RI began its journey as a non-profit and a member of Assistance Dog International (ADI).  We have since faced the fact that to succeed in the non-profit world, we would have to grow very large and require expert fund raisers on staff to compete for donor funds with the very large Organizations.   We would spend a good portion of the money we raise trying to raise additional funds.  We now ask that our client pay for the dog they receive.  This can be accomplished by individual fund raising or simply paying for the dog out right. 

Retrieving Independence resides in a 42,000 square foot facility located on a 300 acre working farm in beautiful rural Perry County, Tennessee. 

The facility has a reception area, two training areas: one for skill training and one that resembles a living area to expose and train the dogs in a home type environment.     

We have six large kennels which allow us to accommodate up to 12 dogs.  For our breeding program we have two whelping rooms together with a bathing area and a health care area. We also have a large outdoor meadow for exercise.

Thumb through the image gallery above this article to see the full facility.