Tails of Triumph: Q2 2025 Edition | | |
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As we enter the second half of 2025, Operation Freedom Paws continues to grow thanks to your unwavering support. This quarter, we've celebrated powerful milestones, welcomed new client-dog teams, and deepened our impact in the community.
In this edition, we’re sharing highlights of the lives you've helped transform, and a glimpse of what’s ahead.
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We work so hard to teach our clients to stop isolating.
Because we care about the safety and well-being of those we serve, as well as our volunteers, staff, and our entire community, it’s the reason why we do what we do, to keep our clients connected and moving forward. Keeping them social in any way we can right now.
Much of our attention is focused, rightly so, on those clients needing critical services like health care, support, encouragement, someone to be there when they feel they don’t have anyone to count on. We want to continue to inspire, encourage, and empower them and our community during this precarious time.
Wow! What a year 2025 has been, with many ups and downs, twists and turns. The world in which our clients fought to support is changing, causing them to question numerous things, bringing up trauma.
We’ve had several significant staff changes across different areas of the organization. I am a firm believer that change happens when it needs to, and if you embrace the change, great things can happen. Change is always constant. It helps you grow and that’s what it is doing for Operation Freedom Paws (OFP). It helps bring in fresh ideas and approaches to solving problems. For us, these changes are helping keep OFP moving forward in our day-to-day operations. We are looking to provide the best service possible to our clients, their families, and our customers. We cannot do this without you. These are scary times; it is going to take all of us to take care of those who keep and have kept us free.
We could really use your help by subscribing to our newsletter, becoming a monthly donor, attending our events, or starting a peer-to-peer fundraiser. Every action helps raise awareness and save lives — both two-legged and four-legged.
May tomorrow be better than today, may the future be what you dream of. Dare to dream, believe, find your superpower. At OFP it’s our staff, clients, customers, volunteers, you…and of course the dogs.
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Beyond Graduation: OFP Is Always Here
At Operation Freedom Paws, our commitment to our clients doesn’t end when they complete the program. It’s just the beginning of a lifelong partnership. One recent experience reminded us how important that promise truly is.
| | Newest OFP-Certified Teams | | |
We need to trust our dogs. To do that, we must believe in the program and trust our instructors. We must learn to communicate effectively, with our dogs and with other humans. Most challenging, however, is letting go of unrealistic expectations of perfection from ourselves and our dogs. Striving for perfection is the purpose of daily training. We will achieve moments of perfection, some lasting hours, others only minutes. Learning to enjoy those moments without expecting constant flawlessness helps us build a positive relationship with our dogs and the world around us.
Please join us in celebrating near-perfection from our three newest OFP-certified teams: Gilroy Police Officer Odell with therapy dog Maui, and service teams Janet with Jenny, and Alexsondra with Bronson!
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Volunteer Spotlight
Vicki and her mother have supported Operation Freedom Paws (OFP) for years. In January 2024, Vicki submitted a Volunteer Application, and within a week, she began working with fellow OFP volunteers at SAP Center by handing out door swag as fans entered the arena. In June 2024, Vicki answered a call to help with OFP volunteer coordination and various administrative tasks to assist the office. What a wonderful job she has been doing, from scheduling volunteers at our events throughout the year to assisting at events such as the Wine Gala and Golf Tournament. This year, Vicki donated planting soil, fertilizer, and a variety of plants, including strawberries, eggplant, and bell peppers, for the Victory Garden and also helped with the planting. She also pitched in to help plant the flowers in the planter boxes bordering the Relay Field. Speaking of the Relay Field, doesn’t the new grass look wonderful? Vicki generously funded most of the sod, supplies, and the professional crew that installed it. Vicki has far exceeded our expectations as a volunteer! As a huge thank you for all of Vicki’s generosity, the Relay Field is being renamed the GMA Bear Field. Now, our clients and their families can enjoy the grass and flowers as they stroll along the newly completed walking path. The Relay Field will also be used for training purposes. While it may look like a recreational space, it is not intended to be a dog park. This generous gift provides a healing environment for our clients, many of whom served in desert conditions.
| | Paws for Progress Giving Program | | |
Become A Monthly Donor!
When you become a monthly donor through our Paws for Progress giving program, you're not just giving, you're transforming lives. Your steady support means a shelter dog gets a second chance, and a veteran, first responder, or individual with disabilities begins to reclaim their independence.
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Gilroy Veterans Resource Fair
Thank you to the American Legion Gilroy Post 217 for hosting such a welcoming and impactful Veterans Resource Fair. We were grateful for the opportunity to share Operation Freedom Paws as a resource for local veterans and connect with other organizations committed to serving those who served. Events like these are a great reminder of the strength and support within our veteran community.
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OFP at the Memorial Day Porsche Show
We had a fantastic time at the Porsche Club of Danville's Memorial Day Show! From stunning cars to passionate supporters, the event was a great success. A special thanks to the Diablo Region Porsche Club of America for their generous donation, helping us continue our mission to empower veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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OFP 14th Annual Golf Tournament
Our 14th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Morgan Hill was a day to remember, beautiful weather, great company, and some incredible swings on the course! Thanks to our players, sponsors, and supporters, the event raised funds to help Operation Freedom Paws continue empowering veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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OFP at Cadence PrideFest
We were honored to take part in the PrideFest event at Cadence Design Systems, where our founder Mary Cortani was invited as a guest speaker. Attendees had the opportunity to view our documentary By My Side and learn more about our mission to support veterans living with post-traumatic stress. We're grateful to Cadence for their generous donation and continued support.
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October 4th - Paws With Patriots Wine Gala
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 4, 2025, and join us for an unforgettable evening at our 14th Annual Wine Gala! All in support of Operation Freedom Paws’ mission to empower veterans and individuals with disabilities through the healing power of service dog partnerships. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available!
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October 18th - OFP Bowling Tournament
Get ready for Operation Freedom Paws’ 7th Annual Bowling Event on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Morgan Hill Bowl! Whether you're joining the USBC Certified Tournament or just bowling for fun, you’ll enjoy 3 games of excitement while supporting a great cause.
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November 16th - Morgan Hill Veteran's Run
Join us on Sunday, November 16th for the Annual Veteran's Day Run, a 5K/10K/1M run honoring those who have served and are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Sign up to run and a portion of your entry fee will support Operation Freedom Paws.
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Meet Narvi!
Narvi may be small now, but he’s on a big journey to become a life-changing service or therapy dog. With the right training and support, he’ll one day make a lasting impact. We recently welcomed his sister, Raya, into the program as well, another pup with great potential. Follow along as Narvi and Raya grow into their roles and take each step toward making a difference.
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Meet Tedi!
Tedi came to us with potential, and thanks to the incredible support from our community, he’s now on a path to becoming a life-changing service or therapy dog. His journey is just beginning, and we’re excited to share his progress every step of the way. Be sure to follow us on social media to see how far Tedi goes and the difference he’s destined to make.
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Greetings from the OFP Kennel!
Our main focus has been, and always will be, supporting our mission, and the kennel is a key component in doing so. Having the kennel provide boarding and daycare services to the public means we can continue to support our program and our service dogs in training. We have brought on more kennel staff in the past quarter to allow us to accommodate more dogs for daycare and boarding. This also means we have more staff to care for the dogs we get from rescues and shelters to be part of the service dog program!
Although we are still in summer, it's always great to plan ahead for the holiday season! We always fill up in November and December, so it’s best to make those holiday boarding appointments before then. Now is a good time to start planning to make sure your pup is set for the holidays. It's also important to make sure your pup is up to date on all their vaccines for any upcoming appointments! Email us to make your reservation.
It truly is a dream job to work and play with dogs all day, but the fact that this allows us to further support our mission is what really makes it all worth it. We’re forever grateful for our community and every dog that comes through our doors, your continued support has a direct impact on the clients we serve.
| | Four Paws, Two Feet, One Team | | | | |
