Carol Fortin, of Manchester, a volunteer for Operation Delta Dog, tends to sales of doggie bandanas emblazoned with an Operation Delta Dog logo. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

AMHERST – A registered 235 Golden Retrievers frolicked, or not, on the Amherst Town Green at Main Street during the afternoon of Oct. 25 when they were drawn, along with 375 of their human best friends, to the eighth annual Goldens On The Green (GOTG).

The Goldens On The Green event is a yearly fundraiser for Operation Delta Dog (ODD) in Hollis, a nonprofit whose professionals train rescued shelter dogs to become attentive service dogs for veterans with a variety of needs.

Organizer Bill Swift, an Amherst resident, recently announced that $2,550 in donations for ODD was raised during the afternoon event.

“Goldens On The Green exemplifies small-town New England at its best — that’s when people gather together to celebrate a beautiful fall day with their dog, family and friends,” said Swift.

“Since everyone is here helping veterans, it’s a feel-good day, for sure,” he added.

Welcoming some dog lovers under a shaded canopy are Operation Delta Dog volunteers, from left, Jim Kruglak, of Nashua, N. Stankiewicz, of Tyngsborough, Lori DeMambro, of Milford, and Riley Stewart, of Merrimack, supporting the event that is the eighth annual Goldens On The Green fundraiser. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Doggie games and a fashion show on a grassy runway drew applause. A canine version of Simon Says drew some befuddled amongst the more obedient of the Goldens.

An awards ceremony heralded Oldest Dog, Youngest Dog, Service / Therapy Dog, and Furthest Traveled.

The day’s grand finale was a “Parade of Goldens,” a promenade of 140 dogs and their handlers. Many leash holders and their dogs sported costumes worn for the fashion show.

Parade people stepped to the beats of the tune, “Who Let the Dogs Out.” It boomed from a donated Bose speaker system.

Operation Delta Dog notes in its literature that it aims to alleviate veteran suicide rates by rescuing homeless dogs and training them to be psychiatric service dogs for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and military sexual trauma (MST).”

Kim Jarry and Adam Yusuf, foreground, residents of Merrimack, prepare to win the GOTG doggie fashion show with "Cooper," their canine T-Rex whose skeleton helmet impressed a majority of voters at the benefit for Operation Delta Dog, an organization staffed by professional trainers of shelter dogs as service dogs for veterans with a variety of psychological, emotional or physical needs. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Riley Stewart, ODD communications director, commended organizer Bill Swift and the generosity of all involved at the Goldens On The Green event, supporters who made the day one of compassion and purpose.

“Today was a day filled with wagging tails and the opportunity to not only give rescue dogs a second chance but to bring renewed hope, healing, and independence to veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country,” Stewart said.

Swift thanked local sponsors, attendees, show registrants and event backers for once again bringing joy and friendship to the eighth annual Goldens On The Green. See Facebook for a multitude of additional photos.

More information on Operation Delta Dog, 19G Clinton Drive in Hollis, is available online at info@operationdeltadog.org.

Lillian Keenan, of Amherst, leads her dog, Dexter, fur flying as he bounds through one of the doggie obstacle course hurdles offered among other canine games at the most recent Goldens On The Green. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Goldens On The Green event organizer Bill Swift, an Amherst resident, extended thanks to 375 participants who, along with their registered 235 Golden Retrievers, attended the eighth annual Goldens On The Green fundraiser for Operation Delta Dog, a nonprofit based in Hollis that is dedicated to training rescued shelter dogs from several states to be disciplined service dogs for veterans in need of a diverse range of assistance depending on the veteran's physical, emotional and mental needs. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Among the contenders in the Goldens On The Green doggie fashion show are these friends, JoAnn Whelan, left, a resident of Belmont, who entered her dog, "Bliss," into the competition, and Candace Rogers, of Gilford, who added her dog, "Millie," to the festivities. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Family dog event supporters and siblings attending the GOTG in some high-style apparel includes sisters and a brother, from left, Mindy Rensalear, of Exeter, with a fashion statement, "I'm the youngest - the rules don't apply to me," Bill Lawson, of Amherst, whose shirt declares, "I'm the middle - I'm the reason we had rules," and Martha Reber, of Franklin, Tenn., whose print notes, "I'm the oldest, I make the rules." Photo by LORETTA JACKSON