What is a foster home?

Foster homes are the volunteers who agree to raise, socialize, train, and love the dogs we bring into our program as potential service dogs. Foster homes train our service dog candidates in all the skills they will need as service dogs. Family members may participate in the training process, however, one family member should be designated as the primary trainer. Primary trainers must be 18 years or older. We are proud of our dedicated foster homes, who are the backbone of our organization.

Where do potential service dog puppies come from and what breeds are used?

Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are used in our program due to their size, natural retrieving instinct and their strong desire to work for and please people.

Generally purebred puppies come from the Helping Paws breeding program. We require OFA certification of hips and elbows and eye and heart clearances on the sire and dam of puppies that are brought into our program. This is done to lessen the likelihood of a puppy developing a physical problem that would prevent its work as a service dog. On occasion, puppies are donated by purebred dog breeders, or Helping Paws will purchase puppies for our program.

How old are puppies when they are placed in foster homes?

Helping Paws puppies are placed in foster homes between 7 – 12 weeks of age. We believe strongly in early education and the puppy will begin its service dog training classes by 12 weeks of age.

What is involved in the training process?

The training of Helping Paws service dogs begins with puppy behavior, manners and socialization. Socialization involves exposing the puppy to a variety of experiences and public situations on a frequent basis, a process that will be guided by your instructor. Obedience skills, though not always the most fun skills to train, are a big part of the training and fundamental to the success of a service dog. In addition, many specialized service dog skills are also taught.

In order to achieve this set of skills with the puppy you are training, as a foster home you must commit to attend weekly training classes at our Training Center, to train the puppy at home in several short sessions throughout each day, and to train the puppy in public as guided by your instructor and the weekly lessons presented by the instructors. You do not need prior experience in training a dog to be a foster home. Our instructors will guide you through the process every week, teaching you how to train the dog you are fostering. Our training methods are based on positive reinforcement, and we believe you will truly enjoy the experience.

Can I take the puppy with me wherever I go?

It is a common misconception that Helping Paws puppies can go everywhere with their trainers. Training in public with your puppy will be expected as part of your weekly homework, and the process will be guided by your instructor. Acceptable locations for training in public begin with pet supply stores, veterinary clinics, parks, and other locations where all pet dogs are also allowed access. Additional locations will be added as your puppy matures and learns more skills. Eventually, as your dog reaches maturity and skills become accomplished, you will work training in public into your weekly routine.

Do I need a fenced yard?

For the safety of our dogs, we strongly encourage our foster homes to have fenced yards. Acceptance of a foster home without a fenced yard is done on a case-by-case basis.

How much exercise do the dogs require?

Active puppies need physical activity in the form of play or walking. Foster homes should expect to provide at least 25-40 minutes of exercise per day. This could be accomplished by brisk walking or playing in a safe, fenced area for example. Please understand that for young dogs under 1 year, bones are still forming. Exercise by running the dog along side you while you run, jog, bike, etc. is not appropriate for young dogs. Rollerblading with the dogs is not allowed.

What equipment or supplies does Helping Paws provide and what does the foster home provide?

• Helping Paws provides a Gentle Leader, a training pack and a crate for crate training.

• Helping Paws provides training classes, manuals covering reference, medical and training topics, and public access ID card when full public access is earned.

• Helping Paws also provides ID microchips, heartworm screening, heartworm preventative, hip evaluations and eye exams at no cost to foster homes.

What does the foster home provide?

• Foster homes provide a premium brand of dog food from a list of recommended brands.

• Foster homes provide buckle collar with ID tag, training leash, Flexi Lead, dog toys and treats.

• Foster homes provide appropriate veterinary care on a routine basis. We appreciate the many foster homes that provide this care as a donation to Helping Paws. However, Helping Paws will reimburse veterinary costs to foster homes who submit receipts.

What are the responsibilities of a foster home?

• The puppy must live in the house with you. It is important that the puppy have access to most areas of your home (even the kitchen and carpeted areas) as it will need to learn appropriate behavior in these settings.

• You must be able to care for and socialize a foster puppy for a period of up to 2 ½ years.

• The puppy must be taught to eliminate both on and off leash.

• The puppy must receive an appropriate amount of physical activity/exercise.

• Foster homes provide appropriate veterinary care on a routine basis.

• Attendance of weekly training classes at our Training Center in Hopkins is required.

• Foster homes must commit to train the puppy according to Helping Paws curriculum by working in several short training sessions throughout the day.

• Foster homes must commit to train the puppy in public according to Helping Paws guidelines.

• Transportation to training classes, field trips and training in public is provided by the foster home.

• Foster homes are expected to participate in public relation events and public education demonstrations.

Who takes care of the dog if I go out of town?

Usually another foster home will take care of your dog while you are on vacation. We like our puppies to become accustomed to new experiences and occasionally will ask foster homes to exchange puppies for a week or two. Instructors also periodically will take dogs in training for evaluations of their skills.

Will I get to meet the individual who receives the dog I train?

Yes, as a foster home provider you will have the opportunity to meet the individual who receives the dog you trained. Applicants for service dogs must complete three weeks of Team Training with their potential service dog and you can observe these classes on a limited basis. At the end of Team Training, graduation is held and you have the opportunity to celebrate reaching the goal of your dog graduating as a service dog.

What if the dog is not placed as a service dog?

Sometimes dogs in training can not be placed as service dogs due to reasons such as health or temperament. In the event that a dog needs a career change, Helping Paws staff will evaluate the situation and determine what is best for the dog. In many cases ownership will be transferred to the foster home if they wish to adopt the dog.

How do I apply?

For more information or to receive an application, click here. Once we receive your completed application, we will schedule an interview in your home with a Helping Paws representative. This interview gives you a chance to ask further questions about our Foster Home Program and gives us the opportunity to meet you personally. Next, plan to visit a couple of our training classes to observe and meet current foster home providers. Call the training center at 952-988-9359 to check current class schedules. Also call before you arrive to make sure the class will meet as planned. After you have completed these steps, we will review your application and notify you whether your application has been accepted.

Thank you for your interest in our foster home program.

We hope you will join us in our mission of furthering the independence of individuals with physical disabilities through the use of service dogs!