Support local service dogs this Tuesday evening.
WAK-9 Service Dogs, the Madras-based dog training and service animal organization, is hosting its annual Benefit Dinner on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Desert Inn in Madras.
The event is a fundraiser for WAK-9's service dog training programs, which provide trained service animals and obedience training to clients in Central Oregon and beyond. WAK-9 Training offers leash etiquette, basic obedience, and service animal programs, and has developed a local reputation for its work pairing service dogs with people who need them.
What's Included
The benefit dinner will feature:
- Silent auction — bid on a variety of donated items
- Ruff Land kennel raffle — a chance to win a high-quality kennel
- Firearms raffle — prizes include a 9mm handgun and an AR-style rifle
It's a family-friendly community event with a cause behind it. Dinner is the centerpiece, but the auction and raffles are part of the fun.
About WAK-9
WAK-9 Training is based in Madras and has been training dogs and their handlers in the Central Oregon region. The organization's service dog program helps individuals with disabilities gain independence through professionally trained canine partners — similar in mission to larger regional organizations like Assistance Dogs Northwest.
Service dog programs are expensive to operate. Breeding, veterinary care, specialized training, and the months-long bonding process required to properly place a service animal add up quickly. Community fundraisers like Tuesday's benefit dinner make a direct difference in the organization's capacity to train and place dogs.
How to Attend
The event is open to the public. Head to the Desert Inn in Madras on Tuesday, June 9, between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. No advance registration is required. For more information, visit wak9training.com.
It's a great opportunity to enjoy a meal, support a local cause, and maybe walk away with a raffle prize.