By Andy Schneider
Ty Buras was in real trouble. Buras was an Army veteran who had done tours in active war zones.
The extreme stress and horrors of war left Buras with crippling PTSD, and his battle with severe PTSD was a fight he was losing.
He was in desperate need of a lifeline. That’s when Wrigley, his service dog, entered his life. Wrigley was supplied to Buras at absolutely no cost to him from Retrieving Freedom Incorporated.
Buras explained how important Wrigley is in his life now. “Life before her was a whole lot of isolating,” Buras said.
“My wife says I’m a whole different person after I received her.”
Retrieving Freedom or RFI is using man’s best friend in the best possible way. RFI trains and places dogs with veterans and children with autism to help them in their daily lives.
They have placed 142 dogs in 19 states. They have placed 51 dogs with autistic people and 70 dogs with veterans. Nine dogs were placed prior to the current established target clients.
“You have to train for 100 hours with other dogs so that you know how to handle your dog,” Buras said.
On average a dog costs $30,000 to place, train, and care for a service dog. All dogs are provided at no cost, by RFI Ambassadors.
In 2011 Co-Founder Scott Dewey, a seasoned field trial dog trainer decided to retire to be at home with his children more.
Still, Dewey wanted to use his abilities to help individuals with disabilities. Thus, Retrieving Freedom Incorporated was founded/incorporated in 2012.
The first service dog was placed in 2013. RFI exists on donations and grants. The important work that they do is dependent on the kindness of others, and every dollar that they receive is so important. Laura Erganian Fund Development Coordinator for RFI has been an important part of placing dogs with those in need.
Erganian stressed that the need for service dogs was great and that Covid-19 has made that process that much more difficult.
For the last couple of years, RFI has not been able to have the in-person contact that makes the program work so well.
“We are actually at an expansion point in our program, we are looking to double our number of dogs,” Erganian said.
The process takes about two years from start to finish. During that process, the clients are constantly working with the dogs and forming a bond with the dogs. “The dog picks you, you don’t pick the dog,” Burras said.
“It’s a unique process. What are the needs? What are their characteristics? What makes a dog pair to each client? Are they able to grow a relationship?” Erganian said. Dogs that are not successful in the program are placed in other lines of work or placed into foster care.
One dog has been placed with the Sedalia, Missouri police department. Right now, Retrieving Freedom is focused on the ambassador program and Ty Buras is one of only 10 ambassadors, whose job it is to spread the word of RFI in their communities.
“Individuals like Ty, come back and ask, ‘how can we help,’” Erganian said. Initially, Buras didn’t feel that he was worthy of a service dog. Buras felt like there were people in greater need than himself. Now that he has Wrigley, he understands how great his need truly was and how much of a difference Wrigley has made in his life.
That’s why Buras is telling his story so that others don’t feel alone and can get the help that they need. Buras knows that there are others out there like him. Those who don’t feel like they deserve a service dog. Buras’ advice to them “would be, to give it a try,”.
Retrieving Freedom is placing service dogs with those in need, and it’s difficult work but rewarding. The recipients of those dogs find that the dogs they receive truly are man’s best friend.
If you would like to donate to Retrieving Freedom you may do so at www.retrievingfreedom.org