Retrieving Independence provides a variety of assistance dog programs for people with disabilities or individuals who work with people with disabilities.

Service Dogs perform a variety of task such as turning on lights, picking up dropped keys or opening a door. These dogs assist with daily tasks and increase independence by reducing reliance on other people. A Service Dog can pull their partner in a manual wheelchair, push buttons for elevators or automatic doors, and even assist with business transactions by transferring money, receipts, and packages.  They provide social support and companionship. 

Skilled Companion Dogs are trained to work with an adult or child with a disability under the guidance of a facilitator. A facilitator is typically a parent, spouse or caregiver who handles and cares for the assistance dog, encourages a strong bond between the recipient and the Skilled Companion Dog, and is responsible for the customized training needs of the dog.

Disabilities served include but are not limited to, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, autism and Down’s syndrome.

A Skilled Companion is bred to be calm, reliable and affectionate, and reduces the reliance on other people to complete simple daily tasks.

A Skilled Companion can also serve as a social bridge to people who are not used to relating with a person with disabilities. Not only does this kind of assistance make their physical lives easier, it boosts confidence and feelings of self-sufficiency.

Seizure Response Dogs are trained to perform the following behaviors according to the client’s needs: remain next to the partner during the course of a seizure, summons help in a controlled environment and retrieve a phone prior to a seizure when ask by the partner.  Certain dogs, after bonding with their partner, may even develop the ability to predict and react in advance to an oncoming seizure.

Facility Dogs are expertly trained dogs who partners with a facilitator working in a health care, visitation or education setting. These dogs are trustworthy in a professional environment and can perform over 40 commands designed to motivate and inspire clients with special needs.

Facilitators are working professionals responsible for handling and caring for the Facility Dog. Additionally, facilitators are committed to long-term employment where they directly serve clients with special needs a minimum of twenty hours per week.

People with disabilities might have trouble reaching a light switch, picking up a dropped pencil or opening a door. Imagine having a dog that could do all of that, and more.

Partnering

Partnering with a Service Dog helps an individual with a disability go far beyond the limitations their disability would normally place on them.  Working together, each partner is able to live life to its fullest, sharing in successes and enjoying the gift of unconditional love.

 
The Bond

The Bond is the most important aspect in your working relationship with a Service Dog.  To facilitate the bond we carefully match the personalities of both partners.  Experience has shown similar personalities blend best in this type of working relationship.

This bond facilitates an inter-dependent relationship which is built on trust.  Through this     inter-dependency comes independence.  You will discover a unique relationship built on love and respect that not only enhances independence but also nourishes the soul.

Ways the Partnership can enhance your life

• Your dog can be a social icebreaker.
• Eases loneliness and helps you to feel safer.
• Reduces ware and tear on your body and mind.
• Helps you return to activities you once enjoyed feeling secure that your dog is there for you.
• Helps relieve worry for family and friends.
• An asset at a busy work place or school environment reducing reliance on other people.
• Reduces the number of hours required by an attendant, often allowing a person to live completely independent or requiring only a minimal amount of outside support.
• Being responsible for the life of your dog can provide meaning and responsibility.
• Provides love and companionship increasing the joy of life.

What is Required of You

Clients of RI must remember that although assistance dogs are highly trained in many commands, they are not machines that will respond automatically to commands. There are certain aspects of dog handling that are required to gain and maintain their responsiveness.

These include:

• Quick decision making  
• Action or reaction 
• Degree of physical movement, strength and reaction speed;
• Good judgment in order to make the appropriate handling decisions 
• Good memory so that the leader is always consistent with the dog  
• RI dogs are responsive, but NOT responsible. 
• A dog cannot take responsibility for the safety of the recipient.  
• A dog does not have the ability to identify a situation that is safe versus a situation that is dangerous.  
• Are only able to perform under the direct supervision of an adult, and cannot go to school alone with a child.

 
Things our Dogs Cannot Do

Each client must remember that an assistance dog is highly train to do many things but your dog will not respond automatically.  Making the bond with your dog and being consistence in the way you ask will ensure responsiveness.  It takes good judgment to make the appropriate handling decisions.   We will work with you to be sure that you can make those appreciate decisions.
 
An RI dog cannot take responsibility for the safety of the recipient.

An RI dog does not have the ability to identify a safe versus a dangerous situation.

Our Dogs can only work under the direct supervision of an adult, and cannot go to school with alone with a child, 18 or under. 

RI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, age national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, including genetic characteristics, pregnancy, sexual orientation, military status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. 

Please keep in mind that an application can be rejected at anytime, as we always keep in mind what is in the best interest of the Client. 

RI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, pregnancy, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military service status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.