Cooper

Placement | December 2020

  

Some people are afraid of change, but I'm excited for my new adventure! I will be living the rest of my days in a loving home with my best friend, Anna! She was my trainer in one of my programs and has decided to adopt me! Unfortunately some behavioral issues came up which removed me from continuing through the service program. Now I'll be able to relax with my fur-ever friend. Thank you to all who helped me get to this point!

Cooper's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, my name is Cooper and I am a Golden Retriever. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. My parents’ names are "Duke" and "Stella" and I was donated by the Klein Family. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Cyndi.

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.   

December 2019 - 2 months old

   

I have entered my new foster homes! My foster mom Keegan has me during the day time and my foster mom Cyndi takes me home at night. I learned my name quickly and love to please whoever I'm working with at that time by listening well and paying attention to what they say. 

January 2020 - 3 months old

  

I'm a very attentive puppy! I sit proudly when given the command and have a high drive to work. I've been great at ignoring distractions such as food on the ground while I'm working. I keep the best eye contact with my handler!

February 2020 - 4 months old

 

I love to please - I am always looking for ways to make my fosters and trainers happy. I had a play date with my littermate Hannah. We are so much alike! It was great to see her and chase toys with her.

March 2020 - 5 months old

  

My handlers got creative with my training this month! Here I am working on balancing and confidence. I have to be prepared for any situation possible. I did great at this exercise! I am getting big, too. This month I weighed in at 36 pounds at the veterinary clinic for my booster vaccinations.

April 2020 - 6 months old

 

I'm growing so big, and really developing a personality! I'm such a happy boy. With the current global pandemic, I'm not able to train in public very much - but I'm spending a lot of quality time at home with my foster family!

May 2020 - 7 months old

I'm still not able to work in public due to the pandemic, but I'm spending a lot of extra time outside! I love the sunshine and playing with my foster siblings. 

June 2020 - 8 months old

 

Welcome to the dog days of summer! Thankfully my foster Cyndi got a pool for the backyard, so my foster brother and sisters can keep cool in it.

August 2020 - 10 months old

      

I'm beginning to transition back to the RFI facility for full-time training! It is bittersweet, because I love spending time with my foster family, but it's good to learn some new tasks with the trainers!

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 - 11 months old

          

This month I had to say a difficult "see ya later" to my amazing foster family (and siblings!), and a fresh "hello!" to my new handler at Iowa State University. It's time I enter the second phase of training, where I'll spend a semester on the university's campus, working directly with a student handler named Anna under the supervision of a trainer at Retrieving Freedom. Let's see what I can learn at college!

October 2020 - 1 year old!

 

Happy fur-st birthday to me! I've been attending classes with my handler Anna. We are learning a lot together!

November 2020 - 13 months old

    

My original puppy fosters, Cyndi and Ella, visited me at college! I was so excited to see them and show off what Anna and I have been working on. They even brought my foster brother Dasher along! I loved playing with him growing up. I'm just as big as him now!

December 2020 - 14 months old

 

I have been spending time at the Retrieving Freedom facility, working with the professional training staff, since the semester has ended. I am so thankful for all Anna taught me over the past few months! We were very close and I'm glad to have had her leadership in learning new tasks and building my confidence!