Dealin' for Dogs benefit a hit

Ric Clark from Team Chihuahua in the Dog Race at the Dealin' for Dogs event to help the assistance dog program. Enlarge

Giant dice, cards, and poker chips set the scene for the seventh annual casino night Dealin' for Dogs Sept. 8 to benefit Assistance Dogs for Achieving Independence, A Program of the Ability Center at Tam-O-Shanter Sports and Exhibition Center in Sylvania.

Casino Gaming tables by Impact Fun filled the room as Distant Cousinz band played tunes. The grub from City Q Barbeque and Continental Services was tasty. A Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament was fun, especially for Bob Monard and Jane Spurgeon who split the winnings.

Frank Booth and Gale Tedhams at the Dealin' for Dogs event to help the assistance dog program. Enlarge

The live and silent auctions elicited lively bidding with auctioneer Jack Amlin assisted by emcee London Mitchell; there was a wine toss for a bottle of wine or a set of Libbey glassware, raffle prizes, and a dog race game won by the Dog Kockey team of Kiley Wasserman, Gail and Gary Phipps, Dean and Sharon Everly, Bob and Allison Thornton, and Greg and Karen Bade.

Tim Harrington, executive director of the Ability Center, welcomed everyone and Gary Phipps with service dog Cedar gave a heartwarming speech.

Event chairmen Karen Bade and Gale Tedhams report a net of more than $30,000.

Among the 300 supporters were Ted Bowman, Ability Center Board President, Tyler Yoder and parents Tim and Jenni Yoder, Janis and Chuck Witte, Jack and Cathy Witte, Lorie and Ric Clark, and Richard Rideout and Janet Albright.