FOSTER HOMES - THE HEART AND SOUL OF HELPING PAWS

 Foster homes are very special people who take our puppies into their homes and hearts, work with them daily, attend weekly training classes, socialize and train them in public and of course, love them.  They will teach them approximately 80 skills, including retrieving, turning on and off light switches, opening doors, snuggle and getting help.  After two to three years the foster homes will give these well trained, wonderful dogs to an individual with a physical disability, other than sight or hearing.
"Sounds like a lot of work and how can you possibly give the dog up after two years?"  We get asked this question a lot so to hear the other side of this story we asked our foster homes, "What is the best thing about being a foster home?"  Their responses all told the same message - this is a labor of love.

Top Ten Reasons

To Be a Helping Paws Volunteer Foster Home

According to those who would know - our foster homes.

Number 10

Have you ever seen a dog smile?

Number 9

You get to experience the thrill that comes from seeing your service dog-in-training "get it" after being taught a new skill.

Number 8

Learn dog training skills that go far beyond those learned in regular obedience classes.

Number 7

Meet new people; classmates, Helping Paws staff and volunteers, and all the wonderful people you will talk to when you are out training your dog in public.

Number 6

Nothing like a cute puppy to serve as a chick/guy magnet

(for your teenagers walking the dog of course)

Number 5

Each day is greeted with a wagging tail and you get to receive sloppy, wet, puppy kisses given unconditionally on a daily basis.

Number 4

You get to be around really great dogs and really great people.

Number 3

You get to experience the joy that comes from having contributed your time and talent towards helping another human being become independent.

Number 2

It's fun!

And the number 1 reason . . .

Where else can you give somebody the gift of a best friend?

Learn more about becoming a Helping Paws Volunteer Foster Home.