DENVER, CO – Four leading Broker Associates with Kentwood City Properties recently donated their time and provided lunch for canine trainers with Freedom Service Dogs of America, a foundation that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to serve the special needs of their human partners. Georgia Gallagher, Andi Leahey, Allison Smookler, and Lea VanSchaack delivered lunch to the trainers and their most recent clients after several pups completed a training exercise to a Walmart on Wednesday, April 26, 2014.
“We were very pleased to help such a great organization,” said Smookler. “The service dogs are specially trained to help perform a variety of tasks that increase the independence of those in need. What was once impossible becomes possible. Daily tasks such as transferring in and out of a wheelchair are a big part of the amazing work of service dogs. People paired with service dogs show significant improvements psychologically, socially, and even economically. Each person and their dog gain the independence from each other that they never could have found by themselves.”
“The service dogs are almost exclusively those rescued from shelters, so Freedom Service Dogs of America is bringing together a needy person and a dog that might not get a second chance,” said Leahey. “The trainers are all full-time employees with years of experience, so they depend heavily on volunteers to help reduce expenses. I have worked with them to raise funds and help coordinate events, and it was a pleasure working with my colleagues to help provide trainers and some of their most recent clients with lunch.”
“We were pampered by the generosity displayed by Georgia, Andi, Allison, and Lea,” said the father of a special-needs child who will receive a service dog named Nakoda upon completion of her training. “We are all very attached to Nakoda and she is truly a best friend. She is a Godsend to our daughters and we are grateful for these caring Kentwood City brokers and Freedom Service Dogs of America.”
The dogs with Freedom Service Dogs of America can retrieve items from a refrigerator, push handicap buttons, open and close doors, turn lights on and off, and push lifeline or 911 buttons. They can enhance balance while walking and navigating stairs, retrieve adaptive equipment, carry items by mouth or service packs, and help tug shoes and socks, take off coats and more. For more information, visit www.freedomservicedogs.org.
About Kentwood Real Estate
Kentwood City Properties, formed in 1999, is the newest member of Kentwood Real Estate, known nationally as Denver’s premier real estate company. The company’s street-front office at the corner of 17th and Wynkoop streets is comprised of 52 of metro Denver’s most experienced real estate professionals serving residential buyers, sellers, and developers, and commercial real estate services for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants. For more information phone 303-820-CITY (2489), and visit online at www.kentwoodcity.com.