FOUNDER/PRESIDENT/RESCUE OPERATIONS LEAD/CANINE BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST/ANIMAL TRAPPING SPECIALIST

Freddie B. has been raising dogs since he was a little boy and over the last years 50+ years, has developed the “gift” of being able to understand them, their body language, and in essence, the ability to communicate with them on some level, in part, due to his Asperger's Syndrome.

When Freddie B. retired in 2016, he decided to combine his love of dogs and his "abilities" to communicate with them by becoming a volunteer at his local animal shelter.

Since then, Freddie has volunteered thousands of hours of his time in various shelters, primarily working with extremely fearful shelter dogs and those with challenging behavior issues.

During the early part of the Northern California campfire disaster in Nov. 2018, Freddie B. volunteered nearly 100 hours at the emergency animal shelter in Chico, California helping care for several hundred rescued dogs, and was specifically assigned by staff to work with the most extremely fearful and traumatized dogs, including those referred to as “fear biters" when they quickly recognized his expertise and abilities with working with these types of dogs.

In addition to Fredde B’s shelter work, he has developed an expertise in rescuing elusive hard-to-catch stray dogs with a variety of rescue methods and tools, including the use of live taps. Freddie B. has successfully put that expertise to use dozens of times over the years by rescuing those stray dogs that most others could not catch or rescue.

Freddie B. can be found commenting on occasion that since his retirement, his life has literally, “Gone to the dogs.”

Aside from Freddie B’s shelter and rescue work, he cares for his five rescue dogs that he considers his family: Dutch, a chocolate lab rescued from the fires during the Northern California Campfire disaster, Lady, a black lab that Freddie B. fostered when she was found as a stray, then turned into a foster fail when no one came forward to claim her, Tiny, a senior Chihuahua that spent the first years of her life living on the streets with her homeless owner before he gave her up, and Tinkerbell and Trixie, two Chihuahua siblings who were strays for over a year in a rural area of Southern California before Fredde B. rescued them by the use of a trap, then became part of his pack when no one came forward to claim them.

Freddie B. has also been a certified positive reinforcement dog trainer for over 4 years (Freddie B. the Dog Teacher, L.L.C.) with his specialty being working with extremely fearful dogs and dogs with aggression issues and having a 5-star Google rating from his numerous past clients.

In Freddie B’s spare time; aside from his shelter volunteering, community stray dog assists, and dog training, he enjoys spending time with his canine pack consisting of rescues and fosters..

Freddie B. is also a professional photographer and has travelled the world for his photography, in addition to having conducted numerous shelter pet photoshoots in several shelters to help them get adopted - Fredde B. is currently an artist member of the Avenue West Gallery artist coop. in Spokane, Washington as a Fine Arts photographer,

BOARD MEMBER (SECRETARY)

Yvonne been involved in the national Dogs Playing for Life program since 2019, which involved special training and resulted in implementing the program successfully at two animal shelters in Spokane. In 2020, Yvonne received a Mentorship certificate after attending the Longmont Humane Society week-long program in Colorado.

Additionally, Yvonne worked at The Boeing Company for 25 years in public relations and communications with her last position as the Director of Communications of Boeing Commercial Airplane Programs. Yvone brings these valuable skills and experience to Freddie B’s Furry Friend Rescue as a vitally important board member Yvonne will help determine the rescue’s overall strategic direction, and she will specifically help implement communications strategies to reach donors and supporters as we grow the rescue.

Yvonne has supported and believed in Freddie B’s vision of Furry B’s Furry Friends for years and when she was asked to join the team for the newly formed non-profit, she did not hesitate.

“If we don’t advocate for these dogs in need, then who will? Canine companions give us unconditional and constant love and I believe we owe them safety, good health and a second chance when they find their world has been rocked. Supporting a rescue like this makes me feel I am part of doing important work because I am contributing to improving the life of vulnerable dogs.” - Yvonne Leach.

In Yvonne’s spare time, enjoys Yoga, hiking, traveling, and writing poetry - in Fall of 2023, Yvonne’s second collection of Poetry, “In the Spaces Between Us” was released by Kelsay Books.

BOARD MEMBER / RESCUE OPERATIONS ADVISOR

Brenda has been a volunteer and animal advocate since she started as a dog walker at a local shelter in 2005.

At about the same time, Brenda joined HEART (Humane Evacuation Animal Rescue Team), a local Spokane county animal rescue team and is currently the Vice President.

Brenda was trained in two different systems of canine temperament testing/aggression assessments and did that for years, completing hundreds of assessments.

Brenda is also trained and currently active in the DPFL (Dogs Playing for Life) shelter program where she volunteers her time with other DPFL volunteers to enhance the lives of shelter dogs and to help assist in their timely adoptions.

Brenda has traveled nationally, and once internationally, with American Humane, the ASPCA, and IFAW to assist with dog fighting busts, failed sanctuaries, illegal puppy mills, and natural disasters.

Brenda has deployed locally with the Spokane county animal control agency and the Department of Emergency Management to assist with natural disasters and animal cruelty cases.

Brenda has also had the good fortune to train with some of the top dog trainers in the world such as Sue Sternberg, Nicole Wilde, Terry Ryan, and Carol Burns, in addition to spending nearly a month in India in a class with top British trainer, behaviorist, and author John Rogerson.

Brenda is a retired firefighter from the City of Spokane and her 26 years of service has given her the skillset to manage emergency situations, think quickly, and work hard under less-than-ideal circumstances; all of which have been useful in animal rescue.

Brenda had this to say about animal welfare:

“We must be the voice for the innocent animals that have no voice. We need to be able to stand up for them and protect them. They enhance our lives and deserve safe, comfortable, healthy homes. I intend to use the experience of the last nearly 20 years to assist Freddie B's Furry Friends Rescue to continue to advocate and assist animals in need.”

In Brenda’s spare time, she enjoys weightlifting, hiking, outdoor cycling, and time with her own pets.

WILDLIFE / ANIMAL & WILDLIFE TRAPPING SPECIALIST

Janice brings to the team much invaluable experience, expertise, and just as important, crucial passion, commitment, and the belief in the mission of Freddie B's Furry Friend's Rescue.

Janice has been training dogs for many years, was an animal control officer, an animal shelter manager, wildlife rehabilitator, and a humane-live wildlife trapper and lost pet trapper with her own non-profit company for 21 years.

Janice is currently a volunteer with HEART Spokane (Humane Emergency Animal Rescue Team), a volunteer at SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. in the DPFL program (Dogs Playing for Life) and in the cat spay/neuter clinic, a volunteer with Wolf People of Cocolalla, and a volunteer with a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Spokane Valley.

Janice's passion is to help other people and pets in need and spend time with her own dogs at her home, where they run on a 1/2 acre and live their best lives.

TEMPORARY FOSTER

Hi my name is Katie but I go by Kate. I love everything about working with animals. They’re my greatest passion, whether they are big or small. You'll usually find me pulled over the moment I see a lost or stray dog. I'm always seeing what I can do to get them safe. 

Once I started working in a kennel setting it only continued to grow. Always wanting to learn more and grow, I took classes for vet assisting. I wanted to learn the basics and to be better at what I was doing at the time.

My original goal was to be a veterinarian, I wanted to help every animal I could throughout my life. Once I got hired at a training facility, I was hooked. I saw how much I could impact dogs staying in a forever home. Helping them stay in homes and out of shelters by assisting families with the training process was the best part of the job. Being the overachiever I am, I took classes outside of what I was learning on the job at a board and train facility. 

As a part of the curriculum, I helped in a local Oklahoma Rescue. I enjoyed helping take care of the animals and seeing their success stories. It didn't matter if I was doing laundry, feeding, cleaning or loving on and walking them. I knew I was making a difference, and it made me happy. 

My belief is that every pet can be saved and that every pet can learn and grow. Each pet is as unique as you and I. They deserve the world and anyway I can help them experience the best parts is reward enough. 

RESCUE/TRAPPING REQUEST LIASON

Hello! I'm Amy, and I am passionate about animal rescue and care. My journey in the rescue community began when I adopted my pup, Willie, from a euthanasia list in Texas. This experience opened my eyes to the urgent need for support in animal welfare, and I became inspired to give back. I have volunteered with local rescues in Spokane and Colville, providing short-term fostering for long-term foster. I recently led an operation to trap and spay/neuter cats from a local colony, with the goal of rehoming them.  As you can see I am just getting started!

Through social media, I connected with Freddie’s Furry Friends after witnessing the plight of Ms. Moffat and Rocky, who were dumped on our road. I took on the role of spokesperson, working with neighbors to facilitate communication and support Freddie’s team in bringing them to safety. I am dedicated to helping others who find themselves in similar situations.

My professional background in logistics and communication has been invaluable in my volunteer efforts. I bring strong organizational skills and a keen ability to coordinate resources, ensuring that rescue operations run smoothly and effectively. My experience in managing teams and communicating across departments allows me to collaborate efficiently with fellow volunteers and community members. My goal is to advocate for animals in need and raise awareness about rescue efforts, facilitating better outreach and support.

My family shares my passion for volunteering—my husband and two daughters are actively involved in all of the volunteer efforts! In my free time, we love to spend quality moments to camping and boating with our fur babies, creating cherished memories outdoors.

I'm excited to be a part of the rescue community and look forward to making a positive impact on the lives of animals in need!

BLOGGER/ PHOTOGRAPHER / VIDEOGRAPHER / CONTENT CREATOR

A 5-week-old puppy came into my life on January 6th, 2021. I named her “Dharma” because I knew she was my “path to enlightenment”, I just didn’t know where she would take me.

As she became an adolescent, everything Dharma learned seemed to fly out the window. I was reading and researching dog behavior like a mad woman, trying to find some “one size fits all” solution to our problems. I started by reading books on dog training and psychology. When I ran out of available library books, I fell down a YouTube rabbit hole and discovered a plethora of dog trainers trying to grow their businesses.

I was just trying to learn about dog body language; I didn’t agree with everyone’s theory or training method, but  it opened my eyes to the world of digital marketing. I returned to college for a degree with the hope that I would work with a business that works with dogs. Dog trainers, doggy daycare centers, pet stores, and groomers use digital marketing to grow their businesses, and I could continue gaining experience with dogs and observing dog behavior.

In 2022, Dharma became heavily interested in something in the bushes. Upon closer inspection It became clear why: A dog had eaten (and passed) a plastic shopping bag. My heart sank: the dog who ate it must have been starving, not unlike its human probably holding that infamous cardboard sign.

Not long after, I was waiting in line at a chain pet store when an older woman entered, empty shopping bags in hand, and asked to use the restroom. When she was out of sight, she filled a bag with prescription cat food then ran out of the store; an employee chasing closely behind and several customers voicing their disgust for “those homeless people”.  I was looking down at the dog food in my own shopping cart, thinking about the woman needing help, not criticism, and wishing I could afford to just buy her the cat food when it hit me: Dog training is expensive too!  If someone barely has the money to buy food, they’re not spending money on dog training, even if their dog really needs it, and “what happens to badly behaved dogs that people can’t afford!?”  

I took this idea and ran with it, signing up to volunteer at our local shelters and using  Dharma’s Kitchen as the “business” for all my college projects.

I graduated from the Community Colleges of Spokane with an associate’s degree in digital marketing.  Today, Dharma’s Kitchen is the website/blog/social media account that I use to learn and practice my skills.  It’s my sincere hope that someday Dharma’s Kitchen can be a resource for low-income families in our area, so I was overjoyed when I learned about Freddie B’s Furry Friends Rescue.

I am excited for the opportunity to learn from Freddie B and his experienced team of animal rescuers. You won’t find a more dedicated group of people and I am honored to be here.