Kelly and Freyja

This is a video of our oldest son, Andrew, playing with Freyja in the backyard during a snowstorm. Andrew was visiting from Oklahoma City where he lives with his fiancee, Ashley.

This is Freyja's lullaby routine. She lies on her back across my legs, tries to nibble my arms while I rub her belly. I'm not allowed to stop til she has fallen sound asleep. She's done this with me every single day since we brought her home at 8wks old. It is my favorite part of every evening.

We're practicing Freyja's "place" command.
She hates it. She thinks staying on her cot is torture. Like it's prison.
When I give her the release signal, she bolts like a cannon off the bed.
This girl can take a 2hr nap on the cold tile floor, but cries if I make her lay on this cot for 5 minutes.

Freyja gets a #Whimzees Dental Alligator treat every day. If I forget, she sits by the counter where they are stored and stares at me until I get one for her. 🫠
In my opinion, these work better than Greenies. Their shape forces more tooth surface to be used, therefore cleaning her teeth better.

Freyja is still just as goofy as ever. 😂
She has been SO BUSY today just wiggling, playing with toys, exploring all over the yard, rolling around the carpets.
We have played tug-o-war so much today my right shoulder hurts!

Freyja's new vest fits her perfectly. I have to sew more patches on it.
We went to TJMaxx for some practice in a crowded store. She did okay! We need to work on her wanting to sniff everything and say Hi to everyone. But, every time I stopped to look at something, she sat at my feet. Progress!

Freyja settled right back into her normal antics. Toys strewn everywhere. Tore up some junk mail. Knocked over some kibble. 😂
We're so glad she still has some goofball puppy in her.
We're easing our way into routine. I'm getting used to handling her, and she's getting used to being handled by me.

The first time I met Freyja was on June 17th, 2024. She was 18 days old. Just a little potato. Eyes barely opened. She weighed four pounds.

Hey everyone! Incredible news!

Trans Scouts selling GS cookies this year on my list have sold over 50,000 boxes of GS cookies!

If you want girl scout cookies, consider buying from a trans girl scout this year! They'll mail them to you!

This is literally my fav thing to do every year :)

Assoc. of Political & Legal Anthro. is hosting a Speaking Justice to Power roundtable livestreamed this Friday (1/24) 12-2pm EST. "Responding to the US Elections & Inauguration" with Carolyn Rouse, @alexhinton.bsky.social, Micaela di Leonardo, and Frederick H. Damon. Link below.

Freyja's vests have arrived. One is insulated for outdoors, one is mesh for indoor doors. She is currently away at a month-long board-and-train, learning her public access stuff. She will be home on Thursday. I'm glad that she is now at the point that she can go places with me.

Golden Retrievers are known for being excellent companions. They love to be with their humans, have a very gentle disposition, are smart, and overall great dogs. Freyja embodies those characteristics. She's happiest when she's with me, and when she's being loved on. She'll do anything for a hug!

Freyja passed her Public Access Test yesterday! She had to walk through an elementary school during passing times and not pull, jump, run, bark, or show fear. For a 7.5mo golden retriever, she nailed it! I can only imagine how hard that must have been for her. Good job, Freyja! What a Good Girl!

Yes

Service dogs do not have to be on duty 24/7. They need time to play, sleep, and run around. Freyja has always loved toys. She likes to play fetch and tug. For HOURS. She has a lambchop that she has to have with her in her crate. And she still looks at me just like this when she wants to play.

When we first got Freyja at 8wks old, she slept on the night stand next to my bed. She learned my breathing, sleeping habits, nightmares, insomnia-- she stayed by me 24/7 to learn my every move. Now she can respond to any sudden mood change because she knows what is "good," and what is "worrisome."

DPT is her favorite task. I used to think she just wanted to snuggle. But if I am exhibiting unchecked mood behaviors and dare try to move, she forces me back down (hard) and puts more weight on my shins and feet. For her, it is just a bonus that she gets to lie down and watch TV while working.

Freyja is currently at one of her "board and train" units. She's been going to various public places to work on not getting distracted and not jumping or pulling. She passed her test today! She walked through Lowes and an elementary school off-leash and stayed focused on the handler the whole time.

#tonguesouttuesday

Freyja's first submission for Tongues Out Tuesday --

Check out what the Disability Topical Interest Group (TIG) is planning for our upcoming annual meeting in Portland. The #SfAA has a number of committees & TIGS designed to act as forums. More: appliedanthro.org/annual-meeti...

#socialscience #anthropology #appliedanthropology #SfAA2025 #disability

I received funding through a grant with the Human Animal Bond Research Institute and ASPCA to provide research data about service dogs for bipolar disorder. This requires that Freyja and I promote the story of our special bond via social media and fundraisers. I think that will be bake sales.
😊🐾🧁🍪

Since the day we brought her home, Freyja's favorite sleeping position is on her back, belly up. I still find her like this when she is napping. Even in her sleep, she asks for belly rubs. 🐾
#goldenretriever
#servicedog
#sleepypuppy

This was on the car ride home after picking Freyja up from the breeder when she turned 8wks old. She was so cuddly and sweet. We had visited her a few times before taking her home, so she was familiar with us. After licking me thoroughly, she slept in my arms for the 2-hour ride.

#goldenretriever

Freyja's birthday is 05/31/24. We adopted her when she was 8 weeks old. She weighed 13lbs. She quickly grew, and grew, and grew. She's around 73lbs now (and still growing)! Her main service task is DPT (Deep Pressure Therapy), so I need her to be a big and strong.
#goldenretriever
#bipolarservicedog

When she is off duty, Freyja is a typical, goofy, and kind of lazy Golden Retriever. 😆

I didn't take video of it, but there was an obviously fake service dog in Twenty Below. Jumping on anyone who walked by. Barking at people. Pulling on its leash. Knocked over a plate. It had on a vest. Most likely from Amazon.
This is a misdemeanor in Minnesota. But probably not enforced. 😒

Photo 1 is just us watching TV. Freyja wasn't in work mode. Just snuggling. Photo 2 shows her laying across my entire body so I can't move, and looking at me, undistracted. She sensed my mood shifting rapidly. She stayed there while my thoughts were racing. She didn't move until my meds kicked in.

Freyja began socializing at Concordia as soon as she was weened from her mom. She's very comfortable in my office and now knows most people she will interact with on a daily basis. She is a working dog,but as a puppy, she was teething constantly, so she had stuff to chew on while training.

I have terrible near-sighted vision. I didn't realize what she was doing until she pulled the string so tight. Typical Golden Retriever. Always has to have something in her mouth.

Next week, she will be six-months old. Grew like a weed the last month!

#goldenretriever