Therapy dogs are used in our society for tasks such as helping the visually impaired, being a calming presence that helps reduce stress, and motivating children to read. There are several therapy and support dog organizations across the United States that rely on volunteers to help raise the puppies and foster them until they are old enough to do their "job." It can be a very rewarding experience to become a foster parent to a dog in a service program.
Instructions
1. Research the service dog programs in your area by searching on the Internet or going to the website of Assistance Dogs of American Incorporated to find the names of reputable nonprofit organizations. These organizations coordinate volunteers and dogs that will become therapy dogs for the blind or other types of programs. Most organizations are looking for people dedicated enough to raise a puppy until the dogs are almost 2 years old. Most volunteers have the dog for nine months to a year.
2. Check your chosen organization to find the specific qualifications, fundamentals and financial requirements of fostering a dog in your area.
3. Decide if you can make the commitment. Foster qualifications will vary among organizations across the country, but generally a foster parent should be prepared for a nine-month time commitment and about 20 minutes set aside daily to train the dog. In addition to the basic training, you must be able to take your dog to a service dog or therapy dog training class each week.
4. Consider the financial commitment, which usually includes miscellaneous supplies such as toys, bones and treats. Typically foster parents are provided with food and basic necessities such as a crate and leash. Most organizations also take care of the dog's veterinary needs.
5. Ask yourself if you will be able to give the dog up when it is ready to become a service dog. To become a foster parent to a dog in the program, you must be prepared to give the dog up at the end of the dog's stay. For most people, this is one of the roadblocks to getting involved. However, many foster parents say it is easy to let the dogs go when they see how helpful they will be to their new owners. The service dogs enrich and enhance the lives of those they help and foster parents feel truly rewarded when they see how they have contributed.
6. Contact the service dog organization and fill out an application if you are qualified and prepared to become a foster parent for a service dog. The organization will contact you and arrange for any further requirements, such as an interview to establish whether you're a good fit for the organization.
Tags: become foster, foster parents, become foster parent, foster parent, foster parent, foster parent service