Freedom Service Dogs Presents Diamonds in the Ruff
Nothing warms the heart quite like a cute puppy, but when the puppy grows into a trained service dog, that is nothing short of miraculous for a person in need of a little help.
Freedom Service Dogs transforms lives by partnering people with custom-trained assistance dogs, and the 11th annual Diamonds in the Ruff celebrated milestones and raised funds to expand and accomplish that mission. 80 people are on the waiting list for that special companion, and as new President and CEO Chris Nelson said, no one should have to wait.
Chris Parente of Channel 2 News brought an upbeat and exciting element to the festivities as emcee. Rachel Sutton and Boogie presented an awesome presentation of just what these angels-in-a-dog-suit can do. Help to take off a jacket? Push a button to open a door? Calm nerves when someone is anxious? No problem for these and many other tasks, and that includes love and hugs.
JJ Raterink returned for a lively stint as auctioneer as the enthusiastic crowd cheered and clapped. There was even a video of the “Kenpuppy Derby Puppy Race”, won by Julep.
To contribute to this incredible cause, whether it be by time, money or energy, go to www.freedomservicedogs.org.
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- Kelly Morine and Reed
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- Committee members Kerstin Keough, left, and Stephanie McCormick
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- Stephanie and John McCormick
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- Becca Overlock, left, and Shelby Cramer with Lou and Lynx
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- Irene Fobe and Fern
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- FSD staff
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- Diamonds in the Ruff committee members
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- Adam and Melissa Morrow (committee)
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- Karen Fay and Trevor Emery
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- Annie Ohman, left, and Nadine Pace with Lou and Rebel
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- Katie Wheeler, left, Shanda and Karl Griebel, Merick Andrade
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- Lori and Jim Issner, event co-chair Lani Kessler, Laura and Brandon Warner
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- Genevieve Denison, left, Yve Denison, Michele Fuentes with Cruz
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- Ashley Henry, left, and Atarah Sauer with Muenster
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- Ryan Durocher and Katie Gaus with Rebel and Lou
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- Randy and Cindy Wells with Lou
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- Nancy Hooten, left, Meryl Hooten, Carol Dampier, Lauren Hooten with Lou
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- Karen Perez, left, Ashley Ayers, Izzy Greer with Fernie, Zamboni and Copper
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- Ashley Ayers with Boogie and Zamboni
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- Austin and Laura Tanner, left, with Ali and Michael Tanner with Lynx
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- Austin and Laura Tanner with Lou
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- Melody
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- Kaitlin and Kyle Martin with Lynx
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- Ashlee and Marcus Davis with Lynx
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- Alex and James Holcomb with Lynx and Rebel
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- Julie Arnold, left, Joy Townsend, Michelle Warren, Janice Tatarsky with Lynx and Acacia
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- Rachel Sutton with Lynx, Boogie, Katana and Melody
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- Matt and Rennie Lauterbach with Lou
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- Megan Bruce and FSD President and CEO Chris Nelson with Sundae
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- Carol and Tad Frank with Sundae
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- Irene Fobe and Fern
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- David and Katie Carpenter with Sundae
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- Katie and Evan Collier and Bogey
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- Megan Beigl (committee) and Mike Dusman with Sundae
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- Michael and Lani Kessler, left, Lori and Jim Issner, Molly Pilch, Ian Kelly-Hedrick
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- Lani Kessler and her daugher Molly Pilch
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- Ian Kelly-Hedrick and Molly Pilch
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- Lani Kessler, Molly Pilch, Lori Issner
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- Anna Krumwiede, left, Shannon Vaughn, Lisa Reel, Kristin Miller, Suzanne Hanson, Karie Watt with Sundae
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- Sarah and Chris Evenson with Sundae
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- John Fabrizio and Claire Duclos with Indie
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- Jack and Linda Tinsley, left, with Kate and Grant Goble with Lou
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- Tenley Hollman, left, Tracee Hollman, Kerstin Keough with Lou
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- The Holland team with Lou
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- Julia DellaSalle, left, Bella Hippe, Dinneen Graff, Spencer DellaSalle, Angela and John DellaSalle with Lou
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- Stuart and Kim Weatherwax and Lou
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- John and Dorothy Petrak and Lou
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- Brian Ard, Katie Ard, Bixie Larson and Lou
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- Karen Trott and Lou
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- Michele and Warren Baum with Lynx
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- The Decorative Materials group with Lynx
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- Betsy and Dan Wilinsky with Lynx
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- The Dan May group with Lynx
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- Evan Marcus, left, Dena Firkins, Carolyn Hirshberg and David Firkins with Acacia
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- Rachel Melo and Daron Carr with Acacia
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- Kristi Novinger (committee), left, and Carrie Mitchell with Acacia
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- Lance and Julie Roberts (committee) with Acacia
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- Robin Vigil, left, Liz Schultz and Julie Roberts with Acacia
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- Tim and Robin Vigil, left, Liz Schultz, Lance and Julie Roberts with Acacia
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- Tom and Robin Vigil with Acacia
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- Dominic Dezzutti and Paula Roth (committee) with Acacia
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- Jan Hirschfeld and Acacia
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- William and Sypnee Beam with Rebel
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- Amy Hastings, left, and Abby Costello with Rebel
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- Allie and Brandon Dora with Rebel
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- Kelsey and Levy Weber and Rebel
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- Taylor and Gina Betters with Rebel
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- The Ohman group with Rebel
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- Cristine Haithcock, left, and Annie Ohman (committee) with Rebel
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- Cathy Kennedy and Rebel
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- Esci Alemayehu, left, and Michelle Dampier with Rebel
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- Luis and Chris Parente
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- Board member Brian and Amy Sward with Rebel
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- Nicki Ward and Rebel
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- Ken and Mel Gallegos and Rebel
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- Mary Kay Howe, winner of the Kenpuppy Derby contest, gets a hug from Carol Dampier, who actually was a jockey
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- Chris Parente gets a photo of Mary Kay and Carol
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- President and CEO Chris Nelson welcomed everyone
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- Chris Nelson with comments
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- Chris Parente makes a point
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- Emcee Chris Parente brought great energy
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- Auctioneer JJ Raterink was glad to be back
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- Auctioneer JJ Raterink wratches up bids
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- Board Chair Michelle Search and Zak Phillips
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- Bidders anxious to win
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- Bidders compete to win the dog naming auction
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- An enthusastic bidder was still left standing at the $2,000 mark
