Arrow

Placement | May 2021

  

My trainers had to make the difficult decision to remove me from the service training program. While some are nervous for change, I'm excited for my future! My wonderful foster, Tyson, has decided to adopt me. I'm thankful I get to spend the rest of my days loving him!

Sponsor Announcement

Arrow Cole is named for his fosters, the Trunkhill family, love of archery sports and the symbolism of an arrow that states "every setback in life is just preparation to propel you forward toward something better" and Cole is short for Army Veteran and his foster Tyson's good friend Major Nichole Jensen who was a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa and commissioned through the ROTC program, who took her own life in June of 2018.

SDIT Arrow is sponsored by Xpedition Archery, which is a Bow and Archery equipment manufacturer based out of Decorah, Iowa. Tyson helped facilitate the sponsorship through his bow shop dealership contacts and friends at Xpedition Archery. XA has a strong commitment to supporting Veterans and recognized the natural link between Veterans, the outdoors and archery industry, and the benefits that service dogs provide to veterans in need.  It has become a near perfect partnership and the XA team members enjoy every visit he makes and progress reports on his training journey.

Arrow's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, I'm Arrow. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are "Lola" who is owned by Craig Strein and "Olaf" of RidgeView Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Tyson. 

Throughout Stage 1, I will learn the basics obedience, public behavior, and a lot of socialization. I understand that it takes a very special dog to complete the program as there is a high standard to become a Service Dog. I am aware that I may be one of the dogs whose purpose is outside of service work so I will be updating my profile on a monthly basis for all that would like to follow my journey through the program. 

"Arrow Cole, our 3rd RFI full time foster puppy. He's an 8 week old black lab. His name Arrow comes from the deep symbolism of an arrow and the struggles and successes that Veterans and families who are impacted by Autism face regularly. Also my passion for all things archery related. Cole, short for Nicole, a very good friend of mine from college who was a UNI ROTC graduate in my class, an Army combat Veteran, and beautiful soul. Even with all her successes in life, Major Nicole Jensen's, internal struggles that many Veterans face were too much for her and she took her own life in June 2018. It was a shock to me that one of the most vibrant people that I had ever know was gone too soon. She is laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Our hope for Arrow Cole is that he will grow to be a lifesaver and best friend for a Veteran or child with Autism." - Tyson, Arrow's puppy foster

October 2019 - 2 months old

   

It's been so fun getting to know my foster family. I'm beginning to learn basic obedience such as "sit," "down," and how to walk on a leash. I was able to attend a fundraiser at a pumpkin patch this month, which helped raise money for a veteran to donate toward the service dogs.

November 2019 - 3 months old

  

I have been busy traveling to hockey games, dressing up for Halloween and playing in the snow!

December 2019 - 4 months old

  

I love the holidays! Santa said I'm on the nice list, and my fosters agree. I practiced patience while my foster family opened Christmas gifts. I'm growing so much!

January 2020 - 5 months old 

  
I got to attend the ATA show in Indianapolis where my sister Sadie-Sue and I helped collect donations for RFI and raise awareness. I've also been attending lots of hockey games! I'm a pro at staying calm when things get loud and wild, and at navigating through crowded places.

February 2020 - 6 months old

  

This month I've been going to lots of volleyball tournaments with my fosters! I am staying calm when all the whistles are blowing, and I ignore the bouncing balls around me. As much as I want to play with them, I'm aware that I need to stay focused and in work-mode while my vest is on.

March 2020 - 7 months old

  

I can finally fit in my adult vest! It's the green one in the picture on the right. My foster has embroidered our sponsor on it - Xpedition Archery.

May 2020 - 9 months old

  

I have been visiting my sponsor a lot lately with my foster Tyson.

June 2020 - 10 months old

We went hiking this month! Hiking is a great way to socially distance while still training in public.

July 2020 - 11 months old

 

I've been visiting Retrieving Freedom for training sessions lately. The trainers are very impressed with how far I've come over the past several months! After I work hard in class, my fosters take me to the park to play and relax!

August 2020 - 1 year old!

  

I'm enjoying the final 'dog days of summer' before fall comes along. I like to hang out on the porch with Tyson when we aren't running errands or working!

Stage 2 Introduction

Wahoo!!!  I have officially been entered into stage 2 training, and I am so excited!  Over the past 8 months I have had the opportunity to see the RFI mission first hand, and can’t wait to dig deeper in the mission of changing lives through my training for veterans with disabilities and children with autism. During this Stage, I will work closely with the RFI professional training staff to solidify my understanding of intermediate tasks and the foundation of future commands to help mitigate a disability.  Follow me through this stage learning how I continue to make an impact! 

September 2020 - 13 months old

   

This month I had to say a difficult "see ya later" to the Trunkhill family. They taught me so much over the past year, but it's time I move on to the next phase of training. I'm so thankful I had them to start this journey alongside! Let's see what I can do in the second phase of training!

October 2020 - 14 months old

  

I was able to spend the weekend with Tyson! It was good to see him again. We visited Xpedition Archery, the company that sponsored my training.

November 2020 - 15 months old

     

When I'm not busy with my trainers at the facility, I go into weekend foster homes! This month I practiced my "place" command during Zoom meetings! One thing I struggle with is learning that not everything is a toy. In one weekend foster home, I thought dumbbells were a toy. I'm working on learning what is appropriate to play with!

December 2020 - 16 months old

I was excited to go home for a long weekend break over Thanksgiving with a wonderful weekend foster! I've been training hard with the professional training staff at the facility. I was definitely born to work!

January 2021 - 17 months old

I'm so excited to begin a day program this month at Citizens Against Spousal Abuse (CASA)! One day per week I'll head over to their campus and provide comfort to members of the program. It'll help my training, too! 

February 2021 - 18 months old

I continue to go to CASA once per week and work with the trainers at Retrieving Freedom. We make trips into public, where I behave perfectly!

March 2021 - 19 months old

    

I spent a weekend this month at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) with a student handler. I had so much fun! I was incredibly attentive to my handler and respectful in general, even when we came across strangers and their dogs. I continue to surprise new handlers at how well I listen in loud and distracting environments, but need to work on my impulse control when there are dog toys in the room. I tend to lunge for them when it's not an appropriate time to do so.