Buck II

Placement | April 2021

 

Some people are nervous for change, but I'm excited for my future! Unfortunately I developed incontinence which removed me from the training program to become a service dog. Luckily, I was adopted by a loving family - Chad and Kim, and their children - and am looking forward to spending my days as a spoiled pet with them! Thank you to all who helped me get to this point!

Sponsor Announcement

Retrieving Freedom staff have been working closely with members of the Otter Creek Lions Club to help sponsor my training. They graciously donated toward a Puppy Head Start Sponsorship, which provided them the opportunity to give me my wonderful name! They chose my name to honor the memory of Jerry Elm. I want to thank the Otter Creek Lions Club from the bottom of my heart for their generosity toward my training. I hope to make them proud!!

Buck's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, I'm Buck. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are “Lane” and "Sage" from Texas Moonlite Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, a handler at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC). 

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.

September 2019 - 6 months old

 

I was pretty excited to spend the holiday weekend out of IMCC with my friend Lacie (right). We had so much fun! I was able to show off how much I've learned over the past few months with my handler at IMCC to the RFI trainers. 

December 2019 - 9 months old

 

On the left, I am showing off the command "down" with service dog, Victor (left) at a wrestling meet. On the right, I am learning how to have good manners from pro, Victor (left). Thank you to Jessica, who is able to get me out of IMCC for some weekend fun!

February 2020 - 11 months old

Here I am pictured as the King of the mountain! I am practicing my self control skills, while I watch my foster play basketball. It's more difficult than you'd imagine. There are plenty of noises and I want to chase the ball when it flies by me!

March 2020 - 1 year old!

I have been going to school on Fridays with a local teacher, who also happens to have her own service dog from Retrieving Freedom. You can see Victor pictured behind me performing the "place" command. I give my weekend teacher foster my full attention during the school days. She's really proud of me!

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! 

July 2020 - 16 months old

 

This month I transitioned out of the correctional facility and spent a few weeks in a volunteer foster home with Jessica. Together, we traveled to Retrieving Freedom for training sessions. The trainers are excited to work with me in formal training! They are so impressed with how much I've advanced. 

August 2020 - 17 months old

  

I've been on many new adventures over the last month! I spend my days with Jessica and her service dog Victor. He shows me every day how to be a model service dog. I will transition into the RFI facility soon for formal training!

September 2020 - 18 months old

I have transitioned into formal training, officially! I entered full-time training at the Retrieving Freedom facility in Missouri. Here, I'll be working closely with the trainers to finalize some task work and figure out which route - veteran or autism - I'll go down as a hopeful service dog.

November 2020 - 20 months old

   

I was thankful to go to a wonderful weekend foster home for Thanksgiving! They are also fostering RFI service dog in training Laddie, so it was fun to show him the ropes over the holiday weekend. Laddie and I enjoyed playing and taking naps together! Some of the highlights from these fosters include walking perfectly on a slip leash, minding my manners, showed affection, playing fetch, and overall settling in to their home after the first day.

January 2021 - 22 months old

 

March 2021 - 2 years old!

  

I celebrated my second birthday this month!