Jaxon and Rex's Story

Placement | November 2017

Jaxon and Rex, along with their family, passed their public access test with a professional RFI trainer and are officially a paired Service Dog Team! Thank you to all who helped both of them get to this point!

Jaxon's Story

A note from Jaxon's parents at the beginning of their journey with Retrieving Freedom:

Jaxon was diagnosed with Autism at the age of four. He had few communication skills and a hard time connecting emotionally. Jaxon is now 10 years old. With lots of work and interventions, he has recently begun to speak and to interact socially. When we came to meet a dog, I had no expectations. Jaxon’s attention is beyond his own world and can be very unpredictable. He doesn’t get excited over many things and his interest is really directed at video games and a few superheroes. Keeping his attention to the task on hand can be difficult if he has no interest in it. So to my surprise, on the day we came to meet a dog I was speechless at the interaction Jaxon had with the dog. What an amazing experience to be able to witness this introduction. My son who doesn’t show much interest towards things very often was totally engaged with this dog. He was focused and genuinely had a good time. He played, smiled, and most of all laughed. Did we just find the key to help Jaxon want to participate in more in our world? My hopes and dreams immediately became possibilities and a reality in my mind. All those limitations you find you’ve learned to accept now become possible to overcome. My heart swells imagining my son’s new world. The possibilities are endless. The “we can’t” becoming “why not”. Please help open Jaxon’s world to new beginnings. Any support given is very much appreciated.

A note from Jaxon's parents after Rex became a part of their family as Jaxon's service dog:

There are so many extraordinary things that happened when Rex became part of our family. Many moments of happiness and clarity of what our new world was going to become. In the beginning, everything sounded like this might be great for me but I thought, 'Jaxon doesn't connect very easily' and really had no expectations. That moment when Rex and Jaxon were introduced wasn't only mind-blowing to me but the world of so many possibilities just unfolded in front of my eyes. It's a moment I will always remember.

Not only is Rex an amazing tool to help me manage Jaxon in public, but most importantly, he is the vessel to help me with Jaxon at home. As I've said, Jaxon hasn't connected well. With Rex, he has a companion, a best friend, and a bridge to help establish other relationships outside of his world. One I've been thrilled to see happen is with his sisters - he actually plays with them now. Rex established a common interest and is now becoming more than that. I have witnessed him have a conversation. Small, but with purpose. Introducing Rex with such pride which shows me a side I don't get to experience often. Jaxon is a happy boy but these characteristics have been more in tune since Rex has been a part of Jaxon's life. He shows a consistent responsibility when feeding him, to compassion when taking care of him. These are the moments that will assist in shaping his future - a future of hope and as much independence as possible.

Thank you Retrieving Freedom for giving this gift of hope and possibilities, not only to Jaxon but our entire family. We will be forever grateful.

Always,

The Growden Family

Rex's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi! I'm Rex. I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program. My parents are "Duke" and "Stella" who are loved and owned by the Klein family. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Keegan.

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.

March 2016 - 2 months old

A lot of change! I transitioned from my wonderful breeding foster home with the Klein family to my puppy foster home with Keegan. She and I will work together for the next 8 or so months to prepare me as best as possible for formal training. For now, I'll work on learning my name and potty training!

April 2016 - 3 months old

I'm beginning to fit into my service dog in training vest, which means Keegan and I are adventuring out in public together. I need to learn what behaviors are appropriate for public work. So far, I'm catching on quickly!

May 2016 - 4 months old

This month I attended a graduation ceremony at the University of Northern Iowa, then traveled up to Wisconsin for a birthday party. I'm a great roadtrip buddy!

June 2016 - 5 months old

I went to my first softball game for the summer and handled the distractions around me well! I mostly just watched and chewed on my bone.

July 2016 - 6 months old

Can you believe I'm half a year old already?!

August 2016 - 7 months old

When I'm not working, I love to snuggle up on the couch or play with my favorite soccer ball. I'm very easygoing.

September 2016 - 8 months old

I went golfing for the first time ever! I was a champ at riding in the golf cart. I also attended a fundraiser for Retrieving Freedom at the Harley Davidson shop in Charles City, Iowa. My foster friends (Dixie and Zach) and I took a "paws" for a photo opportunity.

October 2016 - 9 months old

Happy Halloween! This cooler weather means I'm able to relax outside for longer periods of time (with my favorite ball of course). Keegan and I traveled to Mississippi for the Retrieving Freedom graduation ceremony to honor all the 2016 graduates! I hope I can graduate as a service dog someday.

November 2016 - 10 months old

December 2016 - 11 months old

Keegan and I visited the University of Northern Iowa with other service dogs in training, so that students could pet us to relieve their stress. This is a great way to practice our off-vest behaviors, ignore distractions, and continue focusing on my handler.

January 2017 - 1 year old!

I had a birthday paw-ty with my friends! Later in the month I attended my first indoor track meet. I wasn't bothered at all by the many sights and sounds going on around me! I just settled into the bleachers and took a snooze. I also was able to meet Temple Grandin! She is so inspirational!

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. Currently these impact programs include working with college students, at-risk teens, summer campers, inmates, and elementary students. 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!

February 2017 - 13 months old

Keegan and I went to a fundraiser for Retrieving Freedom where I enjoyed snuggling up with her nephew. The trainers have noticed I'm very good with children. Because of this and my laid back demeanor, it was an easy decision to see that I'll go down the autism path for service work.

March 2017 - 14 months old

April 2017 - 15 months old

Keegan brought home this little brown puppy. She says it's my new foster sister, Sadie, and that I have to show her the ropes by being a good role model. Once a week, I attend kindergarten! I work with a local teacher, Mrs. Taylor, who utilizes me in her classroom. This is a mutually beneficial relationship because I'm learning a lot from the students as well! Someday, if I become an autism service dog, I may have to attend school daily with my child. This is great practice!

Stage 3 Introduction

With over a year of training and hard work, I received notification of my acceptance into the stage 3 training course! This is the final stage of training for me to become a placed service dog with a veteran with a disability or a child with autism. During this stage I will begin to meet potential recipients, learn final training tasks, finish up with my role in the impact programs, and complete the required 100 hours of one on one training with a recipient. This stage is a 4 to 6 month process before my placement and I understand that there is still a chance that I might not complete this stage due to health or performance issues. I can't wait to tell you about my first visits with potential recipients, trips to public with my handlers, and other highlights from my stage 3 training.

May 2017 - 16 months old

Now that I'm getting older, it's time to begin working with clients. This little boy and I get along really well.

June 2017 - 17 months old

It's time to say "cya later" to my kindergarten buddies. It was a fun school year with them!

August 2017 - 19 months old

Another first for me! This time it was my first dirt race. I wasn't fazed at all by the loud noises, crowds, or tempting food on the ground.

October 2017 - 21 months old

Another foster sibling! This time Keegan is fostering my full brother, Maverick. We are from the same breeder and have the same parents!