Basil

Basil's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi there! My name is Basil. 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 "Echo" from PAWS With A Cause. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Jesina.

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. 

May 2020 - 7 weeks old

  

Right at the end of this month, I transitioned from my wonderful breeding foster home to my new puppy foster home with Jesina! I'll begin to work on crate training, walking on a leash, behaving in public, potty training, and learning my name!

June 2020 - 2 months old

  

I have been working with RFI trainers both over Zoom and in-person, so they can be sure my training is off to a good start. They are impressed with how much I've improved in such a short period of time! I showed no fear on this wobble board. 

July 2020 - 3 months old

   

I continue to meet with trainers at RFI for small training sessions. Good news - they are still impressed! I just need to work on channeling my energy appropriately. It was fun to train alongside my sister Luna as well. I'm working on focusing on my handler, Jesina, when other dogs are around. I'm a very confident puppy - not much phases me other than hot weather! I prefer to travel with a portable fan everywhere I go. Some might call me a princess.

August 2020 - 4 months old

     

I have been working on commands like "place," "under," and "paws." I'm catching on quickly! I enjoy trips to the grocery store, but have a hard time if strangers try to greet me. I tend to give back the same energy people give to me, so I'm working on remaining calm in chaotic situations. I've officially grown out of my puppy vest and into my medium vest! Time is flying by and I'm growing quickly.

September 2020 - 5 months old

   

This month Jesina and I began college classes. The first two weeks, I did great! More recently, I've been a little restless in class. I've been teething so I feel the need to chew a lot. I have the command "left" down perfectly. I'm getting better at ignoring squirrels on our college campus, but Jesina notices that skateboards and bikes tend to frighten me if they catch me off guard. I'm working to gain a little more confidence around them!

October 2020 - 6 months old

      

Can you believe I'm already half a year old?! I am beginning to relax more frequently, especially during Jesina's classes and while she's at work. I'm learning the command "drop" and "leave it" when I have something in my mouth that I shouldn't. This was my first season of Fall so leaves blowing around were distracting at first, but I learned to grow used to them. 

November 2020 - 7 months old

Jesina and I continue to train at monthly foster classes. I am getting big! 

December 2020 - 8 months old

    

As I grow older and bigger, I'm becoming more playful. I love to see other dogs and just want to greet and play with them! Jesina has been working on this with me by consistently training with me around other dogs and people. It is especially tough to focus on my handler at puppy class when there are lots of other dogs around! Being cradled in Jesina's lap helps me to calm my body, relax, and refocus my attention on her.

January 2021 - 9 months old

 

I wasn't able to train in public much this month due to being in heat, but Jesina kept me busy with walks outside (when the weather permitted). I'm working on not pulling on my leash and trying to lead Jesina when we are walking and my vest isn't on. I'm looking forward to training more next month!

February 2021 - 10 months old

   

I'm a very calm dog while I'm working; my eye contact with Jesina is wonderful while we are training in public. I have a great transition from being active and playing, to listening to any given command. Jesina dropped me off at Retrieving Freedom at the end of this month for a 'simulated turn in.' This is basically a practice round of staying at the facility for a weekend before I turn in for formal training, for good. I adjusted pretty well! Now it's time to enjoy my last few weeks with Jesina before that time comes.

Stage 2 Introduction

Woohoo! I have officially been entered into the second of training, and I am so excited!  Over the past several 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 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! 

March 2021 - 11 months old

 

This month I had to say a difficult "see ya later" to my amazing foster, Jesina. We have been working together for 9 months and I can't thank her enough for all she's dedicated to me. She gave me a great foundation to continue my training as a hopeful service dog. Next, I'll be training at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility with a Veteran handler. I won't be able to give any updates while I'm there, but I'm looking forward to showing you all I've learned in a few months!

April 2021 - 1 year old!

This month I celebrated my first birthday! I felt so special and loved - my handler gave me extra treats and snuggles.

June 2021 - 14 months old

 

I transitioned out of CMCF this month and back to the Retrieving Freedom training facility in Iowa. My puppy raiser Jesina came back and visited me - it was so good to see her again! I'm going to begin working on new tasks with the training staff and show them all I learned while at CMCF.

July 2021 - 15 months old

  

August 2021 - 16 months old

I love playing outside with my sister, Belle!