Young puppies and seasoned canines gathered with their human friends to celebrate the 10th Annual Freedom Service Dogs Diamonds in the Ruff: The Great Barksby, a homage to the Roaring Twenties with many guests wearing their best 1920s attire.
FOX31 TV Anchor Chris Parente served as the emcee of the FSD signature event
The 10th Annual Diamonds in the Ruff “The Great Barksby” was Presented by The Harold Lee Charitable Foundation
Unlike last year’s online event the 2022 Freedom Service Dogs 10th Annual Diamonds in the Ruff Gala was held in-person Saturday, May 7, at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center. FSD’s mission for decades has been to help transform the lives of people from many walks of life by matching people with custom-trained service dogs.
Emcee Chris Parente of KDVR/Fox31 kept the event moving throughout the evening including live demonstrations of service dogs in action, videos of clients grateful for their doggy service partners, and a live auction led by JJ Raterink to help boost donations. The annual event was Presented by The Harold Lee Charitable Foundation. Music for the reception was provided by Spinphony Electric Quartet.
Meanwhile President and CEO Michelle Ostrander officially announced her retirement with a bittersweet farewell and a special thanks to her staff, board, volunteers and guests.
The organization also thanked its many sponsors and donors who made the evening possible. Silver Sponsors: Noel and Erika Wickwar; Bronze sponsors: Dan and Stacey May; Denver Life Magazine; InBank; and Mile High Sports; and Media Sponsor: KDVR/FOX31. Among this year’s contributors include: Bird Dog Whiskey, Boodles British Gin, Jay’s Valet, Mile High Sports, Newberry Brothers Floral & Décor, Thompson Jewelers, Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Freedom Service Dog in training “Boogie” was a hit with guests
Since its founding in 1987 Freedom Service Dogs has matched service dogs with a wide range of people including veterans with PTSD, children and teens with autism and physical disabilities, and individuals with neurocognitive disabilities. Training each dog requires 18 months of training and costs more than $30K. Since its establishment the organization has placed more than 500 dogs with children and adults. To volunteer, donate or learn more about Freedom Service Dogs please visit. FreedomServiceDogs.org
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- Dog trainer Irene Fobe with Clarita
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- Emcee Chris Parente kept the crowd engaged
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- Guests enjoyed the silent auction
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- Megan Neilson with Cypress
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- Generous guests wore their best Roaring Twenties attire
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- Megan Beigle, Debbie Atwell
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- Diamonds in the Ruff Committee C-Chair Blake Finley
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- Among the many live auction items were from the Denver Broncos
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- Amy and Brian Sward with service dog Lucius
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- Ali and Michael Tanner
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- Dan and Sheri O’Leary
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- Michael, Bobbin and Ed Holtvluwer
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- Todd and Toni Bower
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- Cristina and Eddie Martinez with dog Alfredo
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- HB and Natalie Homer, left, with Dan and Stacey May
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- Marcus and Ashlee Davis
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- Lea and Chris Wilson
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- Rob and Renee Crosby
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- FSD staff Shelby, Sarah, Becca and Leigha with service dogs Lynx and Lucius
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- Stephan Dyachkovskiy and Airina Rodrigues
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- Cameron and Lourdes Gray
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- Joel and Carol Johnson
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- Noel and Erika Wickwar
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- Karen Aalund, left, with FSD President and CEO Michele Ostrander
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- Julie and Lance Roberts
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- Michelle Search (board chair) and Zack Phillips
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- Michelle, Dan and Carol Dampier
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- Alexis and Brian Thompson
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- Julie Arnold, left, Joy Townsend, Michelle Warren
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- Chip and Charlene LeRoy
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- Daniel Goldberg and Alicia Marchessault
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- John and Steph McCormick with Lucky
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- Kristen and Rob Deevy
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- Phoebe and Keith Smith
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- Michelle and Chris Strother
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- Tim and Megan Lindsey
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- Mindy Taylor and Kristina Turczyn
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- Paul and Lee Ann Weston
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- Matthew and Suzanne Hanson
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- Ariel Stenger and Luke Pesavento
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- Greg Rodriguez and Tamara Sorge
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- Karen and Mark Aalund
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- Hudson and Kristin Teuscher with Lizzy
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- The Meyers group
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- Sophie Richie and Jamie Ritchie
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- Laura and Carl Fitch
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- Sarah and Chris Everson with Reef
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- Sharon Callahan and Richard Worley
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- Derrick and Nichole Burnett
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- Harry and Kristen Baumeister
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- Vikki and Cadence Disney
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- Miranda Jones and Lucius
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- Jake and Dana Reynolds
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- Michelle and Rick Mendoza
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- Lisa Lewis, left, Steph McCormick, Kristen Deevy, Michelle Mendoza
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- Coleman and Brittany Levy, left, with Hope and Andrew Beck
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- Lori Powers and London
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- Debbie and Greg Guckes
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- Amber Newberry, left, Pam Bradley, Renee Tatterson, Thea Necker
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- James and Alex Holcomb
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- Brandon Parks, Jane Parks and Hagrid
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- The Adam Warren group
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- Chris and Tia Yaryan
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- John Burns, Katie Coleman, Kirk and Susan Trost, Chris and Tia Yaryan
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- The Denver Life Magazine group
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- Chantel Underkofler, left, Suzanne Hanson, Kristin Miller, Annie Romano
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- Lulu Sanchez and Chris Boyer with Noodle
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- Scott and Dierdre Vincent
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- David and Carolyn Hirshberg
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- Maria and Kevin McEvoy, left, Suzy and Al Hirschberg, Carolyn and David Hirschberg
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- Eric and Brenna Peters with Goose
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- The Mercedes Benz of Littleton group
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- Alex Bravo, left, Victoria Ramunno, Sheila Laurienti, Leslie Pulido
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- Phil and Dru Ray
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- Terry and Kristen Walsh
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- Penfield and Paulette Tate
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- From FSD–Shelby, Kelly, Hannah and Becca with Lynx and Lucius
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- Sarah and Stephen Mills
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- Tony Matovina and Annie Ohman
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- Christian and Janelle Hiles, left, with Susie and Tom Finley
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- Nadine and Andrew Pace
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- The FSD Diamond Committee
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- Merick and Alex DiMarchi
