Liberty Farm Coltrievers
Ideal for service, therapy, and search & rescue roles
Coltriever (coal-tree-ver) - the Coltriever is a dynamic hybrid, combining the intelligence of the Border Collie with the love and loyalty of the Golden Retriever.
Established over 30 years ago by Holly Kohls of Crooked Rooster Farm (CRF) in Snohomish, Washington, CRF has been renowned for producing exceptional dogs known for their emotionally intuitive and adaptive nature—making them ideal partners for individuals with special needs and disabilities. Over seventy percent of CRF dogs have gone on to serve in various service, therapy, and search-and-rescue roles.
Liberty Farm’s Coltrievers proudly descend from these proven lines. Several Liberty puppies are now thriving in unofficial therapy roles, and one was among the youngest dogs ever certified as a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog. More recently, a number of our puppies have found loving homes with children on the autism spectrum (ASD).
Liberty Farm was honored to be mentored in Coltriever breeding by Holly for six years, until her unexpected passing in the spring of 2025. Her legacy continues through every carefully raised and deeply loved Liberty Farm Coltriever.
About the Coltriever and the process of adoption please see https://www.libertyfarm.ca/what-is-a-coltriever
The Remarkable Story of Bruno
"Change is really hard for Henry, even when it's a good change that he's excited about. So he wound up having a big meltdown at bedtime last night. I was with him in his room, and after a bit my husband brought Bruno in. Bruno wasn't phased by the meltdown at all, zero signs of feeling anxious, scared, or uncomfortable. Bruno came directly over to Henry and started giving him kisses. He then curled up with his head on Henry's lap. Henry was instantly settled. Like he went from a 10 to a 1 in a second. And as soon as Bruno was close I could visibly see Henry's heart rate and breathing slow. He has never come out of a meltdown and settled that quickly, ever ❤️.
Since it was now Bruno's bedtime, Henry helped put him in his crate. He wasn't ready to leave Bruno, so grabbed his pillow and blanket and curled up next to the crate. He and Bruno were both asleep in less than 5 minutes.
Bruno is a truly remarkable dog and is the perfect, missing piece we've been waiting for. We can't thank you enough! ❤️❤️❤️"
Dogs offer significant benefits for individuals with autism, including emotional, social, behavioral, and safety improvements.asdbc+3
Key Benefits
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Enhanced Social Interaction: Assistance and therapy dogs often act as a bridge for children and adults with autism, encouraging more interaction with peers and reducing social isolation.goldenstepsaba+3
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Calming Effect and Anxiety Reduction: Dogs provide comfort and help lower anxiety during stressful situations, including public outings, meltdowns, and transitions.autismparentingmagazine+2
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Redirection of Repetitive Behaviors: Service dogs can gently interrupt repetitive or self-stimulatory actions through nudging or physical contact.asdbc+1
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Greater Independence: Individuals with autism can gain confidence and independence by participating in activities with their service dog, such as walking or attending events.goldenstepsaba+2
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Improved Safety: Autism service dogs are trained to prevent bolting, track lost children, and alert caregivers to potential dangers, increasing overall safety.bcandalbertaguidedogs+2
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Improved Sleep Quality: The comforting, calming presence of a dog can lead to better sleep for autistic children and adults.mira+2
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Boosted Communication Skills: Children may develop stronger language and communication abilities through interactions with their dogs, including giving commands or simply talking to the dog.autismparentingmagazine+1
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Support for Families: Service dogs can foster resilience not only for the autistic individual but for the entire family, improving emotional well-being and reducing stigma.canine
