TD

Sponsor Announcement

My journey through the Retrieving Freedom program has been sponsored by the Gerholdt family. I'm named in memory of Trevor D. Gerholdt.

TD's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, I am TD.  I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are “Auna” and "Fire" of Ridgeview Labradors. I got my name in memory of Trevor Daren Gerholdt. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Sara.  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. 

December 2018 - 2 months old

 

I am so excited to start my training to become a service dog with my foster, Sara. The picture on the left is my first day on the job! The picture on the right is my first day at my fosters job. I am tethered to my brother, Levi.

January 2019 - 3 months old

  

I have been very busy in the last month. Pictured on the left, I went on my first shopping trip and get to meet the Old Navy Dog! Pictured on the right is a "family Picture" My foster sister, Lacie is on the left, and my older brother, Levi is on the right.

February 2019 - 4 months old

 

I have been working hard on my basic obedience. I know how to "sit" when im told and I am working on laying "down" when I'm told. I love to play with soft toys and I will carry them from room to room. 

March 2019 - 5 months old

I continue to work on my basic obedience out in new places. Pictured above, I am sleeping during a church service. All of the loud music did not bother me at all. I slept through the entire service. 

April 2019 - 6 months old

One of my favorite activities is going to work with my foster mom. I get to nap all day long! But don't let that fool you. I have been working had on keeping up with my basic obedience and working on that in new environments. Above I am pictured with my friend, Sweep. 

May 2019 - 7 months old

 

Pictured on the left, is a picture of me at the Mississippi River Museum. This was such a fun opportunity for me to practice my obedience skills in a new environment. The fish really pretty cool to look at too! Pictured on the right is me snuggling with my favorite stuffed puppy, it even looks just like me! 

June 2019 - 8 months old

 

I went on vacation! I had so much fun with my foster parents! I went to see the St. Louis Arch and I even went to the very top! I also got to attend a Cardinals vs. Cubs baseball game. It was fun to be able to show off how well behaved I was in many new environments. Thank you to my foster, Sara for preparing me to enter into my next stage of training. I will make you proud.  

July 2019 - 9 months old

Happy 4th of July! I learned how to hold things in my mouth. 

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! 

October 2019 - 1 year old!