Rose II

Breeding Career

 

Piper passed all necessary testing - both behavioral and genetic - and qualified to enter the Retrieving Freedom Breeding Program in July 2021.

Rose ii's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi there, I'm Rose. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are “Faith” who is originally from Kerrybrook Labradors and is now fostered by the Sanderman family, and "Olaf" from RidgeView Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Allison, who is part of the Iowa State University Program. 

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.

August 2019 - 3 months old

 

I got to meet my new volunteer foster mom Allison today! I think we will get along great and learn a lot from each other. As a growing puppy I love naps and snuggles. I am working on learning my name, potty training, and walking on a leash.

September 2019 - 4 months old

 

My foster takes me to classes at Iowa State University with her and I get to experience all the exciting things the campus has to offer, including this statue!

October 2019 - 5 months old

 

My foster takes me on lots of adventures, including the Christian Petersen Art Museum. We also competed in the annual Block and Bridle Dog Show at Iowa State University. We had a great time and I won 1st place in my class and 1st place overall!

December 2019 - 7 months old

 
Celebrating Christmas was super fun and I reminded everyone that I'm the true present!

January 2020 - 8 months old

  

I continue to practice my skills in different environments, like at the Brunnier Art Museum where we worked on eye contact. I also practiced "leave it" with tempting treats placed in front of me that I calmly resisted. 

February 2020 - 8 months old

   

This month I was able to attend my first Iowa State University basketball game with my foster Allison! I behaved very well and wasn't scared by the mascot "Cy."

March 2020 - 9 months old

  

Gymnastics! How fun is gymnastics?! I loved attending my first gymnastics meet at Iowa State University with Allison. We have also been enjoying the sunshine by going on walks around campus.

April 2020 - 10 months old

 

Allison and I have been going on lots of outdoor adventures lately! 

May 2020 - 11 months old

 

This month I said a difficult "see ya later" to my wonderful puppy raiser, Allison. I am so thankful for all of the guidance she's given me over the last 9 months! I am so proud of her for graduating from Iowa State University (wish we could have walked across the stage together!) and can't wait to see what we are both capable of accomplishing in the future! Thanks for everything, Allison!!

Stage 2 Introduction

Wahoo!!!  I have officially been entered into stage 2 of 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! 

June 2020 - 1 year old!

Last month I made the transition from my amazing foster to the RFI facility in Waverly for formal training. I have been working with the training staff as part of my evaluation. Together, we are deciding what the best path for the next step of training is! For my first birthday, I played with my sister Marvel and got a special treat!

July 2020 - 13 months old

    

This month I went on a weekend trip with Jessa, who fostered me for a few months when I was a puppy. We recreated some photos to see how much I've grown! We explored the town of Pella and purchased a new vehicle! I was also able to reunite with my friend Enzo, who spent the same year with me at Iowa State University! 

August 2020 - 14 months old

       

I was able to spend the first weekend in August reuniting with my puppy raiser, Allison! We went on many adventures and it was so good to see her again! This month, I began back at school! I have been going to a second grade classroom to work with a Teacher Foster, Mrs. Meier.

September 2020 - 15 months old

     

I love going to school! Mrs. Meier takes me to school every Friday where I am able to interact with the students and teach them all sorts of things including patience, nonverbal communication, and how to love without judgment.

October 2020 - 16 months old

      

Happy Howl-ween! I had a photo shoot with my weekend/teacher foster Jacey & Jess and the other dogs in our home. I'm the cutest ghost around! I'm not sure what we did to deserve snow in October, but it makes for great post-recess reading snuggles!

November 2020 - 17 months old

  

This month I participated in a familiar adventure: college! Part of my training is to attend some of my days at Wartburg College. The students who work with me say I'm very well trained and mind my manners! I only get going up and down the stairs - I just want to run! They took the time to work with me on appropriate speed on the stairs and I picked up on it quickly.

December 2020 - 18 months old

       

At weekly group training classes, I work with a weekend foster named Vicky. She's the best! She helps me build confidence when it comes to new training equipment, such as the ladder and peanuts. My teacher foster Mrs. M. made paw print ornaments for our second grade friends. They loved them! I'm ready for the holidays!

January 2021 - 19 months old

 

Happy New Year! I am spending my last couple of weeks with Mrs. M. and our second grade friends before I transition to the next program. On weekends, I head home with volunteer fosters for a few days at a time. One weekend foster, Michelle, said I behaved well with my vest on and ignored her dog who was sniffing me. As soon as my vest came off, I appropriately interacted with him perfectly! I kept my focus on my handler all weekend as we traveled to restaurants and a hockey game.

February 2021 - 20 months old

   

This month I began training at Wartburg College with student handlers. This is where I travel to campus with them for a few hours at a time, providing me the opportunity to train in new environments! I do well, other than a little bit of whining when we stay in one place for too long.

March 2021 - 21 months old

     

Days when I'm not working on tasks with my trainer at the Retrieving Freedom facility, I travel to the local college to continue working with student handlers. I heel perfectly next to my handler through the sky walks, outside where there are potential distractions (hello, squirrels!), and in loud places such as the cafeteria. On weekends, I travel to weekend foster homes where I'm able to relax outside of the kennel environment.

April 2021 - 22 months old

   

I had the opportunity to visit my favorite second graders one last time before the end of the school year! It was great to see them again.

May 2021 - 23 months old

     

While home with weekend fosters, I behave perfectly in public environments and at home. I went to school with a new Teacher Foster who said I didn't mind the students at all and played nicely with his personal dog at home. I'm very relaxed and easy going in general. 

June 2021 - 2 years old!

 

I have transformed into such a calm, relaxed dog. I went home with a weekend foster named Riley who took me to church. He was the door greeter that day and despite plenty of opportunities for pets and distractions, I laid quietly at his feet while he greeted everyone and held conversations. I did not seek attention or distract anyone. I also laid quietly throughout the entire service, including when the loud worship music played. I loved when Riley's grandchildren gave me tummy rubs as a reward!

July 2021

 

Riley and I love to go for walks! On really hot days, we walk early in the morning to keep me safe from the heat. During our walks, I am non-reactive to squirrels, bunnies, other dogs, or any other potential distractions. I am so laid back, though, that it's hard for me to keep up with Riley's walking pace. I don't mind when friends come over to Riley's house - I stay calm and lay quietly. I am completely trustworthy in the home and don't pick up anything that I shouldn't! This month I officially entered the breeding program! This means I passed all necessary testing - both behavioral and genetic - and have qualified to be a breeding dog, to hopefully deliver healthy and smart puppies to become future service dogs.