Richard and Ralph's Story

Placement | June 2021

 

We are thrilled to announce Ralph's placement as a Veteran Service Dog with his new best buddy, Richard! The pair have put in countless hours together and are truly best friends. Richard has commented numerous times on how calm Ralph keeps him during times that are normally full of anxiety. We can't wait to see how these two continue to conquer things together!

  

Sponsor Announcement

Staff at Retrieving Freedom want to extend a special thank you to First Christian Church of Sedalia for their Final Training Sponsorship. This sponsorship assisted Richard and Ralph through the final steps of training, and helped to make such a successful placement. We are so thankful for your support! 

Sponsor Announcement

Many thanks to Forging Forward for their assistance with Richard's training! Past RFI Veteran recipient Bobby Henline says, "I met Richard Tudor when I was speaking at my neighbor's church. Richard mentioned his need for a service dog and I told him I know just the place - Retrieving Freedom. Then I told him about my non-profit Forging Forward which would help with any travel expenses he might need to travel back and forth for training at RFI. It warms my heart today that Richard and Ralph are together."

Richard's Story

Hi.  My name is Richard and I am a member of the United States Marine Corps.  I served from age 17 to age 24 (1983-1990). I am a proud American and wanted to give back to my country.  I was in the infantry; a motorman and machine gunner.  I was a rifle instructor at Parris Island.  I traveled all over the world, and if there was a conflict, I was on the other side of the world.   I was medevacked from the Mediterranean Sea to Italy and then Spain and then to Walter Reed and Bethesda after suffering a depressive break.  While in there a doctor came to me privately and said take this pill it will help you.  I later had a psychotic break.  Since then I have been suffering from bi-polar schizoid-affective disorder and PTSD.  It took me 26 years to finally get a medical discharge. 

I usually wait in the truck when my wife goes shopping, and I cannot enjoy each day as my mind is still going back to my stay at Walter Reed.  I have paranoia, hear voices tell me to get out of here, and am very anxious and have trouble being around people.  My wife, who is now my official caregiver, and I have been married 13 years.  With her beside me I could enlarge my environment.  That is a 24/7 job.

I heard about RFI at a DAV meeting.  I spoke with another disabled vet and he helped me to get the process started.  I was able to fly to Iowa with my wife to visit the RFI there, and the dogs were so soothing.  I felt at peace and was able to enjoy each moment.  I was able to work with a dog for about 20 minutes.  The experience was so peaceful and brought many untroubled smiles.

Since being accepted, I will travel to Missouri to begin working with my dog.  I will begin a friendship that will give me unconditional love and protection.  I am hoping to reduce my every day nightmares and the number of pills I have to take.  I hope to be able to go into stores and not feel someone is watching me; when I'm anxious, I hope my dog will have my back and I’m not having to look all around me to see if someone is watching me.  I am hoping my dog will decrease my daily paranoia as I will feel safer.

I am so relieved to have been accepted with RFI, and I can now see hope for my future.  I will be able to go into stores with my wife and go off in a different direction knowing my dog has my back.  I was discharged from the USMC seeing a different world that scared me and I didn’t know how to cope except through many, many medications.  My dog will take away my fear.

Ralph's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi, my name is Ralph. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. My parents are "Annie" who is originally from Kerrybrook Labradors and is now fostered by the Card family, and "Cotton" from Yellow Rose Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Liz.

During this time I will learn the basics of citizenship, public behavior, and basic obedience. I understand that it takes a very special dog to complete the program, as there is a high standard to become an official service dog at Retrieving Freedom. 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 who would like to follow my journey through the program.

November 2019 - 4 months old

     

I am a fast growing boy.  Here I am impressing the ladies at a tea party where my foster parent gave a presentation about Retrieving Freedom. I am also learning about farm animals. I really enjoy handing out with my dog foster brothers. 

December 2020 - 5 months old

  

I'm growing so much - my favorite pastime is napping! Even when my little buddy is picking on me. I get along great with children. I fit into my medium-size vest now! 

January 2020 - 6 months old

I've got the "place" command down like a professional! Do you think these puppy dog eyes will help me get out of work-mode and into play-mode?

February 2020 - 7 months old

 

My foster momma Liz had these photos of me printed on a bag! I've never felt so adored. I'm proud to be trained by you, Liz!

March 2020 - 8 months old

 

My foster family and I have been enjoying the nicer weather! I like going for rides. :-) I'm also testing the limits with the "place" command by sliding off my place board from time to time. Work hard, nap hard!

April 2020 - 9 months old

  

After many attempts, I've finally mastered the yoga ball! This helps me work on balance, control, core muscles, and confidence! Look how big and handsome I am becoming.

June 2020 - 11 months old

 

Last month, my foster Liz brought a new puppy into the home! She is now known as my new foster sister, Timber. I'm happy to show her the ropes! I have been teaching her the command "under" for when we go into public and need to relax under the table.

July 2020 - 1 year old!

   

My foster sister Timber and I are getting along great. I continue to show her how good service dogs in training act. I heel wonderfully with a gentle leader on, and my foster Liz is working with me to heel just as well without it. I enjoy going to places such as Menards and church to train! I was able to train at the new store in town, Family Center Farm & Home, and did great! I'm still working on how to properly pose for a photo. Apparently a yawn isn't the best look. I was also able to visit the new Missouri facility and be a model for foster homes at the Grand Opening event!

August 2020 - 13 months old

  

I went to an auction! It took a little bit for me to get used to the new sights and sounds that come with auctions, mainly the cows. But after I was used to all of my surroundings, I settled in for a nap. I'm enjoying play sessions with my foster sister Timber before I turn in for full-time training with the RFI professional trainers. I will miss her and Liz so much!

Stage 2 Introduction

Woohoo! I have officially been entered into stage 2 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! 

December 2020 - 17 months old

  

I have returned to the Missouri training facility from the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. I learned a lot over the last few months while I was there and working with a veteran handler! Now it's time to crack down on my task training and figure out which path I will continue down as a hopeful service dog. Over Christmas, I spent a few days with my original foster, Liz. She is now fostering a new puppy in training named Tali. It was fun to spend time relaxing with them! I was very excited and was the perfect gentleman when training in public over the holidays, when Liz and I had the opportunity to do so.

January 2021 - 18 months old

 

February 2021 - 19 months old

 

My trainer always makes sure to end our working session with play time - my favorite time of the day! I transitioned to Mizzou this month to begin working with a student handler named Abbey. Wish us luck as we get to know each other and experience many new things together! In our first week, Abbey worked with my to solidify my "push," "place," "left," and "front" commands. I sleep perfectly in my kennel, keep eye contact while working in public, and follow direction smoothly with few treats needed.

March 2021 - 20 months old

 

I am working on tightening my "left," performing it faster and more smoothly. I'm making progress, slowly but surely! 

April 2021 - 21 months old

  

This month I had to part ways with my student handlers, Abbey and Madison. I can't thank them enough for all they've taught me over the last four months! We have a great bond and I hope to see them again someday. I've turned back in to the Retrieving Freedom facility to continue working on tasks with my trainer.

May 2021 - 22 months old

 

I have begun working with a few different clients to see where I would fit best.

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.

June 2021 - 23 months old

   

I have been practicing retrieving and carrying around a variety of items and passed all necessary testing to advance into the third and final stage of training! My future client might need me to retrieve dropped items to return to them. This is helpful for anyone who may have bad balance, joints, or other physical ailments that may limit them from picking up items without issue.