Service Dogs, Inc. of Austin, Texas Foster a Service Dog in Training - From our Facility in Dripping Springs, TX

Foster a Service Dog in Training – From our Facility in Dripping Springs, TX

Fostering: Great for the Dogs, Great for You!

Help us learn how our dogs act in a home setting
Give our dogs a nice place to relax
Learn about training from interacting with our staff
Help a dog on its journey to helping someone else!

Schedule

Pick up 4:00 – 4:30 pm
Return 8:30 – 9:00 am
You can foster overnight during the week, over a weekend or holiday or when a dog needs extra attention like after a medical procedure

Your Trainer Tether ~

Text or phone your assigned trainer as needed
Additional training information will be provided for fosters looking to advance their training skills

Foster FAQs

I have other animals. Can I still foster?

What do I need to buy for my foster dog?

I'm going to miss my dog! How can I give him away?

Givens Family Testimonial

We have been working with SDI since early 2015, as we are so impressed with what they do in rescuing these dogs and training them to be such an important part of someone’s life. The impact the dogs have on others is absolutely stunning.

We decided to foster as we love animals and wanted to give the dogs a chance to be out of the kennel when they were not being trained and to give our lab a “friend” to play with on the weekend.

It’s a joyous moment when we pick up the fosters for the weekend and see how excited they are to see us and then the excitement between them and our lab once we get home as they wag tails and run out to play. The dogs are always so appreciative and just want love and affection.

You’d think that after spending a relaxing weekend just sleeping, snuggling and playing that they’d think this is the life, but these dogs are ready on Monday to go back to “school” at the SDI training center as they love the trainers and working. They want to learn and help others.

I was so touched at the latest graduation where we could see our foster that got placed in their new home. The dogs were so happy and their new owners and their families were so excited to get home with them. Hearing the stories of the people that were blessed to be getting these dogs so that they can lead a more independent life brought tears of joy.

Fostering of SDI has really impacted our home in a positive manner and we are so grateful that we’ve been able to play such a small part in helping SDI and the foster dogs.

– Denny and Jackie Givens

To become a Foster:

Download and review our Foster Manual
Complete the Foster Application below.
When we receive your Foster Application, we will contact you about attending a Foster Orientation.

Foster Application

For volunteers who want to foster dogs.

Date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name
First Last
Phone
Email
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Availability - check all that apply. These times are not set. You can vary them.
- Week nights
- Weekends - (Friday pm - Monday am)
- Holidays
- Medical recuperation (e.g. during heartworm treatment, after surgery)
1. Why do you want to foster?
2. What fostering experience, if any, have you had?
3. Please describe your yard - size, grass/gravel, deck; fence - height, material, state of repair.
4. Please state the ages and relationship of anyone living with you.
5. Other Pets: If you have animals living with you, please describe: type, age, energy level, how are they with dogs? If you do not have any other pets, please write N/A.
6. Training experience: Do you or any of your family members have any dog training experience? If yes, please describe. Please include any books, videos or T.V. programs you follow on animal training.
7. Other comments or information

Share this!

Bruce Brim and SD Jax

I feel more motivated and confident in all facets of life. Jax gives me motivation to stay at work a little longer, work harder and more efficiently. When I get home, I now feel like preparing a healthy meal. I know Jax won’t be judgmental, and will always be ready to help me.

Bruce Brim and SD Jax

Monica Johnson and SD Avalon

Disability brings about a beautiful transformation that I didn’t think was possible in myself. My journey has led me to a place now in which I can help others with Spinal Cord Injury. It is a blessing to have the security that derives from knowing that Avalon can do tasks that make my life so challenging. She’s my best friend.

Monica Johnson and SD Avalon

Kenny Conley and SD Ruby

The staff at Service Dog, Inc. is amazing! They not only made sure the dogs were comfortable, but they did an amazing job of making sure I was comfortable. They gave so many tips on how to handle situations that could occur, that when they do/did happen, you already had the knowledge and skills to react to them. They definitely care about the Team, not just the dog!

Kenny Conley and SD Ruby

Teresa ‘Terrie” Heemsbergen and SD Ember

Without your kindness and donation, I would have been unable to complete such intense training and to have obtained such a companion. Be assured she will have the best of care and provide me with many years of support. Ember has already increased my joy and determination not to let this disease (Parkinsons) control my life.

Teresa ‘Terrie” Heemsbergen and SD Ember

Blandina Dominguez and SD Chief

I am glad to say that I am now cancer free. Chief and I completed Treatment February 5, 2015. Upon our last treatment we received a Certificate of Achievement and a Daffodil as a symbol of hope. The cool thing is Chief got one, too; and the certificate had his name on it also.

Blandina Dominguez and SD Chief

Amy Fey and SD Neo

They not only help throughout the application process, matching day, and week of training, but they do weekly home trainings and check in with you whenever you need it. Some of the trainers have become some of my very close friends. They don’t just care about their dogs, but about their humans too – they want to make sure both members of the Service Dog team are happy and healthy.

Amy Fey and SD Neo

Foster a Service Dog in Training – From our Facility in Dripping Springs, TX

Fostering: Great for the Dogs, Great for You!

Foster FAQs

I have other animals. Can I still foster?

What do I need to buy for my foster dog?

I'm going to miss my dog! How can I give him away?

Givens Family Testimonial

Foster Application

Bruce Brim and SD Jax

Monica Johnson and SD Avalon

Kenny Conley and SD Ruby

Teresa ‘Terrie” Heemsbergen and SD Ember

Bruce Brim and SD Jax

Blandina Dominguez and SD Chief

Amy Fey and SD Neo

Amy Fey and SD Neo

Claire Labry and HD Mocha

Joel Hook and SD Grace

Amy Fey and SD Neo

Monica Johnson and SD Avalon

Joel Hook and SD Grace

State and Federal Employees