About RFI
Who We Are
About Retrieving Freedom, Inc.
Retrieving Freedom, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans and children with autism by training and placing Service Dogs at no cost to our clients.
Unlike a one-size-fits-all approach, our Service Dogs receive tailored training to ensure they can best support their clients. Over more than two years, our dogs are trained to the highest standards at our locations in Waverly, Iowa, and Sedalia, Missouri.
As an accredited Assistance Dogs International member, we take pride in the remarkable companionship and support our Service Dogs provide. Each dog not only assists with everyday tasks but also offers the priceless comfort of unconditional love, truly transforming lives through the powerful human-animal bond.
The mission of Retrieving Freedom, Inc. is to change lives through the training and placement of Service Dogs for Veterans with disabilities and children with autism.
Retrieving Freedom Board of Directors
At the heart of our mission, guiding and nurturing our endeavors is our dedicated Board of Directors. Each member brings a unique blend of passion, expertise, and commitment, all united by a common goal: to ensure we meet and exceed the needs of our clients. They are the stewards of our vision, constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance our fundraising efforts. This dedication enables us to create more life-changing partnerships between individuals and their Service Dogs.
Iowa Facility
Calvin VerMulm
Major Gifts Officer
Division: Resource Development & Marketing
Location: Iowa Facility
Calvin VerMulm
Cavin Ver Mulm, a Northwestern College and Fuller Theological Seminary alumnus, has joined Retrieving Freedom as a Major Gifts officer. Retrieving Freedom is a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans with disabilities and autistic children. Cavin has experience in fundraising for the Center of Hope, a nonprofit that helps the homeless in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is excited to spread the word and raise money for Retrieving Freedom. Cavin moved to Waverly from Seattle in September and has been speaking at schools and local events to promote Retrieving Freedom and solicit donations. Cavin hopes to grow his donor base and serve the community as the Major Gifts Officer for Retrieving Freedom.
Bobbi Lawless
Apprentice Trainer
Division: Dog Training
Location: Iowa Facility
Alyssa Staudt
Apprentice Trainer
Division: Dog Training
Location: Iowa Facility
Hannah Keller
Facility Coordinator
Division: Facilities Management
Location: Iowa Facility
Hannah Keller
Hannah has always loved working with animals, but has a special place in her heart for dogs. She plans to go to college to become a Veterinary Technician. Hannah enjoys working at Retrieving Freedom and helping to fulfill the mission. She loves that her work with the various dogs in training will eventually help them in their career as a service dog.
Tristen Bradley
Kennel Technician
Division: Facilities Management
Location: Iowa Facility
Madison Lansgard
Kennel Technician
Division: Dog Training
Location: Iowa Facility
Missouri Facility
Brandon Butler
Chief Executive Officer
Division: Executive Leadership
Location: Missouri Facility
Al Hogen
Board Chair
Division: Board of Directors
Location: Missouri Facility
Heather Dawson
Chief Financial Officer
Division: Executive Leadership
Location: Missouri Facility
Heather Dawson
Heather has been in the finance and accounting field for over 15 years. She comes to RFI with extensive experience in corporate accounting management as well as financial analytics. Her most recent position was as the Financial Controller for a manufacturing facility in the Mid South. After years in the corporate world, Heather is thrilled to be changing the focus of her career and to have the opportunity to work with an organization as impactful as RFI. Heather lives in Lake Ozark, MO with her husband David and their four children, Deacon, Olivia, Jack, and Caroline.
Bailey Inman
Apprentice Course Instructor
Division: Dog Training
Location: Missouri Facility
Bailey Inman
After fostering two service dogs in training and working at a service dog training kennel during her undergraduate studies, Bailey decided to change paths to pursue a career with working dogs. Upon graduation from the University of Missouri, she moved to Philadelphia where she worked with scent detection and search and rescue canines. She then completed a year of graduate work in New York City with a focus on canine spatial awareness. In July of 2019, Bailey joined RFI as a Dog Trainer at the Missouri Facility.
Rene Massey
Board Member
Division: Board of Directors
Location: Missouri Facility
Laura Erganian
Marketing Coordinator
Division: Resource Development & Marketing
Location: Missouri Facility
Bobby Hayden
Board Member
Division: Board of Directors
Location: Missouri Facility
Ashlyn Snyder
Program Coordinator
Division: Program Management
Location: Missouri Facility
Ashlyn Snyder
Ashlyn became involved with Retrieving Freedom in 2018 as a stage 1 foster through Iowa State University. While fostering, she found a passion for the service dog industry that outweighed her interest in animal medicine. After graduation from ISU, Ashlyn pursued a Master’s Degree in Animal Science at the University of Maryland, all the while sating her love for service dogs as a puppy sitter for an organization in Maryland. Not long after graduating from UMD and moving home to the Midwest, Ashlyn joined RFI as a Program Coordinator in September 2021.
Kyle Herrick
Board Member
Division: Board of Directors
Location: Missouri Facility
Kirby Martin
Apprentice Trainer
Division: Dog Training
Location: Missouri Facility
Kirby Martin
Kirby’s love of animals can be traced all the way back to her very first pet, an imaginary cat named Mary who accompanied her everywhere as a toddler. She has since graduated to real pets of all types, but found she has a particular affinity for both dogs and horses. Kirby graduated from the University Missouri in 2018 with a degree in psychology, and went on to apply her skills handling show horses and managing enrichment for their canine companions. Kirby and her boyfriend Lane, along with their dogs Hank and Ella, and horse, Gavin, recently moved to Warrensburg Missouri, where Kirby is relishing the opportunity to work with Retrieving Freedom.
Keri Uzpen
Board Member
Division: Board of Directors
Location: Missouri Facility
Macy Broyles
Apprentice Trainer
Division: Dog Training
Location: Missouri Facility
Caira Benson
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Division: Executive Leadership
Location: Missouri Facility
Donovan Bruce
Kennel Technician
Division: Dog Training
Location: Missouri Facility
Ryan Chester
Kennel Technician
Division: Dog Training
Location: Missouri Facility
Kendra Durham
Kennel Technician
Division: Dog Training
Location: Missouri Facility
Ken Kirsch
Board Member
Division: Board of Directors
Location: Missouri Facility
Savannah Light
Kennel Technician Manager
Division: Facilities Management
Location: Missouri Facility
Chantaleigh Newton
Kennel Technician
Division: Dog Training
Location: Missouri Facility
Katie Ruiz
Director of Training
Division: Executive Leadership
Location: Missouri Facility
Robert Russell
Board Member
Division: Board of Directors
Location: Missouri Facility
Gavin West
Board Member
Division: Board of Directors
Location: Missouri Facility