Magik

Sponsor Announcement

Retrieving Freedom staff have been working closely with Patricia Ward to help sponsor my training. Patricia graciously donated toward a Puppy Head Start Sponsorship, which provided her the opportunity to give me my wonderful name! I want to thank Patricia from the bottom of my heart for her generosity toward my training. I hope to make her proud!!

Placement | July 2020

Some are scared of change, but I am excited for the future! Due to health reasons, I am unable to continue down the path to become a service dog. My wonderful foster decided to adopt me, and I am looking forward to spending the rest of my days relaxing and loving on her! Thank you to all who helped me throughout this journey!

Magik's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hello, I am Magik.  I am proud to have been selected to enter into the Retrieving Freedom training program.  My parents are breeding stock from Wildrose Kennels and I was a donation to Retrieving Freedom from the Wildrose Service Companions Foundation. During this stage of training I will be spending approximately 8 months with my new volunteer foster, Ashley. 

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. 

 

February 2019 - 2 months old

  

I got to meet my new volunteer foster home Ashley this month! I also have been experiencing snow for the first (and second... and third...) time. Ashley takes me to classes with her at the University of Northern Iowa. Walking across campus is tiring! Good thing I am able to take a good snooze during classes.

March 2019 - 3 months old

 

I have already learned so much alongside Ashley over the last month! I know my name, I know "sit," and I am walking well on a leash. I've got potty training down like a pro, but I'm best at getting dirty! Ashley says I'm patient when it's time to take a bath, though.

April 2019 - 4 months old

 

Happy Easter! The best part about spring so far is the weather. Now that the sun is coming out more often, Ashley and I are able to go on walks and enjoy what outside has to offer. I am learning the difference between vest-on (work mode) and vest-off (play mode) behaviors.

June 2019 - 6 months old

I am growing like a weed! This summer, Ashley coached high school softball where her sister played on the team. They won the State Championship!! I told them I'm the State Champion of Good Boys for being their #1 fan all season, and they thought I needed to try the medal on for size.

September 2019 - 9 months old

 

I've been testing out costumes for my first Halloween. Mom says I can't go as a "good boy" because you have to dress up as something you're not. I am the best boy around. 

October 2019 - 10 months old

 

Halloween is exhausting. Working is exhausting. I'm growing lots right now, so I tend to sleep whenever I get the chance. 

November 2019 - 11 months old

 

Ashley says I'm getting so handsome. I've matured a lot with her over the last 9 months. She knows our time together is coming to an end soon. I'm thankful for everything she's done for me and I hope she knows I'm more proud of her than she is of me!

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! 

January 2020 - 13 months old

I am traveling to the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) this month to further my task training with a handler. I will miss my foster mom Ashley but I have learned so much from her. It's time to head south and put all she's taught me to the test. I can't wait to see how much I learn over the next 6 months!

June 2020 - 18 months old

  

This month I left the correctional facility in Mississippi and made the trip back to Iowa. I will begin to work directly with the professional training staff at Retrieving Freedom on specific tasks. They have been impressed with all the progress I made at CMCF! I was able to reunite with my original puppy raiser, Ashley. She is now fostering a new puppy named Kinnick and we had a great time playing together.