Summer 2009 - Freedom Service Dogs

Summer 2009 • Volume 16, No.2
Operation Freedom
Forges Battle Buddies
Veterans from the Iraq War, the Gulf War, and the Vietnam Conflict share their experiences with war,
transitioning to civilian life, and bonding with service dogs.
continued on page 6
Photo courte
Iraq Veteran Gives and Receives Help
Army Specialist Cameron Briggs graduates with his dog
Harper this June. His experiences with FSD—as both a
I N S I D E client and a volunteer—have helped Cameron overcome
his fear of public speaking. Today, he frequently shares the
The Tall End
powerful story of becoming involved with Operation Freeof the Leash
2
dom and teaming up with his new “battle buddy” Harper.
As you’ll see here, Cameron will inspire you to reach into
dogs best friends 3
your pocket first for a tissue to wipe your eyes then for
your wallet. That’s how much his story will inspire you.
Nine Teams
Cameron is a third-generation soldier. After returnGraduate
4
ing from a 12-month tour in Iraq in February 2006, he
Harper & Camer
on
Yappy Hour at
resides in the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Carson. A
Elway’s Cherry
series of roadside bombs that erupted next to his vehicle left Cameron with
a
Creek
5
traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Physical injuries
to his back, knees, and ankles add to his challenges. “Soldiering is all I’ve ever
Six Ways to
known,” says Cameron. “I can’t soldier anymore and, like a lot of guys like me,
Support FSD
7
it’s scary leaving the army.”
FSD Events
Volunteering with FSD is helping Cameron transition to civilian life, making
Calendar
8 him more comfortable leaving the post, teaching him new things, and giving him
confidence in working with civilians. “I was in a slump for a while—I was low
sy of Patty Ho
we.
In the last year, Freedom Service Dogs partnered with the Veterans Administration to develop Operation Freedom, which is
aimed at training and placing service dogs with veterans and servicemembers in need. The two-pronged program not only
places dogs with veterans, but it gives servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan the unique opportunity to be
involved in training dogs for their fellow veterans and military personnel.
Veterans and servicemembers help train dogs to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test—which dogs must
pass to graduate to the more rigorous service dog training program. In the six-week program, Operation Freedom helps FSD
by accelerating the basic training process.
“Operation Freedom has been more successful than we ever imagined,” says Sharon Wilson,
executive director of Freedom Service Dogs. “In the last few months, we’ve placed four
dogs and we have more in training. Our waiting list continues to grow as servicemembers and veterans hear about our program. We are deeply honored to assist these men and
women who risked their lives for our country. A Freedom Service Dog can do so much to
enhance their lives after they return. We are proud to serve them.
THE FREEDOM PRESS
Summer 2009
The Tall End of the Leash
We Can’t Do it Without You
Thanking parents and lifetime supporters is tradition in
graduation ceremonies and other milestone events. So
today, I thank all of you for making our Spring 2009
graduation happen. Your help and support have helped
our nine client/service dog teams achieve this lifechanging goal. With donor funds and volunteers alone,
we are able to continue rescuing dogs and providing
them with new lives while transforming the lives of
our clients as well.
To date, Freedom Service Dogs has graduated 133
teams at an average expense of $25,000 per team. Our
activities—rescuing dogs, providing medical care,
housing and training the dogs, matching them with perfect clients, and then training the teams—do not come
cheap. Everything from staff to beds to dog food to accessibility equipment costs money. As we thank you for
your past support, we also encourage you to continue
and to consider increasing your support as you read the
inspiring stories in this newsletter.
Donations Down, Demand Up
While donations are down more than 30 percent this
year due to the poor economy, demand for our services
has gone up. With the success of our outreach efforts
and participation in the Operation Freedom program,
FSD now has more than 10 times the number of waiting clients than we’ve ever had! Our potential clients
can be especially vulnerable in a down economy when
communities are slashing services and their earning
power may be diminished while the assistance they
may need remains very expensive. Dogs are affected by
the economy as well. With job losses and foreclosures,
more dogs are abandoned yet fewer are adopted.
We can help turn this situation around by continuing
to rescue dogs and provide assistance to people at the
same time. To do this, we need commitment in terms of
time and money. Every little bit helps, from grooming
the dogs to providing maintenance on our vehicles to
offering contributions of any size. On page 7 you’ll find
a rundown on all the ways you can help, from volunteering to making monthly donations and everything
in between.
Life-Changing, Life-Saving Work
Our work at FSD is vital to our community. Our service
dogs have literally saved lives, helping clients who
have fallen in the bathtub or been trapped under their
own wheelchairs. And our dogs change lives, providing
the physical and emotional support that many of our
clients need to get through the day, including helping
with laundry, opening doors, and picking up dropped
items. FSD’s rescue approach changes the life of each
dog as well. This year, we rescued and graduated a dog
from a meth lab, removing him from a toxic environment and providing him with a new life of purpose,
praise, and comfort.
The financial, physical, and emotional benefits—to
both the client/dog teams and the community—of our
work at FSD are proven and powerful. So we hate to
see clients languish on our waiting list. We want to
continued on page 3
ABOUT FREEDOM SERVICE DOGS
Freedom Service Dogs, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c) (3) organization founded
in 1987. FSD rescues dogs from shelters and trains them to assist people with disabilities,
enabling them to lead more independent lives.
FSD donates trained service dogs to clients, teaches clients to work with their dogs, and
provides lifetime support for the team. FSD educates the public about the legal rights and
etiquette for all assistance dogs.
Service Dog Partner
Paul Scott, Vice Chairman
Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP
J.J. Ament, Treasurer
The Freedom Press is the newsletter of Freedom Service Dogs, Inc. It is distributed free of
charge to all supporters.
Investment Banker
2000 W. Union Ave., Englewood, CO 80110-5567
Phone 303.922.6231 Fax 303.922.6234
Aurora Animal Shelter
Board Members:
Pamela Alford
Rebecca Magnotta
Lela Cocoros
Rita Martin
www.freedomservicedogs.org
Kimberly Field
James O’Brien
EIN 84-1068936 ISSN: 1537-2863
Jon Hughes
Community Volunteer/Retired
Business Executive
Merrill Lynch
A Ralph Reed
Jerry Maglio
Retired - Tall Grass Energy
State of Colorado
Vocational
Rehabilitation Vendor
October Strategies, Inc
Author
THANK YOU to all of our supporters!
Maglio Associates, Inc.
38158
2
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers:
Kathleen Fieselman, Chairman
Executive Director
Sharan Wilson
DISH Network, LLC
The Basket Lady
THE FREEDOM PRESS
Summer 2009
The Tall End of the Leash
continued from page 2
move our clients to the greater independence and confidence that a service dog can provide, and we want to do
it sooner rather than later. Many clients on our waiting
list have shorter life expectancies, making waiting more
costly. If we can team clients with service dogs earlier,
their lives can be enriched longer.
You can get dogs out of shelters and clients
off waiting lists by making a contribution
today. I encourage you to attend our graduation on June 27 at Englewood Civic Center to see our
efforts in action and keep spreading the word about
FSD. Thank you again for your ongoing support!
Sharan Wilson
Half-Baked?
Hot cars and dogs don’t mix.
Leaving a dog in the car is a half-baked idea that can be fatal to your dog.
Even with the windows cracked, cars trap heat like greenhouses. According
to MyDogIsCool.com, “On a summer’s day of only 85°F, for example, even
keeping the windows slightly open won’t stop the inside temperature
from climbing to 102° in 10 minutes, and to 120° in 20 minutes.” Clearly,
leaving your dog in the car is not worth the risk. If you can’t bring your dog
with you wherever you’re going, then leave him or her at home.
For more information about saving dogs from suffering—and potentially
dying—in hot cars, visit www.MyDogIsCool.com, where you can use a
handy tool that lets you enter your ZIP code to see if it’s too hot for your
dog in the car. You can also download or order flyers, warning signs, and
posters. Be cool this summer, don’t EVER leave Fido in the car.
Dogs Best Friends
Freedom Service Dogs is 100 percent donor funded! Thank you to every volunteer and donor who supports
our mission to change lives.
The following individuals, companies, foundations, organizations, and clubs have donated more than $500 so far this
year to Freedom Service Dogs. We appreciate your ongoing support and assure you that your valuable donations are
employed wisely.
Individual Donors
Estate of Bill Balaban
Douglas Barr
Cheryl Dunn
Sheri Folsom
Stacy Matthew Hicks
Therese Howard
Glenn Jones
Douglas Koktavy
A Ralph Reed
Deborah Spring
June Travis
Corporate Donors
American Family Insurance
Cowboy Moving & Storage
Decorative Materials
Future Solutions
Halliburton
Mass Mutual
Valero Energy Foundation
Venoco Inc.
Westminster Dental
Associates
Foundation Donors
Abdoulah Family Fund
Animal Assistance Fund
Christopher & Dana Reeve
Foundation
CVMA Auxiliary
Graham Foundation
Halcyon Hill Foundation
Helen Brach Foundation
Henry W. Bull Foundation
ISEC Foundation
JJJ Foundation
Merrill Lynch & Company
Foundation
Foundation Donors (cont.)
Melvin and Elaine Wolf
Foundation
Ray Rowe Trusts for
Animals
Organizations and Clubs
Canine Rehab and
Conditioning Group
First Plymouth
Congregational Church
Mile High United Way
Monday Club of Bowmar
WellPoint Associate Giving
Campaign
Zonta Club of Denver II
3
THE FREEDOM PRESS
Summer 2009
Nine Teams Graduate!
The Spring 2009 Graduation on Saturday, June 27, showcases our latest success stories.
After more than six months of hard work—that’s
three-and-a-half years in dog years—our latest teams
of clients and service dogs are ready to graduate. Don’t
miss this opportunity to see for yourself the impressive results produced by our devoted staff, volunteers,
clients, and dogs. You’ll have the opportunity to meet
the teams, interact with staff and volunteers, and see
the dogs and their owners in action.
Our nine teams for Spring 2009—which includes four
Operation Freedom participants—consist of the following clients and rescued dogs. We appreciate the ongoing support of local animal shelters in helping us find
the ideal candidates for service dogs.
• Annie & Dusty, Professional Therapy Dog Program,
Table Mountain Animal Center
• Artie & Sierra, Operation Freedom Program,
Weston County Humane Society
• Cameron & Harper, Operation Freedom Program,
Weston County Humane Society
• David & Misha, Service Dog Program, Prison
Trained K-9 Program
• David & Summer, Operation Freedom Program,
Prison Trained K-9 Program
• Ethan & Dasher, Service Dog Program,
Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies
• Ian & Clark, Operation Freedom Program,
Privately Donated
• Richard & Daisy, Service Dog Program, Prison
Trained K-9 Program
• Spencer & Porter, Service Dog Program, Prison
Trained K-9 Program
To see the impact a service dog can have on an
individual—and his or her family—let’s take a closer
look at one of the Spring 2009 graduating teams:
Spencer and Porter.
Early Impact
Spencer is a 10-year-old girl with cerebral palsy. She
and her 9-year-old brother, Grayson, have two good
homes with their three parents in Boulder. Spencer’s
cerebral palsy affects her motor and muscle function,
so her parents sought a service dog to help her with
balance, mobility, and other tasks. When her mother,
Talia, found Freedom Service Dogs and they matched
Spencer with Porter, a 2-year-old poodle mix, they
4
found more than they hoped for. “We knew a service
dog would be helpful to Spencer,” says Spencer’s stepmother, BJ. “But right now, in the first month of having
him, he’s already helping Spencer—more so than we
might have imagined.”
Dress for Success
According to BJ, Porter is especially helpful when
Spencer is dressing and undressing. In addition to
following the “take,” “bring,” and “give” commands
involved in selecting clothes, Porter is able to help
Spencer brace as she dresses. To help her undress, he
can pull off her shoes, socks, pants or leggings, and
shirts. Porter can also serve as a brace to help Spencer
use the restroom, and he frequently picks up dropped
items such as his leash, pens, and books.
According to Talia, “The greatest help to Spencer so far
was when she had a big fall in the garage and couldn’t
get up on her own. Porter followed the ‘brace’ command and Spencer was able to use him to get up—
without my help. This was the first time she was able
to get up from a bad fall without an adult helping her.”
This certainly increased Spencer’s independence and,
according to Talia, “is worth the price of admission.”
“He is very attentive and sweet as can be,” says BJ
of Porter. “Bri, the trainer, has done a fantastic job at
helping with Spencer’s specific needs and helping train
Spencer, too.”
Positive Motivation
According to BJ, with Porter in her life, Spencer has
more interest and energy and she challenges herself
more. “She can
tire really easily because her
cerebral palsy
causes her to
be in constant
movement,”
explains BJ. “If
she’s especially
tired, things
people take for
granted—even
picking something up—
can bring up
vulnerability
continued on page 5
Porter and Spen
cer
THE FREEDOM PRESS
Summer 2009
Nine Teams Graduate!
continued from page 4
and resistance. Now, her motivation and emotional and
social engagement are already improved. She stretches
herself, spending another five or 10—or even 30—minutes on an activity she might have previously been too
tired to follow through on, for example.”
she attends in Boulder, Colorado, and ideally be with her at all times. “Overall, Porter
is a fantastic motivation for Spencer—emotionally and
socially. He helps her become more motivated and engaged,” concludes BJ.
Porter helps the family lighten up as well. According to
BJ, Spencer doesn’t fully recognize that all kids are different and need help—not just her. “She wants help, but
it can also be difficult for her to accept that she needs
so much help, and sometimes it angers her,” says BJ.
“When she’s being corrected or being taught something,
it’s easier for her to receive correction around her relationship with Porter—because the attention is on Porter
and not on her cerebral palsy. She’s easier on herself
and it’s easier on the rest of us. He’s serving all of us
in that his presence and energy softens things around
here altogether.”
A Cause for Celebration
Eventually, Porter will join Spencer at the charter school
Spencer, who is among FSD’s youngest clients, has
many years ahead to perfect her relationship with Porter. Many people struggle for years without realizing the
difference a service dog might make in their lives—or
good years slip away as they wait for a service dog. We
encourage you to attend the graduation, see for yourself
how Freedom Service Dogs changes lives, and then turn
to page 7 to see how you can help.
Saturday, June 27, 1–3 p.m.
Hampden Hall, Englewood Civic Center
1000 Englewood Parkway, Englewood, Colorado 80110
RSVP by June 24: 303-922-6231
Yappy Hour at Elway’s Cherry Creek
Happy hour event sponsored by TV pros brings in half the cost of a service dog’s team placement.
The “Barktinis” were cold and the silent auction hot at a fundraiser for Freedom Service Dogs organized by
PawsiTiVe, a group of cable and satellite television professionals. More than 100 friends showed up at Elway’s
Cherry Creek to network, pet dogs and meet clients—all while raising money for FSD. The schmoozing stopped
as the hushed crowd listened to FSD teams Jason and Rushmore along with Army Specialist Cameron Briggs
and Harper tell their moving stories of how their service dogs enrich their lives. “It was all I could do not to cry,”
avid listener Joseph Capora says. “I’m happy they have their service dogs. I want everyone on the waiting list to
get their dogs.”
The PawsiTiVe benefit committee includes Jessica Arboleda, Cheryl Davis, Kimberly Field, Jody Haas, Brenda
Price, Jennifer Smardo, Diane Vertovec and Tad Walden. Thanks to a generous match by FSD supporter Colleen
Abdoulah, Yappy Hour raised enough money to sponsor one-half of a service dog team’s placement.
Consider organizing a Yappy Hour for Freedom Service Dogs to sponsor a team! Contact us at
[email protected]—we’d love to help you throw a party!
Silent auction bidding gets fast and furious. Generous sponsors—
including Time-Warner Cable, Eagle:XM Marketing, HBO, Animal
Planet, Starz, Oxygen Network, Showtime, HGTV, The Sportsman
chained in the Channel, Outdoor Channel, Dogtopia, Idea Tribe, Colorado Water
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5
THE FREEDOM PRESS
Operation Freedom
Forges Battle Buddies
continued from page 1
on friends, I missed deployment, I hated meeting new
people,” says Cameron. “But volunteering at FSD brought
me out of my shell. Everyone is professional yet fun, and
I’m back to doing stuff I used to do before.”
Cameron describes his relationship with Harper as a
“breakthrough in service dogs” because Harper provides
as much emotional
support as physical
“In combat, you can’t go anywhere
support. His PTSD
alone—you don’t go anywhere
manifested itself in
without your battle buddy. In civilanger and anxiety,
ian life, Harper is my battle buddy.”
causing Cameron
to cut off people
and sabotage relationships. “Now that I have Harper in my life, I just look
at him and he puts a smile on my face. Knowing all the
things he can do for me—and his nonjudgmental companionship.” In terms of everyday tasks, Harper is trained to
help Cameron keep track of necessities such as his keys,
cellphone, and wallet; open doors and refrigerators; and
perform “crowd control” to prevent anxiety. Cameron describes Harper in glowing terms as a “wonderful tool and
companion” and “a complete sponge who loves to work.”
Not to mention “a free spirit,” a “lover,” and “so darn
good lookin’.”
“In combat, you can’t go anywhere alone—you don’t
go anywhere without your battle buddy. In civilian life,
Harper is my battle buddy,” says Cameron. “I hate leaving
him behind. I don’t even have a kennel for him as there’d
be no point.” Cue the tissue and the checkbook.
Gulf War Veteran Gains Freedom
David Watson, a Gulf War veteran, has many physical
challenges as a result of his tour of duty. His spinal cord
injuries and severe nerve damage inhibit his balance and
his ability to walk. Increasingly, he found himself grasping
the back of his wife’s wheelchair for balance.
Not anymore. Operation Freedom recently paired David
with his new service dog, Summer. In a matter of months,
Summer has helped David by preventing falls and detecting obstacles—and even assisting with grocery shopping.
“She always wants to go to the dog bone aisle first!”
claims David.
“Some days I can’t move my legs, and then Summer is my
legs,” says David. “She gives me freedom because I need
to watch my wife to take care of her and not be behind her
wheelchair. Now people talk to us about Summer and our
disabilities. Before, they always talked behind our backs.”
As is often the case, Summer is helping more than her
teammate. Service dogs often help the entire family, taking
care of routine tasks so clients can devote attention to others and caregivers can take breaks without worry.
6
Summer 2009
Service Dog Lobbies with
Veterans’ Advocate
Artie Guerrero, a veteran of the Vietnam
conflict and a veterans’ advocate, grew up very
patriotic. That was after World War II—when
everybody was patriotic. In 1967, Artie was
drafted. He attended 13 weeks of basic training, then
13 weeks of advanced infantry training. Then he was sent
to Vietnam.
After arriving in Vietnam, Artie was sent into combat
within three weeks. His first assignment was with an artillery unit of six soldiers. The unit was dropped by helicopter on top of a mountain and snuck in as another artillery
unit was moving out. Within 15 minutes they were hit and
the bullets started flying. The soldier on Artie’s left took
a slug under his arm that blew his heart out. The soldier
on his right, the patrol leader, took five or six slugs in his
gut. The third soldier, who was in front of him, was fatally
wounded. That left Artie with two men by his side. “That
was my welcome to Vietnam,” says Artie.
What happened next is still with Artie today. A shot between his fingers knocked him to the ground where he was
hit again in the shoulder by an AK-47. The hit spun him
around; grenade shrapnel hit him in the other shoulder.
The last wound, caused by a slug that hit him in the leg,
flipped him around again. “Knowing how we were surrounded, how I didn’t (die) is a miracle,” says Artie.
A veterans activist who lobbies tirelessly for veterans
rights, Artie uses a wheelchair, has multiple sclerosis,
and is paralyzed from his injuries. Recently, something
changed his life—his
new service dog, Sierra.
“I hate leaving him behind. I
Operation Freedom
don’t even have a kennel for
teamed Artie with Sierra,
him as there’d be no point.”
who has become his arms
and legs. Sierra retrieves
objects that fall to the ground, opens handicap doors, finds
his phone, and performs other routine tasks.
Sierra fulfills an even bigger mission, however. She is at
Artie’s side while he lobbies at the Colorado State Capitol
and in Washington, D.C. Sierra demonstrates the role
Artie’s service dog plays in his life, including helping a
veteran overcome the stress of being in a crowd. “When
you go out with your service dog, you are a person with
a cool dog. Not a person with a disability,” Artie says. “A
service dog lets veterans be like everyone else.”
Demand Increasing
As word spreads among veterans and servicemembers,
particularly in Fort Carson, requests for service dogs are
increasing. Currently, five veterans are on the client waiting and the list continues to grow each day. It will take
a significant commitment of time and money to provide
this valuable service to those who have helped protect our
country. Please visit www.freedomservicedogs.org today
to see how you can help. Operation Freedom is just hitting
its stride—you can help the program reach its potential.
THE FREEDOM PRESS
Summer 2009
Six Ways to Support FSD
After reading the inspiring stories in this newsletter, we hope you’ll support Freedom Service Dogs in any
way you can. Our flexible giving options are designed to suit various life circumstances—but no matter
how you choose to give, please remember that every little bit helps change lives. Thank you!
1. Kennel Club
This club provides a
unique opportunity
for individuals, families, community
groups, and companies to support and
help provide care for the dogs residing at our facility. When you sponsor a
kennel for $1,000, an engraved plaque
with your name will be displayed on
an FSD kennel for 12 full months.
Your tax-deductible donation
of $1,000 will help cover the costs of
vaccinations and medical care, food,
shelter, grooming, and basic training
for the dogs. Donors supporting the
Kennel Club will be recognized on the
FSD website, in the quarterly newsletter, monthly e-newsletters, and in the
FSD annual report.
o I would like to join the Kennel Club for
$1,000 (check or credit card).
Name to engrave on plaque:
_______________________________
2. Kibbles &
Bits Club
This club allows donors to easily support our programs with an ongoing,
monthly gift. Your monthly donation
provides the steady, stable funding we
need to continue our vital work 24
hours a day, seven days a week.
o I would like to join (credit card only):
o $16 per month (annual gift of $192)
o $24 per month (annual gift of $288)
o $32 per month (annual gift of $384)
o Other $______ per month
3. Make a Donation
oI would like to make the following
donation (check or credit card).
o $50 buys five water or food bowls
o $125 buys four new dog beds
o $250 feeds one dog for the entire
time they train at FSD
o $500 buys one balance harness to
assist a person with a disability
while walking
o $1,000 covers the cost of veterinary
expenses for one dog in training
o $5,000 pays for six dogs to com-
plete FSD’s Camp Service training
o $10,000 pays for four dogs to com-
plete FSD’s Camp Paws training
o $25,000 sponsors the training and
placement of one client-dog team
o Other $__________
4. Hop Online
Use your PayPal account, bank account, credit card, or debit card to
make an immediate donation online.
Visit www.freedomservicedogs.org and
click the Make a Donation button.
5. Volunteer Your Time
FSD has many opportunities to help
in the office and with the dogs. To
download a volunteer application, visit
www.freedomservicedogs.org and click
Ways to Help FSD.
Freedom Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization. • All contributions are tax deductible. • FSD does not share your personal donor
information with other organizations.
6. Provide Wish-List Items
FSD can use dog food, training items,
office supplies and much more. If you
can provide any of the following. call
303-922-6231 or stop by to give!
One-time Donations Needed:
• Automobile pet barriers (10)
• AM/FM radios (5) and CD players (5)
• 12-amp upright vacuum cleaners (2)
• Large new (or near new) crates for
50–90 lb. dogs
• Agility equipment
• Raised or elevated dog beds (25–30)
• Small upright freezer
• Reupholster the FSD dog van seats
• Tires: Four P225/75R15 for FSD dog van
• Music/sound CDs: classical, wilderness,
beach, bird sounds, meditation
Items of Ongoing Need:
• Gift Cards: Target, Walmart, Petsmart,
Lowes, Home Depot, etc.
• Large or X-Large Kongs, other durable
dog toys
• 6' leather leashes
• 16" and 18" flat buckle collars
• Premier Easy Walk Harnesses (M/ML/L)
• Flat fleece dog beds
• Waterproof dog beds/waterproof covers
• Revolution flea tick and worm preventative, Frontline flea and tick preventative
• Flaxseed capsules, fish oil capsules
• First aid supplies
• Healthy dog treats
• Cat treats, cat litter
• Canned pure pumpkin, plain white rice
• Low sodium chicken or beef broth
• Mop heads, trash bags, latex gloves
• Laundry detergent (fragrance free), dishwasher detergent/dish soap, hand soap
• Bleach, dryer sheets, baby shampoo
• Spray bottles
• Toilet paper, paper towels, cotton balls
Please include this form and your check (if applicable) made payable to Freedom Service Dogs in the enclosed envelope and
mail it to us today! Or you can donate securely online at www.freedomservicedogs.org.
Name________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address_ __________________________________________ City/State/ZIP _______________________________________
Phone____________________________________________________ Email _______________________________________
Credit Card: o Visa o MasterCard, Card Number_____________________________________________________________
3-digit code on back of card___________ Expiration Date_Name as it appears on card_ _________________________________
7
Signature_ _________________________________________________ Date_______________________________________
2009 Freedom Service Dogs Events
Freedom Service Dogs—and generous friends of FSD—host fun, unique events throughout the year to raise funds
for our mission of assisting people with disabilities. Our 2009 goal is to match all the clients on our waiting list with
a perfect teammate. Mark your calendar for these events, then check the website for details.
2009 Spring Graduation
Saturday, June 27
Hosted by Freedom Service Dogs, Inc.
Englewood Civic Center
Englewood, Colorado
RSVP by June 24, 303-922-6231
Puttin’ Pub Crawl
The 3rd Annual Ultimate
Mini Golf Party
Saturday, Aug. 15
Hosted by Loft22–Larimer Square
LoDo, Denver, Colorado
Fido Fest
The 4th Annual Canine Carnival
Sunday, Aug. 23
Hosted by VAIN Salon
Denver, Colorado
Festival of the Bastardino
The 2nd Annual Celebration of Mixed Heritage Dogs
Saturday, Sept. 12
Centennial Park, Englewood, Colorado
2009 Autumn Graduation
Saturday, Oct. 10 (tentative date)
Englewood Civic Center, Englewood, Colorado
Join the FSD Email List!
To stay in-the-know about Freedom Service Dogs, sign up to receive
ongoing electronic bulletins. Simply visit www.freedomservicedogs.org and click the Join Our Email List
button. Tell your friends to join, too!
Green Dog Deciphered
What’s Green Dog all about? Green Dog will appear
all over the Denver metro area this summer. Find out
how you can Help Green Dog by visiting
www.HelpGreenDog.com.
We need your help
more than ever.
e.
Photo courtesy of Patty How
Address Service Requested
2000 West Union Avenue
Englewood, CO 80110-5567
Rescuing Dogs To Free People
Freedom Service Dogs, Inc.
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
DENVER CO
PERMIT NO. 400