Ricky

Placement | April 2021

 

My trainers had to make the difficult decision to remove me from the training program. Thanks to all who helped me get to this point! I'm looking forward to my future.

Ricky's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi, my name is Ricky. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. I was donated to RFI from the Morgan Family & Ensley Family. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Brian & Ginger.

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 - 2 MONTHs old

I was super excited to meet my new foster family this month! They are just as excited to teach me all I need to know throughout this process, so I can advance in my training and hopefully become a service dog someday! I was able to experience my first snow. It was weird and cold at first, but I got used to it!

December 2019 - 3 months old

 

Merry Christmas! I'm not so sure about the white, fluffy stuff that falls from the sky. I like to lick it off the ground!

February 2020 - 5 months old

I am getting big! Everyone tells me how handsome I am. This photo shows how well I have mastered eye contact with my handler.

March 2020 - 6 months old

  

I'm doing great at understanding that when my vest is on, I'm in work mode. I have to ignore distractions and give my full attention to my handler. When that vest comes off, though, it's a whole different story! I love to play.

July 2020 - 10 months old

  

I am getting so tall! I spent a Saturday this month at the new RFI facility in Missouri for their Grand Opening event. I behaved myself around all of the other dogs. 

September 2020 - 1 year old!

I was able to celebrate my first birthday this month! I've been training at the Retrieving Freedom facility in Missouri, working closely with the professional trainers and weekend fosters!

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! 

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 and rejuvenate before another week of working on tasks!

January 2021 - 16 months old

Happy New Year! I was able to spend the holidays with my original fosters, Brian and Ginger. It was so good to see them again!

April 2021 - 19 months old

  

I had the opportunity to say "see ya later" to my amazing foster family once more this month. I flew out to California to begin training for a different program. Thank you to all who helped me throughout my time at Retrieving Freedom!