Dan and Chance's Story

Sponsor Announcement

Retrieving Freedom staff have been working closely with the Prime Time Foundation to close on a Final Training sponsorship, which helps Stage 3 service dogs in training just like me to finish our training.

I am proud to announce that I have been selected as the Retrieving Freedom and Prime Time Foundation choice for this sponsorship! My Final Training sponsorship is in care of David LaRiviere. I want to thank my sponsors from the bottom of my heart for their generosity toward my training. I hope to make them proud!!

Placement | January 2020

It is with great excitement that I announce I have been placed as a full-time service dog! I've been paired with a veteran named Dan and together, we are perfect. From the first time we worked together, I knew this was the human I was meant to be with. We are there for each other day in, and day out. We officially graduated together in April of 2020.

I go to work every day with Dan. On our off days, we like to play fetch (I never get tired), and still enjoy visiting RFI. We even traveled to Texas in March! I want to thank everyone who helped both he and I get to this point! From sponsors to loving family and friends, my breeder home and puppy raiser, all of the students and part-time trainers I worked with - we couldn't have done this without you.

Chance's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, my name is Chance I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. My parents are "Hope" from Yellow Rose Labradors (Guy and Karol C). and "Cotton" from Yellow Rose Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my foster, Lynne. 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 2018 - 2 months old

I just got to meet my new foster, Lynne. She tells me my name is Chance. She hopes that someday I will be someone’s second chance at living an independent life.

May 2018 - 3 months old

I have been busy in my first month of training. I go everywhere with my foster! We have been to the mall, I have gotten to meet all of her friends and family but they can only pet me if I am sitting and if my foster gives them permission.

June 2018 - 4 months old

I went to my first movie but, I fell asleep after the opening previews! I didn’t even dare look at all the popcorn on the ground much less try and eat any of it. I was on my best behavior! I even got to attend a local music event, and got my picture taken with one of the performers!

July 2018 - 5 months old

I have been going with my foster to some of her workout classes, during these classes I work on my “place command” . Sometimes I just cant help myself and I need to go cuddle with my foster.

August 2018 - 6 months old

I continue to work on my basic obedience and being exposed to many different environments and people. Above, I am pictured sitting next to some stuffed animals. The stuffed moose is as big as me! I was a little bit afraid of him at first but once I realized it wasn’t real, I was happy to sit next to the moose for a picture.

September 2018 - 7 months old

I have been working extra hard and my foster mom says I am a “very good boy” Today, she brought home my new foster sister, her name is Finley! I get to help “show her the ropes” on how to be a good service dog in training.

October 2018 - 8 months old

I have been working very hard with my foster, and she says I am ready for the next step in my training. I will miss her and my foster sister, Finley so much. Thank you Lynne for giving me the best start!

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!

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 or Veteran with a disability. 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.

October 2019 - 20 months old

I have begun working with a veteran. He is the best! He and I show each other what it truly means to love unconditionally.

december 2019 - 22 months old

I mostly live with my new favorite veteran full time. I began going to work with him - all of his coworkers adore me! How could they not? Look at this smile! I hope to graduate with my veteran very soon!

January 2020 - 23 months old

I have officially been placed with my veteran, Dan! Thank you to our trainer for getting us to this point! We couldn't have done it without him. I also want to give a big thank you to everyone involved in my journey - the breeding family (Carpenter's) who raised me from birth, my foster home, Dan and Lynne, for providing me with a great 8 month start, all of my Wartburg students and trainers... you all have provided me with the opportunity to change Dan's life for the rest of mine!