Norah and Porter: A Life-Changing Partnership

Retrieving Freedom is thrilled to announce that Norah and her Service Dog, Porter, have officially passed their Public Access Test and are now a placed team!

Before Porter came into her life, Norah often found daily routines and outings overwhelming. Attending her big sister’s volleyball games, for example, wasn’t possible. Now, with Porter by her side, Norah can participate in those moments—feeling calm, confident, and supported. Porter loves being near her, and Norah finds comfort in petting his soft, floppy ears.

Their connection is a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do. At Retrieving Freedom, every Service Dog undergoes over two years of specialized training to meet the individual needs of their partner. For children with autism, that means helping with emotional regulation, sensory challenges, and social confidence—providing a steady source of comfort and independence.

Recently, Norah’s family shared this heartfelt note with our staff and volunteers:

RFI staff and volunteers,

We can’t thank you enough for your part in bringing Porter into my daughter’s — and our family’s — life. He has quickly become Norah’s best friend and loyal sidekick. Norah has long struggled with emotional regulation and overwhelming sensory sensitivities; in accommodating her autism, our family’s world became pretty small. In his short time with us so far, Porter has already helped to expand our world in really meaningful and wonderful ways. He accompanies Norah to all of her speech and OT appointments, has been to back-to-school night and school assemblies, and other outings (like her sisters’ volleyball games and a firehouse open house) that before would have been impossible to attend; provides comfort when Norah's sick and feeling the physical sensations of illness in overwhelming ways; and is her nightly sleeping buddy.

Socially, Norah is more outgoing and willing to engage with Porter by her side. Simply put, he makes every part of her day better and easier! Every day I think about how lucky we are to have been able to work with RFI and have the opportunity to change Norah's life in this way. Our family is forever grateful for all of the expertise, time, and care you all put into training and loving Porter before he became Norah's service dog.

Bobbi — we are especially thankful to you for all of your guidance, direction, patience, and support. You helped us become confident handlers, and made all of this happen.

With gratitude, Emily & Nick Johnson Norah, Zoe & Ollie

Stories like Norah and Porter’s highlight the heart of Retrieving Freedom’s mission—to change lives through the training and placement of Service Dogs for Veterans with disabilities and children with autism, all at no cost to the families we serve.

Congratulations to Norah and Porter on this remarkable milestone. And to our dedicated trainers, volunteers, and supporters—thank you for making moments like this possible.

You can help make more life-changing partnerships like Norah and Porter’s possible.

Your donation supports the training, care, and placement of Service Dogs who bring confidence, comfort, and independence to those who need them most.