Tip

Placement | November 2019

 

Some are scared of change, but I'm excited for the future! My trainers decided the service dog path wasn't what I was born to do. Fortunately my wonderful foster family has chosen to adopt me! I am excited to live a life as a pet with them! I was also certified as a Therapy Dog and am looking forward to changing lives. Thank you to everyone who helped me throughout my training.

Tip's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi, my name is Tip. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. My parents are "Cotton" and "Hope" From Yellow Rose Labradors in Texas. My mom Hope was raised by the Carpenter Family. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer handler at a correctional facility in Iowa.

During this time I will learn the basics of citizenship, 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.

May 2018 - 2 months old

I have entered the correctional facility in Iowa and I am getting used to my new handler. I was given a great start in my breeding foster home and know a lot of general behavior work already, so my new handler is taking advantage of that and advancing my training well.

Stage 2 Introduction

Wahoo! I have officially entered Stage 2 of my training, and I am so excited! During this stage, I will begin working more with my RFI staff trainer and in the Impact Programs. The past 10 months with my foster have been a great learning experience, and we are both excited to see what's to come! The next 8 months will be spent working with college students, at-risk teens, and middle school students. I will also begin working on intermediate tasks associated with my future placement! 

December 2018 - 10 months old

I have transitioned into a foster home outside of the correctional facility and will be entering formal training at the Retrieving Freedom facility soon!

February 2019 - 1 year old!

  

Happy first birthday to me! I got this new bone as a gift from the foster of one of my siblings. Four out of six of us were able to get together for a birthday paw-ty.

May 2019 - 15 months old

   

I spend my weekends in a foster home with Moriah. She takes me on lots of adventures. This month we visited the local AMVETS for Memorial Day.

Stage 3 Introduction

Over the last year and a half I have been working diligently to get to this part of training... Stage 3! I switched to my Stage 3 trainer at RFI and he has confirmed that I will be working toward becoming a service dog for a child with autism. 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.

July 2019 - 17 months old

 

Happy Fourth of July! I have begun working with potential matches, but over the holiday weekend, I was able to spend time with Moriah and her family! I had the opportunity to participate in the Sit, Stay, Read summer reading program at Retrieving Freedom. Students from the community read to me and watched me perform commands. I was honored to participate!