathleen. She will be profoundly missed.

5 THE FREEDOM PRESS 4 Pawsitive Connection Makes an Impact Pawsitive Connection is FSD s therapeutic dog training program for high-risk youth in the Denver Metro area. Our innovative curriculum combines therapeutic group discussions with positive reinforcement based dog training to develop empathy, selfesteem, and prosocial skills. The program operates in a variety of settings, ranging from traditional schools in which participants have been selected by the administration for bullying behavior to kids in lockdown facilities within the juvenile justice system. PC was originally started in 2007 as a joint project between FSD and CBR Youth Connect. In 2010, when the original grant funding ended, FSD made the decision to continue running PC as an independent program. In 2013, we ran 24 groups and served 184 students, and in 2014, we ran 25 groups and served approximately 257 students. In 2015 we are hoping to expand and run 45 groups and serve approximately 613 students. Learn more at Adopt a Rescue Dog Rescuing dogs is core to what we do. These amazing animals are given a second chance, and many go on to graduate as service dogs. However, some are released from our training program because of minor issues with temperament or health that prevent them from helping a physically disabled person long term. All dogs that come through our doors do not return to shelters. Consider adopting one of our rescue dogs. As any dog owner knows, that dog will go on to make a significant difference in your life as well encouraging exercise, bestowing love and affection, easing stress. Click Adopt at to get started. Photographer Funds Service Dog McNeil Designer Portraits has raised $42,000 for Freedom Service Dogs by producing a one-of-a-kind coffee table book exclusively featuring dogs in the Denver metro area. These funds went to the training and care of service dog Brogue. The book features 153 adorable dogs of every size, age and breed. Dogs of Denver is still available for $30 plus $7 shipping from Visit McNeil Designer Portraits or book them today for your family or pet portraits at

6 5 Success Stories WINTER 2014 Adoptees and Graduates Service Dogs Bring Independence Susanne and her service dog Cabo graduated in December 2009, and today are busy traveling all over the country. Susanne served in the Air Force for 21 years until she retired in February Due to her military experiences, she has a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder rating of 100 percent. Without Cabo and Freedom Service Dogs in her life, Susanne would have never considered her current adventures. I didn t think I would ever be able to enjoy life again. I had a hard time leaving my house before FSD and Cabo and now look at us. It is the two of us traveling! Photo: Patty Howe Pet Photography Pretzel Makes Himself at Home Pretzel found his way to Freedom Service Dogs from the Longmont Humane Society. Although he liked to cuddle and was well loved by our staff, he didn t quite have the right stuff to be a service dog. Now he is happily crunching himself in beside his new mom and dad whenever possible, fitting to his name! Limo Becomes a Well-Loved Pet Limo came from a shelter in Wyoming and went from potential service dog to potential therapy dog, and then found his calling as a well-loved pet. Congratulations Limo! Meet Patrick & Ripple Ripple came to FSD from Weston County Humane Society in Wyoming and went through the prison program. He had been shot at, and he had a bullet in his left front foot (that has since healed) and still has a bb in his tail. Neela, our contact in Wyoming, thought he d be a good fit for FSD, and he arrived ready to learn more but already knowing a lot. He was fostered by Evon, was well loved by his regular weekend home Tim (who called him Rip-city ), participated in Pawsitive Connection classes where the kids enjoyed him, and went to demos and other outings with various staff and volunteers. Patrick is from Georgia, is 26 years old, and attended the Nascar Technical Institute before joining the army. He went through our interview process in November 2013 and was accepted onto our wait list. He learned about FSD through his AW2 advocate at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, where he was stationed. Patrick now lives with his family in Buford, GA. While in the army, he was diagnosed with a rare, incurable heart condition and also suffered back injuries while on the job. He has had many surgeries, walks with a cane, is easily fatigued, and can no longer work. Due to his conditions, Patrick needs a full-time caretaker and cannot live alone. Hopefully, over time, Ripple will help to greatly increase Patrick s independence. Ripple has many custom tasks to help Patrick with daily living, including picking up dropped items, helping with laundry, opening and closing household doors, pressing the handicap button, turning on/off the lights, brace, post, and several others. Patrick jumped right into training with Ripple, completely understands the methodology, and has taken it upon himself to also teach Ripple to crawl, shake with left and right paw, rollover, and freeze (putting both paws in the air), just for fun.

7 THE FREEDOM PRESS FSD Events Go to the Dogs! 6 Doggie Plunge. On Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, the 7th annual Doggie Plunge at Pirates Cove Aquatic Center welcomed hundreds of dogs as they plunged into the pools, swimming and living it up, splashing and smiling in the last of the summer sun! Guests enjoyed Biker Jim s Gourmet Hot Dogs, Petey Bird Ice Cream sandwiches, freebies and games courtesy of Murdoch s Ranch & Home Supply, complimentary treats from Chuck & Don s, and doggie life vests provided by Kyjen Outward Hound. One lucky guest even won free food for a year from Pet s Healthy Choice! See you there next year on Saturday, September 5, 2015! More Diamonds in Ruff. Visa has become a supporter of FSD in 2014 by providing volunteers for two FSD events, Doggie Plunge and Diamonds in the Ruff. They also were a $25,000 sponsor of Diamonds in the Ruff making them the event s Title Sponsor. We are overwhelmed with the energy and support of Visa and their staff. Thank you! IKEA. Thank you to IKEA for donating an entire room make over valued at $2, to Julia Tingey and her family. They were at Diamonds in the Ruff to present the gift to the family, provide comfortable seating at the event and goodie bags! We are grateful for their partnership and encourage you to visit them for your next room make over.

8 7 WINTER 2014 Faces of Freedom. On August 15, a committed team of volunteers and more than 60 sponsors produced the 2nd Annual Faces of Freedom Clay Tournament to benefit Freedom Service Dogs. Raising $200,150 this year, the tournament, in total, has raised more than $363,000 for Freedom Service Dogs. Save the date for August 28, 2015, at Kiowa Creek. For more details or to volunteer, visit freedomservicedogs.org/faces. Thank you to Whole Foods SouthGlenn for their generous support of our placement class lunches! A Wish is Granted. Thank you to the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the local Piney Creek Chapter for supporting Operation Freedom with a grant of $5,500, which was matched by the FSD Board Members to equal $11,000! Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament. Freedom Service Dogs was awarded $75,000 from the Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament! Service dog Cargo, along with representatives of Freedom Service Dogs, went to Houston to accept this incredible gift and meet the participants! It was a fun day and Cargo had a blast he even got to ride in a golf cart! Thanks so much to Halliburton for their generosity in helping to support our important mission. Jeff Miller, President and Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer, Halliburton; David Lesar, CEO, Halliburton; and Lindsay Ganassa, FSD Development Manager.