Wanted: Foster Homes and Foster Trainers!

As our training program grows, so does our need for foster homes and foster trainers. We have several roles, so you can choose the skill level and time commitment you are comfortable with.

One of the characteristics of a great Assistance Dog is orientation to people. We intentionally select dogs that want to be close to people. Some of these dogs have a hard time living in a kennel environment for long periods of time. Our goal is to help our dogs have as much home experience as possible and volunteers help us love and support these fine dogs.

Foster trainers help the dogs build skills for their future roles as Assistance Dogs. Weekend homes and foster homes help dogs have time away from the kennel. More details on these fun and valuable roles are below

Click items below for more information:

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a yard?

No. Our dogs love a yard, but if you’re willing to walk them multiple times each day that works well.

Can I leave the dog in the yard?
No. The dog may only be in the yard while directly supervised. Someone must be outside with the dog at all times. This is to prevent bad behaviors such as barking, digging, chewing, etc. and to help the dog learn important house manners needed in his future home.

What about other pets or children?

Most of our dogs get along with other animals and children, but be sure to let us know about all your household residents so we can make an appropriate match.

What if I can’t keep the dog for a while?

No problem. If you need a break for any reason, just let us know. We can keep the dog or find another volunteer to help while you are away. We appreciate any time you can give us.

Do I need any special equipment?

THSD will provide a crate, leashes, food, medications and any other items you may need. You just provide the good home.

Will I get training?

All fosters have an orientation class to help you get started. This is a half-day for weekend or overnight homes and foster families.

Foster trainers also bring their foster dog to ongoing weekly classes.

Do I have to train the dog?
We ask that all our fosters help us in training the dogs as far as house manner (counter surfing, chewing, jumping on furniture, crating, potty training, etc.) and manners around people (no jumping, mouthing, barking, etc.) No other training is necessary for foster families or weekend/overnight homes.

However, foster trainers attend weekly classes and will be taught how to conduct formal training sessions to progress the basic training the dog received from THSD.

Are the dogs trained?
All of the dogs are in various stages of training, from straight out of a shelter to nearly fully trained assistance dogs. The newer dogs may have never been in a house before and we often don’t know what their house manners are like. Our fosters and weekend/overnight homes provide extremely valuable information to us that we use in determining the best future placement for the dog!

Can I take the dog out in public?

Foster trainers may take their dog in public once approved by the THSD trainers. In fact, exposing the dog to different experiences is part of the training. Only these dogs will be authorized to wear their service jacket for public access to all buildings. Weekend homes and foster families will treat the THSD dog as they would their family dog; it doesn’t have any special access privileges.

I’m an experienced dog handler. Do I still have to attend training?

Yes. Assistance Dog training is highly specialized. It is essential you understand and follow our training methods.

What if I have a problem with the dog?

We strongly encourage communications about how the dog is doing. If there is an issue the trainers will work with you to resolve the problem. If it turns out that the dog isn’t a good fit for your home we will try another dog if available. We want you and the dog to have the best experience possible.

Are the any special requirements for transporting the dog?

All dogs must be secured in a crate or by a tether when being transported. THSD dogs may not ride loose in a vehicle. This provides protection for the dog and passengers and trains them for the kind of transportation usual in their working life. THSD can provide a crate if needed.

Foster Trainer

Time With Dog: 2 - 4 months

Skill Level: Moderate to Advanced

Foster Trainers work with dogs already in our training program to both train and maintain behaviors. Foster Trainers house and socialize program dogs that have completed their first stage of training as Assistance Dogs. You and your THSD dog will attend a weekly training class at our training center that will advance to training in public locations. This is a great opportunity to learn more about dog training and advance your dog handling skills.
You must be able to have the dog with you most of the day. People who make good Foster Trainers include:

• Retired persons
• Home schooled teens
• People who work out of their home
  
• People who are structured and well organized
• People who are or want to become skilled or professional dog trainers.

Foster Family

Time With Dog: 1 - 4 months

Skill Level: Easy to Moderate

Foster families keep dogs who have been released from our program in their homes pending adoption. Across all assistance dog training organizations, less than half the dogs graduate. All our dogs are rescues, but we never send them back to a shelter.

Foster families keep these bright, friendly dogs in their homes until they get adopted. This gives the dog a much more comfortable place to live until we find a good adoption match. This also opens up our kennel for more new dogs. Being a Foster Family is a great way to enjoy the fun of having a dog without the 10 - 15 year commitment.

Weekend Home (Weekend foster)

Time With Dog: Weekends

Skill Level: Easy

Too busy M-F to take care of a dog, but long for puppy love on the weekends? Join our weekend home program. You’ll pick up one of our dogs from our training center in Dripping Springs Friday afternoon and bring it back on Monday morning. Weekend homes help our dogs in training get a break from the kennel and relax.

Nightly Home (Overnight foster)

Time with Dog: Overnights and weekends

Skill Level: Easy

Occasionally we will have a dog that cannot cope with staying in a kennel and we look for help from overnight fosters. This is like the weekend fostering except you pick the dog up daily between 3:30-4:30PM and return it the next morning by 10:00AM. It’s helpful if you live near our training facility in Dripping Springs to avoid a large amount of driving.