Penny II

Penny's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, my name is Penny. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. My parents are "Gracie" who is originally from Kerrybrook Labradors and now is fostered by the Ingersoll family, and "Wally" from RidgeView Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Bobbi.

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.

November 2019 - 2 months old

I am working on overcoming novice environments such as statues. My volunteer foster mom Bobbi is working hard at exposing me to anything and everything, so that nothing intimidates me for the rest of my training! I sat next to these statues like a pro.

December 2019 - 3 months old

When I first started I did not like my gentle leader (1st picture), but you can see I'm getting much more used to it and can relax while I'm wearing it. I'm also working on the command "place" and improvised with the coffee table as my place to go.

January 2020 - 4 months old

My foster Bobbi is doing great at exposing me to various environments. I am working on ignoring distractions (not chasing that tempting volleyball!) and staying in place. I've found that the easiest way to do this is to get in a quick snooze.

February 2020 - 5 months old

I'm working on performing commands when asked, no matter what the circumstances. Here I am "placing" on an object that has wheels! I'm also doing much better at training with the gentle leader. I have grown up so much!

June 2020 - 9 months old

It was a long few months of quarantine, but I've started to train in public again! My foster takes me camping with their family, and I enjoy playing with the kids at the campground! I also love laying by the fire and simply relaxing. I haven't skipped a beat over the past few months. I visited Retrieving Freedom a few times to work with the trainers and they are impressed with my progress!

July 2020 - 10 months old

I have been attending training sessions at Retrieving Freedom. The staff is impressed with all of the commands I know, and how confident I am when being introduced to new obstacles. Although I still approach with caution, I tend to conquer new challenges in just the first few tries. Learning is so fun!

August 2020 - 11 months old

I have been working hard with Bobbi, 10 hour days are exhausting! After a long week at work, I enjoy relaxation at the campground and am able to play with some of my favorite kiddos. I also got to help one of my favorite humans pick out her wedding dress this month!

September 2020 - 1 year old!

Checking in for a training session at the Retrieving Freedom facility - still doing great! Later on this month, I made the transition into the second stage of training! I am lucky to participate in the correctional facility training program partnership between Central Mississippi Correctional Facility and Retrieving Freedom. My new handler is a veteran, and I'm super excited to see what we are able to accomplish together over the next few months!

Stage 2 Introduction

Wahoo!!! I have officially been entered into stage 2 of training, and I am so excited! Over the past 10 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!

December 2020 - 15 months old

Since returning from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, I have been working consistently with my trainer at Retrieving Freedom. On the weekends, I go into foster homes to take a break after a long week of training. Over Christmas, I spent time with a wonderful Holiday Foster family.

January 2021 - 16 months old

Happy New Year! I went home with a volunteer foster home over the holiday. I was calm, quiet, and gentle with other dogs, adults, and children alike. I'm so polite in the home - I stay off furniture unless I am invited, I sleep quietly in my crate all night, ride in the vehicle without whining, and only chew on toys I'm given.

February 2021 - 17 months old

I got so excited to pose for the camera this month!

March 2021 - 18 months old

My trainer ensures that, after each session of working on tasks, we take plenty of time to play afterward. It's my favorite! I had a special surprise visitor this month: my wonderful foster Bobbi! She and her current foster dog, Tommie, drove 6 hours to see me at the Missouri Retrieving Freedom training facility. It was so nice to reunite with them!

April 2021 - 19 months old

I went home with a weekend foster this month named Brandon, who has another dog, Delilah, at home. The three of us went for several walks together, and Delilah and I played nicely. Brandon and I ran errands and I behaved perfectly in public!

May 2021 - 20 months old

I still on the right path toward becoming a Service Dog, although my professional training staff say I can still go either way - as a Veteran Service Dog or Autism Service Dog. I acclimate to new surroundings quickly, although I do startle easily. When I do get startled, I settle back in quickly and redirect my focus back to my handler.

June 2021 - 21 months old

Each week I participate in various Impact Programs. One of the most recent additions to my training schedule is going to Nucor Steel with a day foster. There, I am in the office with hundreds of employees bustling around in their uniforms and being noisy and potentially distracting, which is great exposure for my training!

July 2021 - 22 months old

I traveled back to the Iowa training facility this month to continue working on various tasks with a new set of trainers.