News : 100 + 3: Bethlehem Lutheran donates to Retrieving Freedom K-9 program

Retrieving Freedom is a non-profit organization located in Waverly Iowa. The organization provides service dogs to children with autism and to military veterans who return home with no visible physical injuries but intense PTSD. Service dogs interacting with autistic children become a social bridge for these children, often helping even non-verbal children begin forms of verbal conversation. Children with these dogs also are more willing to approach new situations, and tend to be more comfortable in all settings with their new companions. Dogs are trained to help identify situations that cause stress and assist veterans deal with anxious situations, such as going to the grocery store, going out for a walk or even going to the movies. Josh Mulder, a former Marine from Vinton is one such veteran who served in Afghanistan and scarred from the experience of heavy combat. Josh received his service dog Traveler from Retrieving Freedom. They have been together since March of 2015. At the February 28, 2016 worship service, Bethlehem Lutheran Church presented February 2016 gift of $103.00 to Retrieving Freedom. Accepting this gift was their Program Director, Keegan Birkicht. (Pictured: Keegan Birkicht, Program Director of Retrieving Freedom, George Bauer, Congregation Council Member and "Daisy", Service Dog in training)