Basalt's Endless Pawsibilities Raises Funds for Deaf Boy's Service Dog

A $500 ticket. One puppy. That’s the price of admission to help a deaf boy in Basalt navigate a world he can’t hear.

Endless Pawsibilities is hosting a "Paint Your Pet" event at The Art Base this Friday, April 10, to raise cash for its scholarship fund. The money isn’t just for general operations. It’s specifically for Otto, a 7-year-old local who just got a service dog candidate named Duke of Highlands.

Let’s look at the math. You pay $500. You get a canvas, supplies, instruction, dinner from San Ambrose and Heathers Savory Pies and Tapas Bar, and drinks from Of Grape & Grain. It’s a high-end party for pets. It’s also a direct line to the nonprofit’s bottom line.

Farrah Fry, the founder and head trainer, says they are ramping up fundraising because they have a new applicant who needs financial help. Otto’s family has wanted a service dog for him for a while. They were just waiting for the right moment.

That moment arrived via Bisque Jackson, owner of Aspen Veterinary Services. Jackson’s family got a puppy at a horse show. The timing was off for Jackson, but perfect for Otto. Fry evaluated the puppy. She determined he was "genetically bomb-proof." He’s eager to please. He’s human-focused. He has no temperamental red flags.

Fry introduced the puppy, now named Duke of Highlands, to Otto. It was a fit.

Duke lives with Otto’s family now. Endless Pawsibilities is teaching them how to raise and train him. The goal is specific. Duke will alert Otto to sounds he can’t hear. He’ll get Otto’s attention. He’ll provide deep pressure therapy to help with emotional regulation.

Katrina Gallant, Otto’s mom, says the dog bridges a gap. Otto relies on visual cues. He needs consistency. A dog like Duke helps him navigate environments more confidently. It connects him more deeply to the world around him.

The event is at the art gallery in Basalt. It runs from p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $500 per person.

It’s a simple transaction. You give the nonprofit money. They give you dinner and a painting. They use your money to train a dog that helps a kid in the valley hear the world.

There’s no hidden fee. There’s no complex bureaucracy to navigate. You show up. You paint. You pay. The nonprofit does the rest.

The cost of raising a service dog is high. The cost of this fundraiser is fixed. $500. It’s a steep entry fee for a casual event, but it’s a direct investment in a local family’s independence.

Otto is deaf. He needs visual alerts. He needs safety. He needs to know when the doorbell rings or when a car is coming. Duke provides that. The fundraiser covers the training and support costs.

The venue is The Art Base. The food is local. The dog is local. The need is local.

The bottom line is this: If you want to help Otto, you can donate. If you want to help Endless Pawsibilities keep training dogs for the Roaring Fork Valley, you can buy a ticket. It’s $500. It’s Friday night. It’s real money going to a real need.