Watson

Sponsor Announcement

Retrieving Freedom staff have been working closely with Tony Russell to help sponsor my training. Tony graciously donated toward a sponsorship, which provided him the opportunity to give me my wonderful name! I want to thank Tony from the bottom of my heart for his generosity toward my training. I hope to make him proud!!

Watson's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, I am Watson.  I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are “Spirit,” who is fostered by the Nash family, and "Olaf" from Ridgeview Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, a handler at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC).

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. 

April 2019 - 4 months old

On the weekends I travel to furlough homes, who help train with me in public situations. When I'm not working, I enjoy playing outside!

May 2019 - 5 months old

On the weekends, you can find me out socializing in public OR napping on my weekend foster's couch. Rachelle, you are so kind!

December 2019 - 11 months old

 

While at IMCC, they had a little Christmas photo opportunity for us to use. Look how cute I am next to service dog in training, Kyah and Santa Paws. A volunteer foster, Jessica, was kind enough to let me come hang out with her and Victor (her service dog) for the weekend! Soon, I will be heading back to the training facility in Waverly for Stage 2 of my training!

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.  This training stage will be another 8 months of working within the Retrieving Freedom Impact programs. 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! 

January 2020 - 1 year old!

This month I celebrated my first birthday - woohoo! I entered my first Impact Program - the Wartburg College class. I was partnered with a student from the college for the semester, and we have started getting to know each other. As she progresses with her training, we will be able to go in public together more!

February 2020 - 13 months old

My student and I work together so well! She and the RFI trainers know that I still have some more maturing to do. I test out whoever has the end of my leash to see if they are a capable handler. When they prove to me that they are, I'm a great listener! 

March 2020 - 14 months old

Our time together in the Wartburg College program has come to an end early due to a global pandemic. I will miss my student and hope she knows how much she taught me in such a short amount of time together! I hope to see her again someday!

April 2020 - 15 months old

 

I haven't been able to train in public due to the quarantine, but I've been working hard with my trainer at the RFI facility! We keep training entertaining these days - lots of obstacle courses, and I'm learning fun, new tasks!

June 2020 - 17 months old

 

I am able to go into homes on the weekends again now that things have begun opening up! Here I am cuddling taking a break from playing with my buddy Victor, who is a veteran service dog. I also like to snuggle up on my weekend foster Jessica's patio furniture.

July 2020 - 18 months old

I love snuggling up with my weekend foster's dog before bedtime. 

August 2020 - 19 months old

Relaxing between training sessions is my favorite! I have plenty of time to play with my friends in training, such as Rascal, who is pictured here.

Stage 3 Introduction

I'm so excited to be a part of the Retrieving Freedom training program! During this stage I will begin to meet potential recipients, learn final training tasks, finish up a 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 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.

September 2020 - 20 months old

I've been working with my trainers and weekend fosters. I'm doing a phenomenal job at ignoring distractions while training in public! On the weekends, I work with volunteer weekend foster homes where I'm able to relax after a long week of training!

November 2020 - 22 months old

 

I am preparing to work with clients! My task work has been fine tuned and I am ready to meet potential matches. I went home over Thanksgiving with a wonderful foster family. I had so much fun! We went on walks, played, and trained.

December 2020 - 23 months old

 

I have transitioned back to the Iowa facility to work with potential matches. As I near my second birthday, my trainers are working hard to find the perfect person for me! I'm willing to be patient in order to make the right match rather than the fastest match. In the meantime, I'll continue perfecting my tasks and playing between training sessions.

January 2021 - 2 years old!

  

This month, just a few weeks before celebrating my second birthday, I was the lucky one who got to open a Christmas present from a client! He got me and my friends in training a giant box of Milkbone treats! 

February 2021

   

March 2021

I have been consistently working with one client, and am looking forward to more training sessions!

April 2021

     

Now that the sun has been shining and all the snow has melted, I have been enjoying daily outdoor play sessions with other service dogs in training! It's important to take time to play when I'm not busy working with my trainer or future recipient. 

May 2021

  

I have been attending classes at Wartburg College with various trained student handlers for a May Term Leadership course. It's fun to see other service dogs in training that I know while on campus! Here I am pictured with Rose and Ackley.

June 2021

 

I have begun working with one client closely. I love when they come to visit! 

July 2021

I've begun home visits with my new favorite person! I get so excited to see them.