Shelly Ferger, CEO/Founder of Dogs For Life, along with the DFL board members, staff, donors, and friends celebrated their 2016 top donors, volunteers, and assistance dog team graduates.

Kathi G. Schumann, board president, expressed her ongoing dedication to DFL and their consolidated focus to assist the veterans of Indian River County. During the awards presentation, she also cited the criteria for the Kathi Schumann Award, which was presented for the first year and given to L.A. Bykowsky.

There was much socializing and engaging introductions with new donors, volunteer award recipients, 2 graduating service dog teams and 7 re-certifying team members.

2016 Award Recipients

Assistance Dog Team…………………….Larry Ingham and Lola

Pet-Assisted Therapy Dog Program.……..Laura Beebe and Sadie

Volunteer of the Year Award..……………Sherry Ingham

Individual Philanthropist Award………….Kathi G. Schumann

Corporate Philanthropist Award…………Coast to Coast Landscaping

Corporate Philanthropist Award…………VCA Florida Veterinary League

Media Marketing Award…………………Treasure and Space Coast Radio

Assistance Dog Team Graduates ……….Mark and Ranger, Pamela and Skye

Everyone enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch and then the agility dog show by the 4-H Dog Masters Club. All the young club members did an excellent job talking about their 4-H involvement and then all showed their dog’s skills during the show.

To wrap-up the afternoon everyone gathered in the Training Center for desserts and more celebration. Devon Williams with Quilt of Valor presented a beautiful custom made quilt to Jim Taylor, US Army (Ret.) and a smaller version to his service dog PiaPia. Shelly Ferger presented well deserved awards. She stated, “Dogs For Life can never say just how much we appreciate our donors and volunteers or how proud we are of our service dog team graduates.”

If you are interested in learning more about Dogs For Life and our service dog training for veterans in Indian River County, please call us at (772) 567-8969 and we will gladly arrange for a tour of our campus, which includes an Off-Leash Dog Park.