The FREEDOMPRESS {NEWS FROM FREEDOM SERVICE DOGS OF AMERICA} www.freedomservicedogs.org Volume 24 No. 1 FSD co-founder Michael Roche SAVE THE DATE! FSD s 30th Anniversary Celebration JUNE 22, 2017 Stay tuned for more info. Celebrating 30 Years of Transforming Lives, 1987-2017 THAT S 210 DOG YEARS! This year marks the 30th anniversary of Freedom Service Dogs. In 1987, FSD was founded by Michael and PJ Roche. Michael was a paramedic who was paralyzed when his ambulance was broadsided. Wanting to remain as independent as possible following his devastating accident, he and PJ trained their rescued border collie, Oreo, to be Michael s service dog. Michael and PJ realized that shelter dogs had the potential to make great service dogs for individuals with mobility impairments, and created the legacy for what would become Freedom Service Dogs. Over the years, FSD has grown exponentially. We ve increased our programs to serve teens and adults with physical impairments, and also help veterans who are living with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other disabilities. We ve formed a partnership with the Prison Trained K-9 Companion Program that allows for the rehabilitation of offenders through the use of positive-reinforcement based service dog training. We ve pioneered an at-risk youth program that helps hundreds of children in the Denver community each year to develop critical social skills. Most importantly, over the past 30 years, FSD has helped hundreds of clients to live more independent and fulfilled lives, while also giving thousands of rescued dogs a second leash on life. Letter from Board Chair PAGE 2 2016 Graduates PAGE 3 Operation Full Circle PAGE 4 Supporter Spotlight PAGE 5 Love Letter PAGE 6 Adoption Pupdate PAGE 7 Kibbles Club PAGE 8 Along with our 30th anniversary, this year marks a new phase in our journey the completion of our new forever home. After more than six years of preparation, FSD has finally moved into a facility that will allow us to more adequately meet the increasing need for custom-trained service and therapy dogs. We are deeply grateful for those who have helped us to achieve this monumental goal and are eager to see what the future will bring as we continue to build on the legacy established by Michael and PJ Roche three decades ago. These accomplishments would not be possible without the help of our dedicated supporters from around the nation who fuel our mission, our partners in the community whose collaboration is instrumental to the work we do, our amazing volunteers who donate thousands of hours to move our mission forward, and most of all, our incredible past, present, and future clients who inspire our work every single day. The future of Freedom Service Dogs is bright, and we look forward to celebrating!
2 View From the Tall End of the Leash A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR: TOM SCANLAN, RETIRED, BRIGADIER GENERAL US AIR FORCE Happy New Year, Tom Scanlan with his Australian Shepherd, Kodi Well, we are finally in our new digs (that s facilities in dog talk) and they are wonderful. We have more space to grow our operations, our dogs are getting accustomed to the spacious new kennels, and we have a wonderful new training area for our dogs and clients. When you come out to see the new building, you will notice our landscaping isn t complete, but that s just temporary until springtime when we will be able to dig through the frozen ground and add some drought-resistant plants. In 2016, thanks to you and your generous donations, we had one of our best years ever. In addition, we passed our Assistance Dogs International (ADI) inspection with flying colors. ADI is an international membership group that establishes and promotes standards of excellence in all areas of assistance dog acquisition, training, and partnership. They were thrilled with our new facility, the quality of our training program, and the dedication of our staff and volunteers. We are proud to be among the elite ADI accredited service dog training programs in the United States. I d like to thank our departing board members whose vision and hard work have taken us to this new chapter for FSD: Jon Hughes, Bernie Dvorak, Randy Braun, Brittany Johnson, David Mann, and Lee Clayton Roper. And just as importantly, I welcome our new board members who have already jumped into the job with all paws on deck to take us through the next 30 Years: Dr. Allison Friederichs, Ryan Godsil, Kristi Graning, Blake Johnson, Lani Kessler, Gabe Koroluk, Leslie Longo, and Shon Wilson. Now that we ve achieved this monumental milestone that will allow us to grow the number of clients we serve, the board and senior staff recently spent most of a Saturday together mapping out a strategy to take us forward for the next three to five years. FSD President & CEO Michele Ostrander and the staff are already on the path to accomplish great things in 2017, which marks our 30th anniversary (that s 210 dog years!). 3 2016 Graduates MEET THE 2016 GRADUATING TEAMS SHAWNNA & GYRO GARY & HALO SUNNY & SHIMMER In closing, thank you for your continued support. We simply could not do what we do without you our generous community of supporters. I hope you will join us on June 22 at FSD for our 30th Anniversary Celebration. Everyone is welcome; bring your friends and family. Stay tuned to freedomservicedogs.org for more details. KALIE & SLIDER STACY & BOSLEY STEVE & POSCO MIKE & BAGEL Phone: 303.922.6231 Fax: 303.922.6234 www.freedomservicedogs.org JIM & STARK COREY & TROYA NATHAN & NONNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS Board Chair Tom Scanlan, Retired, Brigadier General US Air Force Treasurer Heidi MacIntyre, Cherokee Financial Services Walter Ernst, Ernst & Associates Lani Kessler, Write Occasions Dr. Allison Friederichs, University College of University of Denver Gabriel Koroluk, Wealth Management Portfolio Manager Ryan Godsil, Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP Leslie Longo, VCA Firehouse Animal Hospital Kristi Graning, Loan Stop Lee Mickus, Taylor Anderson LLP Margot Hampleman, Decorative Materials A Ralph Reed, Tall Grass Energy Blake Johnson, Addison & Maxwell Real Estate Brokerage Neal Stanley, Insight Exploration GUNNER & OTTO Secretary Margaux Trammell, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP ANGELA & BRAVE EIN 84-1068936 ISSN: 1537-2863 JOHNNY & BALOO PRESIDENT & CEO: MICHELE OSTRANDER OFFICERS 7193 S Dillon Ct Englewood CO 80112 BLAKE & ZIGGY JAMI & DORITO Freedom Service Dogs of America is a Denver-based nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by transforming shelter dogs into service dogs, and custom training them for individual client needs. Clients include children, veterans and active duty military, and other adults. Their disabilities include autism, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Since being founded in 1987, Freedom Service Dogs has paired more than 350 client-dog teams at no cost to the client. For more information, visit freedomservicedogs.org. BOARD MEMBERS ABOUT DAVID & YARDLEY ALEX & PASTEL Shon Wilson, Acker Law Firm ATARAH & OAK MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 2017 Graduation Dates JUNE 10 DECEMBER 9 NIKOLE & HAMLET ERIN & BARABOO
4 Operation Full Circle EMPOWERING VETERANS TO TRAIN SERVICE DOGS W 2015 FSD Graduates, Derek & Puddles New Dogs THE JOURNEY FROM SHELTER TO SERVICE O ver the last few months, we ve been busy welcoming new dogs to our training program. These dogs come from a variety of backgrounds, but the one thing they have in common is they were once unwanted. At Freedom Service Dogs, we re passionate about helping dogs find their calling in life, whether as a super-star service dog, a professional therapy dog, or a loving family pet. In the next few months, these candidates will complete medical and behavioral evaluations to help determine what path they are most suited to pursue. Here are just a few new members of the FSD family. Keep an eye on our Facebook page to follow their journeys! From left to right: Viking, Hondo, Valli, Muse, Ritz, Otter, Wicks, Ludo, Katara e are excited to announce that in February, Freedom Service Dogs initiated Operation Full Circle, which will focus on increasing the benefits that service dogs provide to veterans. This program sets itself apart by utilizing a new model to train and place service dogs. Over the course of the year, two groups of five veterans will participate in learning how to train their own service dog, and how to use these new skills to help other veterans in need. The seed money for this pilot project was created from legislation sponsored by Representative Landgraf. Freedom Service Dogs is partnering with individuals from the University of Denver Masters of Animal Assisted Social Work program, the Prison Trained K-9 Companion Program, the Colorado Department of Human Services, Socrates Foundation, and others to bring this unique program to fruition. Veterans participating in Operation Full Circle will attend classes conducted by FSD trainers for several months at our new facility, work with different dogs as they hone their training skills, and be matched with a service dog of their own. Once they have completed the program, the participants will be invited to remain at FSD as volunteers to assist with dog handling or be supported as they find work in related fields, while helping other fellow veterans. We are looking forward to the success of this new endeavor and can t wait to update you with our progress. 5 SUPPORTERSpotlight Monty and Becky Davis Monty and Becky Davis first became involved with Freedom Service Dogs in 2015 through their participation in the Faces of Freedom Sporting Clays Tournament. Their passion for rescue dogs as well as serving veterans instilled within them a deep connection to our mission. Since their first year of involvement, they have continued to become more passionate about the work FSD is doing, especially after meeting and hearing the stories of veterans that FSD has helped. In 2015, Monty and Becky decided to donate to FSD in lieu of giving gifts to friends and loved ones for the holidays. Inspired by how meaningful this was to them, they chose to do the same in 2016. In addition, they gave each other the best holiday gift of all sponsoring a veteran on the FSD wait list to receive a custom-trained service dog. For Monty and Becky, this tremendous gift, inspired by their love for veterans, impacts them every single day. Knowing that their support will help rescue a dog as well as a veteran is incomparable to any material gift they could have given one another. To learn more about how to sponsor a client-dog team, call Lindsay Ganassa at 303-922-6231 x218. Monty & Becky Davis The Davis beloved rescue dogs We decided the best gift we could give each other would be the gift of a new life for a dog and a veteran. BECKY DAVIS PUPPIES! Did someone say puppies?! Yes, you heard it right we have puppies! Aslan and Bowser are 12-week old golden retriever puppies that are simply ADORABLE! They came to us from a private breeder who believes in the mission of FSD and wanted to give back. As many of you know, Freedom Service Dogs has found great success in transforming rescue dogs into assistance dogs. That is the foundation upon which we were built, and we will continue to partner with shelters and rescues to identify potential candidates for our training program. From time-to-time, puppies are donated to FSD and partnered with volunteer puppy raisers until they are about one year old. They are then evaluated just like any other dog that enters our program to ensure they meet our medical and behavioral criteria. Follow us on Facebook to watch the puppies grow up and see what path they will choose to take! We re keeping our fingers crossed that they will grow up to be amazing service dogs. Bowser napping Volunteers Megan and Mitch with Aslan and Bowser (from left to right)
ELIZABETH ANDREW Love Letter More than 160 volunteers give their time and talents to Freedom Service Dogs on a monthly basis. We simply could not do what we do with their continued dedication and support. Volunteers help with a variety of jobs. From dog training and enrichment to administrative tasks and special events, our volunteers do it all! We are always seeking new volunteers, and one of our greatest needs right now is for volunteer foster families who are willing to temporarily open their hearts and homes to a furry houseguest. We asked our clients who have received Freedom Service Dogs to write letters to their service dogs. The response was amazing, and we were so touched by the messages included in the letters. Here is one of the letters from Rick, a veteran, to his service dog Chase: FROM RICK TO HIS SERVICE DOG CHASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS Upcoming Events JUNE 22 YEARS Grand Opening & 30th Anniversary Celebration FSD headquarters We recently asked one of our most dedicated volunteers, Mary Conrad, a few questions about what keeps her coming back to Freedom Service Dogs. Here s what she had to say: Why do you choose to give your time to FSD? My love for dogs and the mission of FSD to give rescue dogs a second chance for a better life by training them to become service/therapy dogs for military veterans, children with autism, and people with mobility disabilities. I have witnessed the power of dogs changing the lives of those they are partnered with. What keeps you coming back? Knowing all the dogs will be given a chance to become service or therapy dogs and that those not selected for the program will be adopted out to a forever home. Tell us about your favorite dog. All the dogs that come to FSD are special. I was Mary and Cargo #CargoApproved fortunate to have the opportunity to work with an outstanding dog that will forever remain in my heart named Nonni. She graduated as a well-trained service dog in December 2016, and was matched with a veteran who has a young family. What experience as a volunteer stands out? I had the opportunity to be a part of a video featuring an adoptable dog named Soda, and that really meant so much to me. Soda was having a difficult time finding the right family to adopt her, and the video was instrumental in showing off her beauty and skills. Soda is now named Ginny, and her family absolutely adores her. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in volunteering for FSD? I like to say, if you have time to think about it, you have time to do it. Be willing to make a commitment of four hours a month to support the goals of FSD in making a positive difference in the life of a dog and the people they support as a service dog or a family pet in a forever home. You will get much more than you give when you volunteer with such an outstanding organization as FSD. For more information about becoming a volunteer, visit FREEDOMSERVICEDOGS.ORG/VOLUNTEER JULY 28 Faces of Freedom Sporting Clays Tournament: Denver, CO Kiowa Creek Sporting Club 2014 FSD Graduates, Rick & Chase Dear Chase, You came into my life at a time when death had just claimed my family. When we first met, you bonded with me instantly and you spend each and every day in service to me and my military disabilities and give so much love. I love watching how gentle and kind you are to people, especially when we visit the nursing home and veterans home and when we are in public. I love hearing people on the street say oh what a cute puppy when your head is out the window when we take a ride in the truck. As the years roll by each day with you is a blessing. You ve given me independence, confidence and most important unconditional love. It was so fun watching your first swim in Lake Superior, your first snowfall and how happy you are catching frisbees. You always make me smile when you wiggle on your back squeaking your tennis ball. I thank God for blessing my life with you, for you are an angel to me. I love you, little man; you are everything to me. I love you! Rick SEPTEMBER 22 Faces of Freedom Sporting Clays Tournament: Midland, TX Windwalker Farms Sporting Clays SEPTEMBER 9 l Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. Volunteer Vignette 7 ann ua Mary and Soda (now Ginny) 6 Doggie Plunge Pirates Cove Aquatic Center Happy Hula with her forever family Adoption Pupdate HAPPY HULA After a short adjustment period, Hula is comfortably at home- and now an adorable companion and guardian of our family. She has brought so much joy and love to what I thought was already a pretty full and hectic house. It s amazing what you find missing in your home until someone like Hula comes along. We are overjoyed with our newest addition, and she is accordingly spoiled! I want to send a big THANK YOU to volunteer Mitch Allen and FSD staff for for providing such loving care and exemplary training before Hula found her forever home with us. You all are such a blessing! Thank you and keep up all the great work. Much love, Carolyn OCTOBER 14 Diamonds in the Ruff Infinity Park Event Center presented by For information about sponsorship opportunities or ways to get involved with upcoming events, please contact NADINE PACE AT 303-922-6231 X216 OR NPACE@ FREEDOMSERVICEDOGS.ORG Interested in adopting a new furry family member from FSD? Browse adoptable dogs at FREEDOMSERVICEDOGS.ORG or call 303-922-6231 for information. Colorado Gives Day Thank you! Huge tail wags for our community of Colorado Gives Day supporters that collectively donated more than $93,000 to Freedom Service Dogs enough to fund the placement of THREE custom-trained service dogs with people on our waiting list. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and paws!
Join the Kibbles Club MONTHLY GIVING THAT MAKES AN IMPACT Becoming a member of the Kibbles Club is easy! Visit FREEDOMSERVICEDOGS.ORG/DONATE/KIBBLES or contact NAOMI BOURQUE AT 303-922-6231 X215 OR NBOURQUE@FREEDOMSERVICEDOGS.ORG. Did you know? By donating to FSD on a monthly basis, you: Help fund the most urgent needs of our mission on an ongoing basis, such as emergency veterinary care for a dog in training, supplements and supplies, or ongoing training and support needed by our clients. Are making the most efficient donation; you help FSD to direct as much funding as possible to our programs by reducing the costs associated with postage and mailing. Provide consistent, ongoing support that we can count on. F R E E D O M S E R V I C E D O G S K I B B L E SClub DONATE: Freedom Service Dogs is one of the few organizations in the United States to transform shelter dogs into custom-trained service dogs and provide them to clients at no cost. Your tax-deductible donation helps us continue our work of giving dogs a new purpose and changing the lives of individuals with disabilities. Visit freedomservicedogs.org/donate or call 303-922-6231 to make a donation. Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Denver, CO Permit No. 400 7193 S Dillon Ct Englewood, CO 80112