Libbie

Sponsor Announcement

 

I am thrilled to announce my partnership with AtWork Personnel in Sedalia, Missouri! They graciously donated to sponsor my journey to hopefully becoming a service dog! I hope to make them proud throughout my training. Thank you, AtWork Personnel!

Libbie's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi there! My name is Liberty, but my friends call me "Libbie." I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are "Spirit" who is fostered by the Nash family and "Echo" from PAWS With A Cause. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Shannon.

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. 

May 2020 - 7 weeks old

      

Right at the end of this month, I transitioned from my wonderful breeding foster home to my new puppy foster home! I'll begin to work on crate training, walking on a leash, behaving in public, potty training, and learning my name! My foster Shannon says this is her first time fostering with Retrieving Freedom and she is so excited to see what we can accomplish together over the next several months!

June 2020 - 2 months old

         

I am getting into a nice routine of going to work with my foster and sponsor, Shannon. She says I am the perfect example of AtWork's motto - "Work hard & be nice." How cute do I look in my pink tutu? I attended a birthday party and had to look the part! I've been enjoying sunny days by training outside on agility equipment and occasionally finding a nice puddle to roll around in.

July 2020 - 3 months old

        

With a name like Liberty, it's natural that I go all-out for the Fourth of July! When I'm not training or "working," I love to relax with my big brother.

August 2020 - 4 months old

        

I was able to attend the Missouri State Fair this month. Although it looked much different than normal, I behaved perfectly and wasn't tempted by the delicious smelling food! I've been working on my self-control while my humans are working and schooling from home by remaining on my place board! 

September 2020 - 5 months old

       

I attended the first of many soccer games! I wasn't distracted at all. I was able to spend time with my siblings at the monthly foster class. It's fun to see them all at once! My fosters and I worked on the Kibble Name Challenge, where I practice the "leave it" command with tempting food all around me, spelling out my name. I did great!

October 2020 - 6 months old

I love attending monthly training sessions at the RFI facility!

November 2020 - 7 months old

 

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my foster family! They gave me a special bone to celebrate.

December 2020 - 8 months old

My foster Shannon dressed me up for Christmas! I surprisingly tolerant of my sweater and bow.

January 2021 - 9 months old

   

I've been busy soaking up all these extra snuggly moments with Shannon! I love getting 'paw-dicures' - I don't ever want them to end! So relaxing.

Stage 2 Introduction

Woohoo! I have officially been entered into the second of training, and I am so excited!  Over the past several 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 also 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! 

March 2021 - 11 months old

 

This month I had to say a tough "see ya later" to my amazing foster Shannon and the rest of my foster family. I can't thank them enough for all they've dedicated to me over the past 9 months. I'm excited for this next step in my training, and to put all they've taught me to work!

April 2021 - 1 year old!

   

I transitioned to the Iowa training facility this month and have been working with a new trainer. I have been getting used to my exciting, new surroundings and look forward to the skills I'll be learning here.

May 2021 - 13 months old

       

I settled into the Iowa training facility and working with new trainers. In the middle of the month, I moved in with a foster named Madalynn. Later this month we will travel to the state of Georgia for a few weeks of summer camp!

June 2021 - 14 months old

                     

Madalynn and I are all settled in at camp! We'll spend a few weeks here together, helping campers to settle in themselves and feel comfortable while away from home. I'm gaining lots of new experiences that I wouldn't get anywhere else, and learning new things each day! 

July 2021 - 15 months old

        

I'm thankful to have spent 6 weeks in Georgia with Madalynn, the other staff, and all the wonderful campers I met! I was gifted so many new experiences and learning opportunities. My original puppy raisers came to visit me! It was so good to see them again.