It is great you are considering helping us with fostering, good fosters are vital to our organisation; this is really where YOU can make the difference.
Fostering is a real commitment so do consider it seriously as whilst it is extremely rewarding, it, especially in the beginning, is not always plain sailing. We need people with amazing patience to let the dog settle in.
Rescue dogs may have baggage and suffered trauma so considerable patience is needed eg. separation anxiety, howling at night and being ‘clingy’ and needy until they feel a bit more confident. This isn’t all of their potential issues by any means but unfortunately whilst we will select the most suitable candidates from rescue IT CAN HAPPEN!
The fostering period makes a huge difference to the dogs and your help makes it so much easier for us to match the dog to a Veteran. We will need your input just as much as the trainers’ input who will work alongside you.
Initially, our rescue dogs will be placed with a foster, for a thorough assessment and basic training given by a dog trainer, after this period the dog will be moved to the Veteran to complete their PTSD training.
What you need to be successful at fostering;
- be based in the areas of Hampshire/West Sussex or Somerset/Dorset or Essex
- be able to attend training classes & have your own transport (we can pay for travel expenses)
- be open to people visiting you for a home-check and visits from a trainer
- be extremely committed
- be patient and kind with the rescue dog and able to follow through with training exercises
- have dog experience
- be interested in positive reward based dog training
You must be able to love this dog as your own but also love him or her enough to let go when the time is right, you would be vital to us, but more importantly to the person with PTSD who’s life will be changed because of your kindness.
We will provide you with all the basic care needs (including food) and will cover any veterinary bills and transport costs.
If you already have dogs, please don’t let that stop you from applying, we will always consider you!
Interested?
Please leave your details here – and we will get in touch at the earliest opportunity!