Valentine

Valentine's Journey

Stage 1 Introduction

Hi! My name is Valentine. 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 fosters, Jane and Michelle.

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 home in Texas to my new puppy foster home in Missouri! I am excited to learn alongside Jane and Michelle. I'm already performing "sit" on command, and I wait patiently before going through a doorway. I've already begun training in public, but it doesn't take long before I'm ready for a nap in the middle of an aisle. I love playing with other dogs! Over the next few weeks, I'm going to continue working on potty training and other basic commands. Stay tuned!

June 2020 - 3 months old

   

This month I visited a physical rehabilitation center and was able to spread smiles to everyone I met! The wheelchairs and walkers didn't bother me at all, and I played nicely with everyone I encountered. I am still a little cautious when it comes to jumping down out of the car, but I love to jump up on new friends. These are areas I'm working on.

August 2020 - 5 months old

 

At the end of each day, I spend time giving puppy snuggles. It's important that I take time to relax and bond with my handler. Michelle says it's her favorite part of the day, too, so I'm glad to bring a smile to her face! Some of my accomplishments this month including "leaving" items on command that should not be in my mouth (leaves, worms, food), walking on leash next to a grocery cart, and relaxing in church while the loud music is playing.

September 2020 - 6 months old

   

I've been impressing my fosters lately with my leash-walking skills! I can walk properly next to both a stroller and a grocery cart. I "leave it" when there's tempting food in my reach, and I don't get bothered by the sudden, loud music at church. I am having troubles with appropriately greeting people, but I've gotten better lately! I also need to lower the amount of barks I give out in a day. Everything is just so exciting I feel the need to bark about it!

October 2020 - 7 months old

 

I'm growing to be so smart and patient! During our walks through nature, my fosters and I work on "leave it" when I am tempted to pick up sticks and leaves, and maintaining my heel going up and down steps.

November 2020 - 8 months old

   

I'm becoming very patient at holding my "place" command at the park while other humans and dogs walk around me! I'm doing much better at relaxing in the evening time at home, staying calm when strangers greet me, and not barking at new people or other animals.

December 2020 - 9 months old

   

I've entered a bit of a fear period in my training. My fosters are working closely with the professional training staff at Retrieving Freedom to work through this! I had a busy Christmas, shopping for gifts and delivering them with my foster Jane! I also have been polishing my "leave it" command with the temptation of a dryer sheet. Jane and Michelle are very patient with me through public outings, as most strangers are suddenly spooky to me. I'm doing great at keeping focus on Jane and ignoring distractions. Here's to hoping we continue with more positive outings like this!

January 2021 - 10 months old

  

Time to go to school! Well, only for one day. All the students were learning virtually, so I was able to go to work with Michelle at the school with limited distractions. At first, I was spooked by this big mural. Michelle worked with me and after getting used to it, I was able to calm down and enjoy walking up and down the halls. 

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! 

February 2021 - 11 months old

  

At the beginning of this month I did a simulated turn in at the formal training facility! This means I practiced an overnight visit with my future trainers so that it's not such a shock when I come here for a longer period of time next month. I did great! It was nice to be reunited with my fosters for a few more weeks until my turn in at the very end of the month. I can't thank Michelle and Jane enough for all they've dedicated to me over the past 9 months! I learned so much from the experiences and training expertise they provided to me. I will now work in formal training at the Retrieving Freedom facility with the professional training staff in order to advance my training from the foundation Jane and Michelle have given me.

March 2021 - 11 months old

This month I transitioned from the training facility to Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. I'll be spending the next few months here with a Veteran handler who will teach me new tasks. I won't be able to give updates while I'm here, but I'm looking forward to updating you all when I return to Retrieving Freedom!

April 2021 - 1 year old!

I celebrated my first birthday this month. My handler gave me extra treats and snuggles!

June 2021 - 14 months old

This month I transitioned out of CMCF and back to the Retrieving Freedom training facility. I'm excited to show the trainers all that I've learned!

July 2021 - 15 months old

   

I had a very special visitor this month! My original foster, Michelle, visited me at the training facility! It was so good to see her again. We caught up on three months of snuggles and play time.