🐶 $88K Raised for Canine Companions

Between industry panels and networking sessions at the NADA Show 2025, a different kind of business was taking place.

At OPENLANE’s annual charity auction, a Masters Golf Tournament package went up for bid, ultimately bringing in $88,335 for the NADA Foundation’s Frank E. McCarthy Memorial Program which supports Canine Companions.

The nonprofit provides expertly trained service dogs to people with disabilities, free of charge—a mission that has been backed by NADA for over two decades.

Four-Legged Lifelines

For the recipients of Canine Companions' service dogs, these pups aren’t just pets—they’re independence on a leash.

Amanda Richardson, a program graduate, took the stage with her service dog, Glamour, to share how her canine companion has changed her life. From hauling laundry baskets to fetching dropped phones, Glamour doesn’t just sit and stay—she stands by her human, every step of the way.

“She gives me independence, confidence, and, honestly, hope,” Richardson told the crowd.

These dogs go through nearly two years of training, learning over 45 commands before being matched with someone who needs their help. And thanks to fundraising efforts like the OPENLANE auction, each dog is placed at no cost to its human—because freedom shouldn’t come with a price tag.

A Tail-Wagging Tradition

This year marks 21 years of partnership between NADA Foundation and Canine Companions, with more than $1.5M raised since 2004. OPENLANE alone has fetched over $1.1M in 14 years, helping to place service dogs with veterans and individuals with disabilities nationwide.

And the momentum isn’t slowing down. As the event wrapped, organizers already had their eyes on next year’s fundraising goal—because when it comes to changing lives, this mission is best in show.

Want to help Canine Companions yourself? Click here to learn more about donating, volunteering, or raising a future service dog.