Delta

Sponsor Announcement

Throughout the 2019-20 Delta Waterfowl banquet season, Army veteran and RFI recipient Trent Dirks traveled with his service dog Tracer to share their story, love, and appreciation for both Retrieving Freedom and Delta Waterfowl Foundation. Trent had the amazing idea to raise and train a future service dog named "Delta" in honor of the two organizations. Trent and Delta will travel together to many Delta Waterfowl Foundation banquets throughout the 2020-21 season.

Delta's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi! My name is Delta. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. My parents are "Annie" who is originally from Kerrybrook Labradors and is now fostered by the Card family, and "Stone" of Oasis Labradors. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Trent. Trent is an Army veteran who received his RFI service dog, Tracer, in 2016.

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 - 2 months old

This month I transitioned from my wonderful breeding foster home in Texas to my new puppy foster home in Iowa! I will be working with Trent and his family for the next 8 or so months. They will teach me how to properly walk on a leash, be quiet in my crate, my name, and potty training! So far I am doing GREAT!

June 2020 - 3 months old

I was able to spend time with a puppy-sitter this month while my fosters traveled out of state. During that time, I experienced my first baseball tournament!

July 2020 - 4 months old

Life at home is pretty crazy, so I enjoy when I'm able to put my vest on and go to work. I am very driven and always wanting to know what's next. I love learning, playing, and making new friends! I was able to travel to the new Missouri facility for the Grand Opening event. I was very well behaved the entire time!

August 2020 - 5 months old

I have been growing like a weed! I'm becoming very tall and muscular. My obedience is coming right along - I love to focus on a task, master it, and be praised for it.

September 2020 - 6 months old

My foster Trent and I have been traveling around to various Delta Waterfowl Foundation banquets. I am proud to have the name Delta and to have the opportunity to show everyone at these banquets how service dogs are capable of helping those in need!

October 2020 - 7 months old

Trent and I continue to train at home, in public, and at Delta Waterfowl banquets!

November 2020 - 8 months old

This month I transitioned out of my foster Trent's home and am preparing for a transition in my training. For now, I'm spending time with a new foster named Jessica. She is a student at a local college, so I'm getting lots of new experiences (like squirrels as a distraction!).

December 2020 - 9 months old

This month Jess and I volunteered at an event where we worked near another Retrieving Freedom service dog in training named Java and her foster, Alison! This was a great opportunity to train by ignoring distractions, maintaining focus on our handlers in busy environments, and appropriately greeting strangers.

January 2021 - 10 months old

This month I had to say another tough "see ya later" to my temporary foster, Jess. We spent the last two months together, learning from each other every day. I'm so thankful she opened her home and heart for me! I am preparing for a transition to the Missouri training facility, and then to meet my new handler at Mizzou. So many new, exciting changes coming!

February 2021 - 11 months old

This month I was able to meet my new handler, Sydney! We have spent time getting to know each other. She was able to work with me on the commands I already know and introduce me to new ones. I'm excited to see what we can accomplish together over the next few months!

March 2021 - 1 year old!

Sydney and I have been working hard together, mastering the "left," "front," and "touch" commands. I have a problem with whining and begging for food when humans are eating around me, but I'm making progress as we continue to work on it. I do not like getting my nails trimmed at all and refuse to let Sydney try. Other than that, I'm doing exceptional when my vest is on and I'm working! I traveled to St. Louis this month, took a ride with Sydney on the side-by-side, and stayed focused in the loud, busy environment.

April 2021 - 13 months old

I've improved a lot on the "touch" command. Sydney has begun incorporating this command when we're on walks and while other dogs are present, to be sure I can perform the command with distractions around. This month I was introduced to the "visit," "paws up," and "crash" commands. I can't thank Sydney and the other students enough for all they've dedicated to me the last four months! It's time for me to head back to the Retrieving Freedom training facility to work closely with the trainers there.

June 2021 - 15 months old

I have been working diligently with the professional training staff at the Retrieving Freedom facility! I love learning new tasks, perfecting them, and celebrating with a nice long play session afterward.

July 2021 - 16 months old

I went home with a weekend foster over the Fourth of July. I was surprisingly calm in their home with fireworks going off nearby in their neighborhood. I stayed calm through the entire church service, even when people began to unexpectedly clap. I tend to get excited to see other dogs and will tug to walk toward them, but otherwise I am a nice dog to walk on leash! I heel perfectly when no other dogs are around. This month I traveled to Georgia where I will be spending time with a foster, Madalynn, working with summer campers at Camp Southern Ground!