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Pedigree What It Takes To Be A Therapy Dogs

Fostering Future Therapy Or Guide Dogs

Preparing to become a foster carer for a therapy or guide dog isn’t quite like bringing home any regular four-legged friend. These incredible creatures provide invaluable assistance to people with disabilities, mental health conditions, or those in need of companionship and support. Before they can become fully-fledged assistance animals, they need to go through an important stage of growth and learning.

What does fostering therapy or guide dogs involve?

Fostering a future guide or therapy dog is a deeply rewarding experience, yet it comes with a set of responsibilities. It means welcoming a puppy into your home, treating them as part of your family, and committing to their care, socialisation, and early training. This period in their life is so important because it sets them up to become a best friend and assistant to someone who needs them.

What is required of you?

You will be nurturing,training, and preparing a puppy for a life of service, so you’ll need a whole lot of patience, commitment, and a willingness to learn new training techniques. It is usually best if you are around for daily walks and outings and able to cope with the physical demands of training. Make sure you follow the guidelines provided by the organisation you foster for, as these are designed to ensure the puppy's training is consistent. Remember you will have to hand your furry friend over to their new owner eventually –this can be an emotional and joyful moment. You will learn lots about dog behaviour and make a big difference to a puppy and the person who will receive them.

The application process

The process can vary between organisations, but generally, they want potential fosterers to complete an application form, attend an interview, and allow a home inspection. They need to know that your home and lifestyle are suitable for fostering one of the severy special pups in this first stage of their life.

How long do you foster for?

Typically, fostering lasts from eight weeks old until they are between 14 to 18 months. This gives the dog a chance to mature and get ready forthe next phase of their intensive training before they start their service or therapy role.

Your role in training and preparing the puppy

Your main role will be to socialise the puppy, introducing them to various public settings, people, and other animals. You'll also be responsible for their basic training, including commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” as well as house and leash training.

What kind of dogs will you train?

Most therapy and guide dogs are known for their intelligence, adaptability, and temperament. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds are among the most common, but many organisations also work with other breeds or mixes that have similar traits.

Do you get paid?

Fostering a guide dog puppy is a volunteer-based commitment, so you don’t typically receive money. However, most organisations cover the cost of veterinary care, food, and training expenses.

Support available to you

Rest assured: you won't be on this journey alone. Organisations offering fostering programs for therapy dogs provide extensive support, including access to trainers, veterinarians, and a community of fellow foster carers. They're there to guide you through any challenges and celebrate every milestone.

Applying to foster

If you're interested in becoming a foster for a future therapy or guide dog, the first step is reaching out to an organisation like Guide Dogs Australia. They will give you detailed information about their specific requirements, the application process, and what you can expect as part of their fostering community.

Getting involved in fostering future therapy or guide dogs is a significant and incredibly fulfilling commitment. You not only contribute to the puppy's growth and development but also play a part in transforming someone’s life for the better. To learn more about fostering a dog, check out the [Pedigree Help Hub]. 

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