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Open Tours Every 3rd Tuesday of Each Month, 1-2 PM, MO & IA Locations Cheers for Change events (formerly known as the Brewery Tour) is expanding to include breweries, wineries, distilleries, bars, and other venues in Missouri and Iowa!

Stories
Discover heartfelt stories of Veterans, children with autism, and families whose lives have been transformed by a Retrieving Freedom Service Dog. From moments of new independence to powerful bonds of trust and love, these stories celebrate the real impact your support makes every day.


Ricky and Fiji: A Service Dog for This Veteran Picks Up Where Milo Left Off
Some Veterans know exactly what a Service Dog can do for them, because they have lived it before. Ricky is one of them.
Retrieving Freedom
5 days ago2 min read


Shane and Image: A Service Dog for This Veteran Rides Shotgun
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.
Retrieving Freedom
6 days ago2 min read


Dan and Kato: A Service Dog for This Veteran Heads Home
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.
Retrieving Freedom
6 days ago2 min read


Service Dog for Veterans: Thomas and Irwin's Story
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.
Retrieving Freedom
6 days ago2 min read


Nichol and Vinnie: A Service Dog for Veterans with PTSD Steps Into His Purpose
On his first night home, Vinnie interrupted Nichol's nightmare. Read how this Veteran and her service dog became an unstoppable team from day one.
Retrieving Freedom
Apr 302 min read


Meet Lenny, a Service Dog for Veterans with PTSD, and His Veteran Rex
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.
Retrieving Freedom
Apr 302 min read


Alena and Zuma: A Partnership Already Changing Lives
Retrieving Freedom is proud to celebrate the placement of Alena and her Service Dog, Zuma, who are now officially a working team.
Retrieving Freedom
Apr 21 min read


Vern and Niko: A Partnership Full of Energy and Connection
Retrieving Freedom is proud to celebrate the successful partnership of Vern and his Service Dog, Niko, who have officially passed their Public Access Test and are now a working team.
Retrieving Freedom
Apr 21 min read


Leah and Hero: A Perfect Match from the Start
Retrieving Freedom is proud to celebrate the successful partnership of Leah and her Service Dog, Hero, who have officially passed their Public Access Test and are now a working team.
Retrieving Freedom
Apr 22 min read


Elliott and Frosty: Closing Out 2025 - A Meaningful Year of Placements
As we reflect on the impact of our work in 2025, we are proud to share the story of Elliott and Frosty, a partnership that marked our final Service Dog placement of the year.
Retrieving Freedom
Jan 261 min read


Matt and Zander: A New Partnership Off to an Incredible Start
Retrieving Freedom is excited to celebrate the success of Matt and his Service Dog, Zander, who have officially passed their Public Access Test and are now a placed team.
Retrieving Freedom
Dec 8, 20251 min read


Braxton and Elton: A New Partnership Built on Trust and Experience
Retrieving Freedom is thrilled to share the exciting news that Braxton and his Service Dog, Elton, are now officially a placed team!
Retrieving Freedom
Nov 10, 20252 min read


Daniel and Wrangler: A Perfect Match on the Farm and Beyond
Retrieving Freedom is proud to celebrate another incredible milestone. Daniel and his Service Dog, Wrangler, have officially passed their Public Access Test and are now a working team! Since joining Daniel’s family, Wrangler has quickly proven to be a blessing in every way. He is fitting right in on the Avegalio farm, where life is full of energy, laughter, and plenty of animal friends. Wrangler has bonded closely with Daniel’s kids, who absolutely adore him, and he has also
Retrieving Freedom
Oct 29, 20252 min read


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
Retrieving Freedom
Oct 29, 20252 min read


Hudson and Fiji: A Perfect Partnership in Motion
Retrieving Freedom is proud to celebrate a wonderful milestone— Hudson and his Service Dog, Fiji, have officially passed their Public Access Test and are now a placed team! From the moment they met, it was clear Hudson and Fiji shared something special. The two quickly bonded over their love of watching trucks and trains—two of Hudson’s favorite things—and have become inseparable ever since. Whether exploring together or taking on everyday routines, Fiji has been by Hudson’s
Retrieving Freedom
Oct 24, 20251 min read


Autism Client Thea and her Service Dog Skittle
Retrieving Freedom is thrilled to announce the new partnership of Thea and her Service Dog, Skittle. From the very beginning, it was clear these two were meant to be together.
Retrieving Freedom
Sep 30, 20251 min read


Chris and His Veteran Service Dog Yoshi
We’re proud to announce that Chris and his Service Dog, Yoshi, have successfully passed their Public Access Test and are now an official...
Retrieving Freedom
Jul 24, 20251 min read


Cory and his Veteran Service Dog Opal: A Bond Built on Trust and Companionship
Retrieving Freedom is proud to celebrate another remarkable milestone. Cory Finzen and his Service Dog, Opal, have officially passed their Public Access Test and are now a placed team! Since joining Cory’s family, Opal has made herself right at home. Her affectionate personality shines through in everything she does, and she has already brought a new sense of calm and connection to Cory’s daily life. Whether accompanying him through daily routines or relaxing with the family,
Retrieving Freedom
Jul 18, 20251 min read


Autism Client Locklynn and her Service Dog Quinn
After passing their Public Access Test, Locklynn and Quinn are now officially working together. This important milestone reflects the hard work and dedication of both the family and Quinn’s trainers.
Retrieving Freedom
Jul 1, 20251 min read


Deacon and his autism Service Dog Luigi
After passing their Public Access Test, Deacon and Luigi are now officially a working team. Luigi has already made a remarkable difference in Deacon’s daily life.
Retrieving Freedom
May 1, 20251 min read
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