Dozens of golden retrievers, therapy dogs and service animals filled Draper Park on Saturday, Sept. 26, for a fundraiser supporting the nonprofit that trains and places them.

The Golden Gait Gathering, hosted by Utah nonprofit Golden Healers, ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park's west ball fields and south pavilion. The event raised awareness and funds for dogs that serve people with PTSD, mobility challenges, autism and mental health struggles, KUTV reported.

The gathering was open to everyone.

Activities included puppy yoga sessions, a SwiftPaws lure course, a red-carpet "Swagger Contest," a dog kissing booth, an obstacle course and paw-painted canvas art. Dogs bobbed for treats and dug through ball pits while their owners watched.

Golden Healers breeds, trains and places service and facility therapy dogs. The nonprofit also stations dogs in schools, hospitals, police stations, firehouses and EMS departments to help address staff burnout and trauma.

Training a single service dog takes 18 to 36 months and costs $40,000 to $60,000, according to Fox 13. Golden Healers aims to provide the dogs to qualified individuals and families at little to no cost.

Mike Carlson, founder and CEO of Golden Healers, started the organization after experiencing the effects of therapy dogs while dealing with a rare skin condition, financial hardship and severe depression. He attended the gathering with his 12-year-old dog Ace.

Carlson said he and Ace began visiting senior centers together years ago. "We just thought, 'this is awesome,'" he told ABC4 at Saturday's gathering.

Beyond the fundraiser, Golden Healers has been active across Utah this year. In June, the nonprofit brought certified therapy dogs to a wildfire base camp for firefighters battling the Iron and Cherry fires, KUTV reported.

The event page listed local sponsors including IFA Draper, Dogtown Pet Spa + Resort, Madison House Autism Foundation, the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Tail Wags Rescue.

Residents interested in Golden Healers' volunteer therapy dog team or service dog programs can visit goldenhealers.org.