Eric and Dexter's Story

Placement | June 2021

We are proud to announce the successful placement of Dexter as a Veteran Service Dog for his new favorite person, Eric! Eric and Dexter have been working diligently for several months to achieve this accomplishment. Dexter assists Eric with various mobility tasks, such as tugging exterior doors closed and bracing while he transfers from his wheelchair. 

   

Sponsor Announcement

Retrieving Freedom staff have been working closely with Greg and Sue Becker to help sponsor my training. The Becker's graciously donated toward a Puppy Head Start Sponsorship, which provided them the opportunity to give me my wonderful name! I want to thank the Becker's from the bottom of my heart for their generosity toward my training. I hope to make them proud!!

Dexter's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hey all, I'm Dexter.  I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are “Lacie,” who is originally from RidgeView Labradors and is now fostered by Sara, and "Seal" from RidgeView Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Sonja. 

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.

June 2019 - 2 months old

I just got to meet my foster mom, Sonja! She tells me that I am the cutest boy around. I am so excited to officially start my training to become a service dog! Sonja is a student at Wartburg College, so I will spend a lot of my time training on their campus in the fall!

July 2019 - 3 months old

  

I have been such a busy kid this past month! Now that I recognize my name and have mastered potty training, it's time to learn some new commands. First, I am learning how to "sit." This comes pretty easy for me because I love food and will do whatever it takes to get a treat! This month I was also able to attend a 4th of July Parade, but I thought a nap sounded better than watching the parade. 

August 2019 - 4 months old

 

My foster calls me a "rock star!" I continue to work on my basic obedience, especially in new places. This month, I got to fly in an air plane! I live in a town called Waverly, IA and I got to see my small town from above. The pilot even had a dog biscuit in his pocket. He knew just how to win me over! This month I also went to the Missouri State Fair! I had so much fun. I was able to work on my "place" command and if I stayed on my place board, people were allowed to pet me (with permission from my handler, of course). I wasn't phased by any of the food on the ground. 

September 2019 - 5 months old

 

Sonja and I started college today! She got me an orange bandana to fit in on campus. Orange is our school color. I'm excited to see what we can learn together during Sonja's senior year! Stay tuned!

October 2019 - 6 months old

 

Sonja and I visited a pumpkin patch this fall. She says we are picture perfect together, and I think I agree! I'm learning that when my vest is on, I have to go into work-mode and ignore strangers and other distractions. When it's off, I'm able to play like any other regular dog!

December 2020 - 8 months old

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'm learning what all this white fluffy stuff is that falls from the sky. I like to play in it and lick it as I walk. Sonja and I stay cuddled up inside as often as possible, because we know our time together is quickly coming to an end. In just a few short weeks, I will be heading to Mississippi to continue my training in one of RFI's correctional facility programs. I will miss Sonja terribly, and can't wait to come back one day and show her all the new tasks I learn! Thank you endlessly, Sonja, for everything!

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! 

January 2020 - 9 months old

 

Please enjoy this goofy photo of me that was taken before I left for Mississippi. I'll be training for the next few months with an inmate handler at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. I'm planning on advancing my task training and maturing! I'm excited to update you all in a few months!

June 2020 - 14 months old

 

After celebrating my first birthday in April at the correctional facility, I was released and traveled back to the RFI location in Missouri for full time training this month! Time to focus on task training and work on advancing through training.

July 2020 - 15 months old

 

I was able to enjoy a visit from my breeding foster, Sara, this month! We took advantage of a photo opportunity with my brother, Atlas.

August 2020 - 16 months old

 

When I'm not training, I'm playing! I like to have a nice, long play session after a stressful day of training. It's a great way to relax before the end of the day!

September 2020 - 17 months old

I have been venturing into weekend foster homes. I behave pretty well! It's important for me to experience a variety of situations, so when I'm in these weekend foster homes I go all over - football games, grocery stores, shopping, restaurants... it's so much fun!

October 2020 - 18 months old

I worked with my trainer at a banquet and behaved perfectly! Everyone was impressed when I demonstrated tasks. 

November 2020 - 19 months old

     

I continue to train consistently at the Retrieving Freedom facility throughout the weeks, and on the weekends I go into volunteer weekend foster homes! This is a great way to relax and rejuvenate after a long week of working on new tasks. I am hoping to pass my test to enter stage 3 of training soon! Over Thanksgiving, I spent the long holiday weekend with a wonderful foster family who introduced me to cows, goats, and chickens on their farm! 

December 2020 - 20 months old

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a full weekend this month at the Thompson Foundation for Autism to meet children with Autism in the area and show them how a service dog can be a calming presence during times of high anxiety. What a great experience!

Stage 3 Introduction

Over the last year and a half I have been working diligently to get to this part of training... Stage 3! During this stage I will begin to meet potential recipients, learn final training tasks, finish up my role in the impact programs, and complete the 100 required one-on-one hours with my future recipient. This stage is a 4 to 6 month process, and I understand there is still a chance that I might not complete the program due to health or performance. I'm looking forward to sharing with you about my first visits with potential recipients, trips into public, and other highlights throughout my final stage of training.

January 2021 - 21 months old

      

I passed my test and entered the third and final stage of training this month! Woohoo! Thank you to my trainer and all my volunteer fosters who have assisted in getting this far in training. Now I am able to begin working with clients and work on finding the perfect match!

February 2021 - 22 months old

On weekends, with volunteer foster homes, I'm able to relax a bit. Sometimes we run errands in public, where I'm working on not barking at strangers who spook me. 

March 2021 - 23 months old

 

This month I went to a baseball game with staff from Retrieving Freedom. It was a great environment to work on ignoring distractions (so many different sounds and smells!), and remain calm when everything around me is loud and exciting.

April 2021 - 2 years old!

This month I celebrated my second birthday! I spent some time training with my hopeful recipient, and can't wait to see them again.

May 2021

      

I spent a day training at a local Sedalia park, working on various textures and controlling my impulses in new environments and around new people. I have been working consistently with a client and love when we are able to have visits together!