April 2022
A Dream Takes Flight Hope for Ukraine’s Deaf Refugees Edmond Arts Festival Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road
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Remember “do-overs?” Those times when you were out on the playground playing kickball and you missed the kick - you call a do-over. Then you argue with the opposing team about the validity of said: “do-over.” Well, I’ve been out in the playground of love and marriage - I’ve been hearing about a do-over for a couple of years now. The do-over of our wedding pictures. No opposing argument here. A few years ago Alison and I tied the knot in Maui on Makena Cove at sunset. It was a truly amazing afternoon and evening. But you wouldn’t know that from our wedding pics. From the photos, you’d assume that I was marrying one of two women, Alison or the lady officiating the wedding - she photobombed nearly every picture especially the ones we liked. She was nice enough, and I’m sure what she performed was a legal ceremony, but could she have taken a step back? Maybe booked her own photo session after ours? So Alison and I are off to Maui, more specifically, Makena Cove - again in a few weeks. Time to fit into our casual beachy wedding wardrobes and give it another try. And hopefully for a do-over done right.
Dave Miller Publisher & Back40 Design President
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Features 8
Edmond Arts Festival
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Crockstar Dinner Club
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Little Loper’s Beautiful Bows
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A Dream Takes Flight
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Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road
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Hope for Ukraine’s Deaf Refugees
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Saving Lives at Ground Zero
Business 22
The Daily Shredd
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OK ER & Hospital
Columns 7
In Other Words with Dave
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Louise Tucker Jones
Cover photography by sundancephotographyokc.com
ADVERTISING l 405-301-3926 l sales@edmondoutlook.com MAILED MONTHLY TO OVER 50,000 HOMES IN THE EDMOND AREA 1024 W Covell, Edmond, OK 73003 l 405-341-5599 l edmondoutlook.com l info@edmondoutlook.com April 2022 Volume 18, Number 4
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© 2022 Back40 Design, Inc.
PUBLISHER Dave Miller l EDITOR Amber Plaksin l ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Angie Clemens Byers l GRAPHIC DESIGN Anne Richardson PHOTOGRAPHY Marshall Hawkins sundancephotographyokc.com l DISTRIBUTION Edmond Outlook is delivered FREE by direct-mail to over 50,000 Edmond area homes. Articles and advertisements in the Outlook do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the magazine or Back40 Design. Back40 Design does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The acceptance of advertising by the Outlook does not constitute endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service that is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The Outlook assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.
FEATURELOOK
Michael “Shep” Walker
Sharon Sudduth
Emily Brooks Edmunds
Steve Coburn
Edmond Arts Festival
Just a small sample of artists that will be at the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival this year
Friday, April 29 - Sunday, May 1
The Downtown Edmond Arts Festival is a celebration of art and culture in the heart of downtown. Over 140 artists exhibit their works, including booths filled with paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, and more. The artwork can be purchased or admired-there’s no wrong way to enjoy this event. You’ll get your fill on delicious food while enjoying live musical entertainment and activities designed for families. The festival takes place Friday, April 29th, and Saturday, April 30th, from 10 a.m. to dusk, and Sunday, May 1st, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free to attend, encouraging locals and out-of-towners to celebrate the community’s local flavor that the Edmond Arts Festival offers. To learn more, go to downtownedmondok.com.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday - April 29th 9:30a 10:00a 7:00p 8:00p 8:30p
Shuttle service starts at UCO Arts Festival opens Edgar Cruz and the Brave Amigos concert on Festival Marketplace Stage Arts Festival closes shuttle service ends
Saturday - April 30th 9:30a 10:00a 7:00p 8:00p 8:30p
Shuttle service starts at UCO Arts Festival opens Shortt Dogg concert on Festival Marketplace Stage Arts Festival closes Shuttle service ends
Sunday - May 1st 10:30a 11:00a 5:00p 5:30p
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Shuttle service starts at UCO Arts Festival opens Arts Festival closes Shuttle Service Ends
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FOODLOOK
Owners Brittany and Jonathan Cramer
Crockstar Dinner Club By Laura Beam
If you thought crockpot cooking got left behind in the 70s with your mom’s pot roast, you’ll love discovering all the exciting new talents this one-pot wonder is bringing to today’s food scene! In the mood for fajitas, Italian meatballs, pork chops, or peanut butter fudge cake? Thanks to Crockstar Dinner Club’s genius little ingredient packets, all you have to do is toss in the meat or other items, add the ingredient packet and let the crockpot work its magic. Then at the end of a long day, you come home to effortless comfort food ready for the family to devour. It really is that simple but it tastes as if you went all out with some elaborate recipe. It truly takes the ease of crockpot cooking to the next level by eliminating prep time. Brilliant! Putting it all on the table Owners Brittany and Jonathan Cramer created Crockstar from their home in 2016 with the goal of helping other busy families with mealtime. “I was a stay-at-home mom with four children in many different activities and we struggled to eat together as a family,” Brittany recalls. “Jonathan and I were too tired to cook at the end of the day so I started crock potting. If it didn’t go in the crockpot, I didn’t cook it.” Now expanded to four metro locations, Crockstar’s shipping and fundraising sides of the business are booming as well. “We have shipped to all 50 states and three countries,” 10
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Brittany says, “and our products are also carried in boutiques in Oklahoma and other states.” Of the more than 300 recipes available, Brittany has created about 290 of them. Who knew the humble crockpot could serve up such variety?! And these aren’t simple recipes. From the test kitchen and store in SW OKC, the staff cooks and tries the recipes numerous times before officially giving them the Crockstar label. What’s cooking? You’ll rarely be in one of their stores without seeing multiple customers buy the Baked Potato Soup. There must be something magic in that packet, like the dry chicken powder and special spice blend, because it is consistently a top seller. It only gets better when you add a little bacon, cheese, and chives to the top. Another favorite is the Thunder Chicken. “It’s a creamy Ranch chicken that explodes with flavor like the Thunder explodes on the court,” Brittany laughs. Rounding out the top three selections is the Dill Pickle Pot Roast. For real! It may sound odd, but the acidity tenderizes the meat, and the tangy kick amps up the flavor in the most unexpectedly delicious way. Another must-try is the Chicken & Bacon with Gravy. You won’t believe gravy that good can come from a packet. Even picky gravy people will fall in love with this one. Every month, Crockstar features 10-15 different freezer meal packets with the liquid and spices combined for even faster preparation. Crockstar also offers many Keto, low-carb, soy-free, and dairy-free options, and 90% of their meals are gluten-free. The crockpot desserts, dips, and appetizers make great party foods too! Stop by the Edmond location at 2424 NW 150th St. or visit crockstardinnerclub.com. For the entire month of April, Crockstar is giving 10% of all sales at the Edmond location to Edmond Public Schools.
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FEATURELOOK
Owners Ron and Valeria Loper with their four daughters: Sophia, Nassaya, Ronnie, and Gabby
Little Loper’s
A Business of Big Bows By Maria Veres
Ron and Valeria Loper specialize in smiles. Their Edmondbased online business, Little Loper’s, offers adorable fabric bows and other clothing items that bring joy to families across the country. Customers also find joy, support, and friendship through Little Loper’s thriving 60,000-member Facebook group. An Unexpected Success Story The Lopers never planned to run a clothing business. Their journey started when Valeria began making fabric bows for her daughters and gave a few extra to friends, who shared about them on Facebook. More moms asked to buy bows, and the business grew from there. At first, Valeria hand-delivered the bows herself, often meeting customers in local stores or parking lots. Today sales and shipping are coordinated online, both Lopers work full time in the business, and they’ve expanded to include clothing for girls and moms. But they remain committed to providing a personal touch and crafting products that are both high-quality and affordable. Moms Supporting Moms Being a mom can be tough. Valeria knows that from personal experience—she struggled with postpartum depression after one of her daughters was born. “I remember not wanting to get out of bed,” she says. Now she delights in supporting other moms through the Little Loper’s private Facebook group. Far more than a place to market products, it’s a safe, supportive space where moms can connect and 12
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encourage each other. “It’s just amazing to see the friendships that have come out of this group,” says Valeria. Members often trade, sell, or even give merchandise to other members. Valeria encourages this kind of sharing. “We have a saying about spreading the love and paying it forward,” she says. “People will often pass down their loved clothes or another item to other moms and their children, then they will regift, and this goes on and on. It’s so rewarding to see these women loving on each other.” Inspiring Big Dreams The Lopers’ four daughters—ages 11, 7, 5, and 2—are very much a part of the daily operations. They model the products and provide daily inspiration to their parents. “Their main contribution is the love and support I get from them. They are my biggest cheerleaders!” says Valeria. “We’ve never had a babysitter. They have spent every day with us since we started this and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Along with encouraging family closeness, the Lopers are also showing their children they can achieve their goals. Eleven-year-old Sophia recently told her mom, “It’s like there aren’t limits. You can accomplish whatever you want.” Moms in the Little Loper’s Facebook community have also been inspired to reach higher. One local customer began taking pictures of her daughter, fell in love with photography, and was recently featured in an OKC magazine. Many other members have also started businesses or taken steps to follow their dreams. The Lopers credit their success to the ongoing support from the people of Edmond and OKC. “I don’t know if we could have done this anywhere else,” says Ron. “Oklahoma is our home.” Running a business isn’t easy. But for Ron and Valeria, the joy of giving back to others makes all their hard work worthwhile. “One of the most rewarding parts is the chance to empower and help people,” says Valeria. “That’s what keeps me going.” To learn more, go to littlelopers.com.
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FEATURELOOK
A Dream Takes Flight By Maggie Murdock Nichols Clear skies and winds below 10 miles per hour are the only requirements for Jessica’s definition of a perfect Edmond day. If a hot air balloon is spotted soaring above our city, it is likely Ladybug. Jessica Freeman owns this balloon along with a miniature balloon, Little Dreamer. Jessica is a co-owner of Visionary Balloonworx. Ladybug is an aptly named bright red balloon that is 54,000 cubic feet with a basket that holds two people. Ladybug was Jessica’s first balloon and has been on hundreds of flights. Little Dreamer is a miniature balloon that is 3,000 cubic feet and its basket can hold a stuffed animal. This balloon is a great introduction for kids who may be overwhelmed by the noise and sound of a full-sized one. Their newest balloon, Visionary, is a balloon with a custom design that is a patchwork of vibrant colors. Visionary is ideal for private tours and “balloon glows”; its yellow and orange shine against the night sky. Rising by Lifting Others Jessica always dreamed of floating high above it all in a hot air balloon. Her first ride was over Lake Hefner. Once she was back on the ground, she couldn’t wait for the next opportunity to soar. Visionary’s owner is a certified private pilot and will soon complete his commercial license. Jessica is not far behind. Jessica says, “Steerage of the aircraft begins before your feet even leave the ground when determining the primary direction of the wind. From there wind speed in flight duration will determine the area you could potentially land.” When asked what their favorite landing spot is, Jessica laughs, “I don’t have one! I’ve never landed in the same spot twice. A clear and open field, ideally accessible by truck, is the only requirement.” Joy Flying High A “splash and dash” is a hot air balloon maneuver for the skilled pilot, it demonstrates the control needed to make the balloon rise and fall. Jessica tells a story of a splash and dash that alarmed onlookers, “They thought we were falling to the ground, but we were in total control.” Jessica is ten-plus years sober and compares her sobriety journey to a hot air balloon ride. “Fighting causes resistance, you just have to go with it,” Jessica adds that she experiences ultimate peace when she’s in the balloon. Jessica dreamt of sharing the experience with others and will begin offering tours and rides to the public through her company Visionary Balloonworx. The hot air balloons often draw a crowd. “Kids point and are delighted to see us wave back,” Jessica says. Visionary Balloonworx’s motto is “We Rise by Lifting Others”. She desires to bring the joy of hot air balloons to her Edmond community. To learn more visit Facebook @VisionaryBalloonworx. 14
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FEATURELOOK
By Amy Dee Stephens
Clackity, Clackity… Strum, Strum… Thump, Thump… Such non-glamourous sounds, and yet symbolic of the early lives of three local musicians: Kyle Dillingham, Peter Markes and Brent Saulsbury. Separately, they are significant musicians, but together, they form a band known as Kyle Dillingham and Horseshoe Road. They perform a blend of music that includes jazz, country, swing, gospel, rock and bluegrass, which they call Heartland Americana. Like all musicians, they fell into music in different ways, but it always began with sound. Clackity, Clackity…. The wheels of a skateboard traveling over concrete was a consistent sound in Kyle’s early life. He was determined to become a professional skateboarder. Kyle skated for six hours a day, not realizing that the long hours on the skateboard, plus his farm raising, would prepare him for the rigors of daily 12-hour violin practices in college. Now, he’s a highly-energetic performer and a Grand Ole Opry sensation who delighted audiences by skateboarding onto the stage while playing his violin. Strum, Strum…. Peter began string lessons at age four, with violin and guitar remaining his instruments of choice. When Peter eventually became the orchestra director at Edmond North High School for 15 years, his day was regulated by the ringing of a class bell, the chatter of teenagers and the sound of orchestra chairs scuffing across the stage. His skill at teaching students earned the notice of the school district, and in 2014, Peter was named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year. 18
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Thump, Thump…. Brent plays multiple musical instruments, but he’s an 80s rock-and-roller at heart. In elementary, he was banging out piano tunes in the wild style of Jerry Lee Lewis and taught himself jazz saxophone. High school, however, was when Brent succumbed to the irresistible wail and reverb of the electric guitar. Instead of strumming, he thumped at the strings like a bass. Now, he’s most often seen playing the upright bass. Clap, Clap, Cheer… Kyle, Peter and Brent maintain separate careers in music. Brent gives music lessons at Norman Music Institute and plays with the rock trio, Trifecta. Peter is now the Director of Music Education at Oklahoma City University but is also a songwriter, contest judge, and guest teacher. Kyle is Oklahoma’s Musical Ambassador, a solo performer, and composer of a wide array of music. In March, Kyle’s fiddle tune, Freedom Bells, was selected as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition! Together, they have a robust agenda of Horseshoe Road performances, which has taken them around the U.S. and to 41 different countries. They are known as America’s Musical Ambassadors, which is also the title of an upcoming exhibit about them at the Edmond History Museum, opening on April 30th. In addition to their first musical instruments, tour items, and early recordings, Kyle, Peter, and Brent have loaned their elaborate performance clothing, designed by Manuel Cuevas, the man who put Johnny Cash in black. As performers, these men can woo audiences with harmony and then thrill them with fast-fiddlin’ showmanship. Their careers continue to grow, reaching international audiences and earning the acclaim of artists such as Toby Keith, Roy Clark, Vince Gill, Lee Greenwood, The Oak Ridge Boys, and The Charlie Daniels Band. Like all musicians, their vast musical repertoire is a result of practice and discipline. Those first sounds, the Clackity, Clackity… Strum, Strum… Thump, Thump… were foundational, but now, if energy had a sound, it would define their music. To learn more, go to kyledillingham.us. photo by Tim Dillingham
The Sound of Heartland Americana
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A crowd of people, coming by foot, at the border of Moldova and Ukraine waiting to pass
Photos submitted by Becky Woodall
FEATURELOOK
The Woodall Foundation’s team providing groceries to a Deaf family as they leave for Romania
Hope for Ukraine’s Deaf Refugees By Amy Dee Stephens When Becky and Daniel Woodall began their non-profit foundation for deaf people in 2014, they never expected war relief to become their focus. Their efforts, however, are helping hundreds of deaf refugees from Ukraine to navigate and survive evacuation. “The deaf are typically last in line to get information, especially in smaller villages,” Becky said. “We spoke to a couple who knew nothing of the war until they felt the earth’s vibrations. They thought it was an earthquake, but then they saw people running because a nearby city had been bombed. So, they ran too; they literally left with the clothes on their back. And we’re hearing story after story like this.” Becky and Daniel are both interpreters for the deaf. Daniel grew up with deaf parents, and Becky became involved with the deaf community while participating in several summer mission trips with her church. Each year they traveled to a small, independent country called Moldova, which is a strip of land about the size of New Jersey, located between Ukraine and Romania, known for producing wine and sunflower seed products. When Becky and Daniel married, they felt a calling to stay connected with the deaf of Moldova. They formed the Woodall Foundation to support the physical and spiritual needs of the Moldovan deaf community. Every summer, the Woodalls return to help deaf individuals by going door-todoor to help those who might need food or healthcare. This year is different. They are raising funds and communicating from afar with their teammates, who are suddenly inundated with hundreds of thousands of people 20
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fleeing through their country. The Woodalls receive daily reports of car lines 25 miles long at the border and families with children walking two days through the snow. The deaf individuals in the care of the Woodall Foundation have been fortunate to stay with church families who have opened their homes to the ever-steady stream of people. “Since Moldova is not a European country, there’s no welfare system in place, so people spend a night and figure out their plan to keep traveling west. Our foundation is helping provide clothes and diapers, make family phone calls, and arrange transportation for the deaf people as they travel through,” Becky said. “Deaf men are not considered able-bodied, so they can cross over with their families, whereas other men ages 18-60 are having to kiss their wives and children goodbye at the border. I think it’s really hard for Americans to relate—but these stories are real, and they are happening right now,” Becky said. Becky’s team predicts that the flow of people through Moldova will not end soon. Many refugees say that if the war ends and their territory does not get taken, they will return. “We will help them through that time, too,” Becky said. “I wish I could be there to help, but we’re so blessed to already have a team of faithful Moldovans there, ready to assist these people with humanitarian aid. Moldova may seem far away from Oklahoma, but the Woodall Foundation already has a history and a connection with that country.” To learn more or make a donation, visit Facebook @WoodallFoundation.
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BIZLOOK
The Daily Shredd By Maria Veres
If you love skating, you already know the challenges of finding a good place to practice. While the Metro area boasts a number of great outdoor skate parks, they are not always weather dependent or safe for young riders. The Daily Shredd offers an inviting 12,000 square foot indoor space where skaters can enjoy their sport year-round. Great Skating for Everyone Located in NW OKC, The Daily Shredd is perfect for skateboarding, roller skating, and inline skating. “Our ramps are smooth like butter, made from a
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surface called Gator Skin,” says Elena Sparks who co-owns the park with her husband Tyler. The park has public skates as well as sessions for special groups, including roller derby, inline skating, and more. Queen Night is a gathering for female skaters of all ages as well as a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth. The Old Timers session welcomes anyone who wants to dust off their skills. On Monday evenings The Daily Shredd donates use of the entire facility to Forgiven Sk8 Church, open to skaters and non-skaters alike— no fancy church clothes required. Building a Dream Having grown up a skater himself, Tyler Sparks always wished for a facility like The Daily Shredd. A fun spot where he and his friends could skate, play games while taking a break, stock up on all skating necessities, and be away from the weather. He and Elena had tremendous support from the skating community in making their vision a reality. The park opened in late 2021. The Sparks partner with OKC Skateboard Lessons—a team that has
been teaching lessons to Metro skaters of all ages and skill levels for many years. The park also hosts kids` camps and birthday parties and includes a wellstocked pro shop. “We want to give our community a safe, supervised, clean place to skate,” says Elena. “Our goal is to invite everyone.” The Daily Shredd is located at 200 NW 142nd Street and online at www.dailyshreddokc.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for specials and discounts.
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BIZLOOK
Oklahoma ER and Hospital By Maria Veres
When Oklahoma’s first micro hospital opened in early 2019, nobody imagined what lay ahead. Oklahoma ER and Hospital has risen to the challenge, providing high-quality care with low wait times for patients across the metro area and beyond.
Patients can schedule imaging and other testing after hours so they won’t miss work. All patients receive care in comfortable private rooms. If a patient requires surgery, it’s scheduled immediately at the hospital that best meets the patient’s needs. Diagnosis, transport, and surgery often happen in an hour or less. The hospital is one of only three sites in Oklahoma where new mothers can receive Zulresso, an innovative IV treatment for postpartum depression.
Invested in Our Community Oklahoma ER & Hospital is physician owned and operated. The owners are the same doctors who will see you when you come for treatment.” Expert Care and Low Wait Times Along with providing first-quality Oklahoma ER and Hospital has all the medical care, the hospital gives back facilities and equipment of a full-sized to the community in many ways, from hospital, including a kitchen, a lab, and school athletic team sponsorships to imaging equipment. It provides ER, Halloween Trunk-or-Treat events. They inpatient and outpatient care 24/7, and it accept most major insurance providers is fully staffed by physicians at all times. and also offer competitive cash pricing.
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Dr. Plaxico and Dr. Lee
“I wish to thank the community for their support. The pandemic has allowed us to help more people than we thought would be possible in a year’s time. I am truly blessed to be part of a great hospital with exceptional staff and the best community members.” says Dr. Mark Blubaugh. Oklahoma ER and Hospital is located at 15103 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Edmond, and online at okerhospital.com.
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ALOOKBACK
Jay’s Birthday Celebrations! By Louise Tucker Jones
April is my son, Jay’s birthday month. We’ve had lots of celebrations through the years—45 to be exact. Being as Jay has Down syndrome and severe heart disease, which could not be repaired, doctors told us he would probably never live into his teens so we tried to make every day special, especially birthdays. And thankfully, doctors were wrong. When Jay was young, he always had a fun birthday party at school then came home to a celebration with our family. As he grew older, family celebrations became even more important. Feeling like we hit the miracle mark on his 21st birthday, we had a huge party and even visited with Jay’s cardiologist, who admitted he never expected to see that milestone. When Jay turned thirty we decided another big birthday bash was in order and asked Jay how he wanted to celebrate. His request shocked his dad and me. Jay’s favorite thing at that time was a daily trip to Sonic for a Coke. And for his 30 th birthday, he wanted a limousine to pick him up and take him to Sonic for that Coke. He got it! Talk about fun. When the limo pulled up, Jay was ecstatic and as the driver rounded the Sonic drive-thru lane, Jay called out his order as if he had been raised in the lap of luxury. What a moment! After his trip to Sonic, Jay took a special ride with his brother, Aaron, and then was ready to stay home and open presents. However, we had the limousine rented for a few hours so all the guests got a ride. One group would pile into the limo and ride around for a while then the next group hopped in for a fun neighborhood tour. It was like a pony ride with everyone at the party getting a “limo treat.” 26
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Another one of Jay’s birthday parties took us to Tulsa while others took us to Arkansas, where Aaron lives. It was there that Jay ended up at a concert where the band sang “Happy Birthday” to him. He loved it! Then there was the year that he had triple parties in three different locations. Jay has definitely had some fun birthday parties, but the pandemic slowed celebrations and in the last few years, he has had some major health issues, even being in the ER last year on his birthday. So what will we do this year? Haven’t figured that out yet, but we will definitely celebrate. Whether it’s at home or away or simply doing FaceTime with Aaron’s family, Jay will party!
As for me, I count every day with Jay a miracle! I thank God daily for this precious son who makes me smile, laugh and enjoy life. Jay’s unconditional love for others amazes me and his perseverance inspires me. He sings and dances to the Lord daily while throwing kisses to his daddy in heaven. What a gift! Happy Birthday, my sweet son! Love you more than you know!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Louise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker & founder of Wives With Heavenly Husbands, a support group for widows. LouiseTJ@cox.net or LouiseTuckerJones.com.
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FEATURELOOK FEATURELOOK
Saving Lives at Ground Zero By Maria Veres When disaster strikes, search-and-rescue canines play a vital role. They can accomplish in minutes what might take hours or days for humans to work alone. There’s a shortage of trained canine-handler pairs, but Barry and Becky Switzer are working to change that through their nonprofit Ground Zero Emergency Training Center. Prepared for Anything Ground Zero is the culmination of a longstanding dream for the Switzers. They first realized the vital role of searchand-rescue canines after the Murrah bombing and 9/11. They were spurred into action after the 2013 Moore tornado, where canines made a dramatic difference in recovery efforts. “That’s when I said, ‘We have to do this,’” recalls Becky. After extensive research and planning, Ground Zero opened in 2017. The organization has a 60-acre training campus in Tuttle and several full-time staff members. They train teams from all across the country, but their main goal is to serve Oklahoma. “Our primary focus is training canines for Oklahoma Task Force-1 handlers, ensuring our state is ready for the unimaginable,” says Becky. Raising Heroes Ground Zero begins working with puppies when they’re just three days old. Trainers screen pups to see which ones have the keenest noses and the best temperaments for the job. The canines learn to work in noisy high-stress environments, navigate obstacles, and stay focused no matter what the distractions. After twelve to eighteen months, they’re matched with a handler. 30
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Handlers complete a demanding two-week training course at Ground Zero and are never assigned a canine until they’re ready. Canine-handler pairs are carefully matched, and often the dogs take matters into their own paws, choosing the humans they want to bond with. Canine and handler become an official team with a “Passing of the Leash” ceremony that includes everyone who’s been involved in the training. “It’s very moving,” says Becky. “The first time I saw one, I had tears rolling down my face.” Ground Zero retains ownership of the canines, monitoring them to ensure they get the best care and training. If handlers can’t care for them after retirement, Ground Zero finds adoptive homes for them. “We love our canines and are committed to caring for them their whole lives,” says Becky. How to Get Involved Ground Zero’s next special event will be a football-themed fundraiser, “Dinner on the Fifty,” on June 18. Guests will enjoy cocktails at the Switzer Center and a close-up look at other areas of the Gaylord Stadium, including a walk through the tunnel onto the field. Dogs will be on hand to welcome the guests. It’s a casual dress event, with an elegant dinner, live music, and dancing on the football field. “It’ll be an experience like no other,” says Becky. Ground Zero also needs foster families that qualify to care for pups on weekends. “We require fosters to take classes with us to know the dos and don’ts for the pups assigned to them,” says Becky. “Fosters are fantastic; they give our young pups the experience of being off-campus, learning socialization skills, and some fun downtime from training.” All foster families and other volunteers must complete screenings, background checks, and intensive training. Ground Zero has placed 46 canines so far, with 25 more in training. Whatever the need, their mission is to ensure Oklahoma is prepared. To learn more, go to groundzerosaveslives.com.
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1024 W Covell Rd., Edmond, OK 73003
