In February '24, I became a 501(c)(3) rescue that opened the door for me to help animals in need so much more. FREDDIE B. - FOUNDER/PRESIDENT/RESCUE OPERATIONS LEAD
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. 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. 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. 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.. 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 MEMBERS:
YVONNE LEACH - 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. BRENDA WRIGHT - 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.
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