Milo

Milo's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, I'm Milo. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are "Winnie," who is originally from Kerrybrook Labradors and is now fostered by the Epley family, and "Really" from Dickendall Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Addie. 

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 - 2 months old

     

I am so excited to be entering my foster home with Addie to begin training! Together, we are going to work on learning all the basics of service dog training so I can advance to the next stage of the process. I'm going to fully enjoy the next 8 months with Addie! Wahoo!

October 2019 - 3 months old

       

I am currently working on the “place,” and “leave it” commands, and I am working on perfecting the “heel” and “down” commands. I love food and treats of all kinds, so it’s making my training easier! Do you like my Halloween costume? Addie says I'm the most handsome boy she knows!

November 2019 - 4 Months old

  

I have been progressing well with my commands. I love getting compliments when we are in public about how well-behaved I am for such a young puppy! Outside of training, my favorite things are holding bones in my mouth and napping on my back! 

December 2019 - 5 months old

  

Merry Christmas!

February 2020 - 7 months old

  

It's important that I am introduced to all sorts of interesting things. This statue didn't scare me one bit!

March 2020 - 8 months old

  

Addie and I have been taking advantage of the sunny weather by getting out more! We like to play in the backyard (look how laser-focused I am on my toy hiding behind the camera) and making trips into public to work on my training. Addie and I both can't believe how big and mature I'm getting!

April 2020 - 9 months old

Addie can't believe I'm 9 months old and she's fascinated at how quickly I'm picking up on new tasks these days. Even though we haven't been able to go out into public, training doesn't stop in the quarantine! We have found new tasks to work on at home, such as the "pivot" and "back" commands. I'm also perfecting duration within commands, and general patience. I've developed a bad habit of vocalizing, so Addie is working diligently with me to ensure that I don't bark at other dogs or neighbors outside! My favorite things this month are meal time, running around in my newly fenced in backyard, and chewing on my favorite bones!

May 2020 - 10 months old

I'm not exactly sure what happened or why I have to wear this funky cone, but I sure feel different after that visit to the veterinary clinic!

June 2020 - 11 months old

  

Keeping my attention on my handler in public is my number one priority! Addie knows how to keep me and my foster brother cool during the summer heat - fun, flavored ice treats!

July 2020 - 1 year old!

    

This month I celebrated my first birthday. I've been getting so big and working on finalizing my obedience before turning in for formal training at the Retrieving Freedom facility. Addie and I have been visiting the facility for training sessions, and the trainers are super impressed with how far I've progressed while in quarantine! Addie can't believe how much better I've gotten at the "here" command - no matter what I'm doing outside, I come the first time I'm called! That is a huge milestone for me. 

Stage 2 Introduction

Woooo!  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!

August 2020 - 13 months old

I have been working closely with my trainer at the Retrieving Freedom facility in Missouri during the week days, and qualified weekend foster homes on the weekends. Training can be stressful, so it's important I take time each day to get outside and play!

September 2020 - 14 months old

On the weekends, I have the opportunity to go into foster homes for a few days! I behave like the perfect gentleman both at home and while training in public. 

November 2020 - 16 months old

  

I went home for Thanksgiving with a wonderful foster family! They are fostering service dog in training Paisley. We took shifts between snuggling and playing!

December 2020 - 17 months old

  

I spent a week and a half, over Christmas and New Years, with a local foster family. They are currently fostering another service dog in training named Paisley. Thanks, Larry and Lisa, for taking me in! I had so much fun playing, relaxing, and chewing on bones with Paisley.

January 2021 - 18 months old

    

Lately I've had a little bit of vest sensitivity, meaning I am uncomfortable when my working vest is put on. I walk funny and have a hard time listening to commands at first. My trainers have been working diligently with me to eventually overcome this - look at my happy smile wearing a vest in the photo above!

February 2021 - 19 months old

March 2021 - 20 months old

    

This month the training staff from Retrieving Freedom took me and a couple of my buddies in training to a baseball game. This was a great environment to train in! As you can imagine, there are plenty of sights, sounds, and smells to actively ignore. I did great!

May 2021 - 22 months old

 

My pal Gemma and I like to play fetch and tug together between intense training sessions. It's important to relieve stress and burn extra energy this way, so we can focus when it's time to work!

June 2021 - 23 months old

 

I make sure to mix up my training by working in various locations. I work on new tasks and commands at the Retrieving Freedom facility, and spend days with a day foster at Nucor Steel where I'm an office dog for the day! 

July 2021 - 2 years old!

 

I spent the Fourth of July with a lovely weekend foster family! I had so much fun.