Four new placements. Four new stories of what a Service Dog can do. This month's Mission in Motion is full of the moments your support makes possible, from Paige and Copper to Roman and Kita, Lexi and Holland, and Matthew and Hansen.

When Matthew brought Hansen home, someone very important was waiting at the door. His first Service Dog, Goon.

We are happy to announce that Paige, Erica, and Copper passed their Public Access Test and are officially a placed team! At Retrieving Freedom, every Service Dog spends a minimum of two years in training, preparing for the moment they meet their partner. For Copper, that moment came after a week of hard work with Paige and Erica, and we could not be prouder of all three of them for everything they accomplished together. Paige is so excited for Copper to welcome her when she g

Roman and Kita are a placed team! See how a service dog for children with autism helped Roman stay safe while doing what he loves most, helping his mom.

We are excited to share the story of Lexi and Holland, a placement that has already shown just how life-changing a Service Dog can be. At Retrieving Freedom, every Service Dog spends a minimum of two years in training, preparing for the moment they meet their partner. For Holland, that moment came with an unexpected challenge. Just days after arriving home, Lexi needed bilateral knee surgery. Holland stepped into her role without missing a beat. From the very beginning, Holla

SEDALIA, Mo. — July 2026 — Retrieving Freedom, Inc. joins the Sedalia in mourning the passing of Robert D. "Bob" Hayden, who died peacefully at his home at WoodDale Farm on July 20, 2026, at the age of 88. Bob and his late wife, Barbara, are the reason Retrieving Freedom exists in Sedalia, and their generosity continues to change lives every single day. Retrieving Freedom's Missouri campus was built and currently operates on the Haydens' property adjacent to WoodDale Farm, an

What does preparation look like? Sometimes it is a puppy taking her first taste of solid food. Sometimes it is a Service Dog moving from one training stage to the next. Sometimes it is a child stepping into calm because a trained partner is finally by his side.

Itty's most important job is being there for William. She provides deep pressure therapy in the times he needs it most, offering calm and comfort when the world feels overwhelming.

What does freedom look like? Sometimes it is a Veteran walking into a crowded room with a steady partner at his side.

Somewhere in our kennels, a puppy is about to be given a name she will carry through two years of training, into the home of a Veteran or a child who has been waiting, and into a future that looks completely different because of it. That name will come from Realtree. Realtree, the world's leading camouflage brand, has joined the Retrieving Freedom Business Alliance as a Platinum Sponsor. Founded by Bill Jordan in Columbus, Georgia in 1986, Realtree grew from a single hand-dra

Some Veterans know exactly what a Service Dog can do for them, because they have lived it before. Ricky is one of them.

Shane and Image were matched on personality, and it showed from day one. Both easy-going. Both kind. The kind of pairing that does not need much explaining once you see them together. By the end of the week, Shane had earned his Service Dog and Image had found his person. What stood out most about Shane this week was his growth. He improved more than any other handler in class, meeting every challenge thrown at him with patience and steady focus. Training is not always easy.

A seven-month-old baby girl giggled at a FaceTime screen. On the other end was her dad, Dan, with his new Service Dog Kato pressed in close beside him. That moment, captured mid-training, is the kind that reminds us exactly who we are doing this work for.

Before Thomas ever brought Irwin home, he had already bought him a bed, a bone, and a ramp for climbing into the truck. That tells you everything you need to know about how Thomas felt the moment he was matched with his Service Dog.

Some people talk about making a difference. Dan Collard pedals toward it, 2,500 miles at a time. On May 7th, the retired K9 police officer from Michigan will clip into his pedals at the Mexico border and begin an extraordinary cross-country bicycle ride all the way to Canada. Every mile he rides is in service of a mission close to his heart: raising funds to help place a trained Service Dog with a veteran or first responder battling PTSD. For those who have served, in uniform

What does it look like when a Service Dog changes a life? Sometimes it's a Veteran finally getting a full night's sleep. Sometimes it's the moment a partner steps in before a hard moment takes hold. In this month's Mission in Motion, we're sharing two new Veteran placements, the partnership shaping a future Service Dog named Penny, and the everyday moments that prove your support is working.

For Nichol, simple movements that most people never think about can feel like obstacles.

Rex told us he is incredibly happy and grateful to have Lenny in his home. That gratitude is mutual. We give a piece of our heart to every dog we raise and train, but watching one step into his purpose and change a Veteran's life is the reason we do this work.

What does it look like when a Service Dog changes a life? Sometimes it’s a child finding the confidence to keep going. Sometimes it’s a new team stepping into the world together for the first time. In this month’s Mission in Motion, we’re sharing powerful stories of new beginnings, meaningful impact, and the role you play in making it all possible.

Retrieving Freedom is proud to celebrate the placement of Alena and her Service Dog, Zuma, who are now officially a working team.