If you’re a dog lover and looking for a way to support Team Rescue, apply to foster a future service dog!

Why should I foster?

Fosters play a vital role in the Rescue for PTSD. We can only rescue as many dogs and Veterans as we have fosters to house the pups as they prepare for graduation and their new purpose. The Rescue has a long list of Veterans from around the country who qualify and have completed the application process to be paired with a service dog. Our biggest obstacle is not having enough temporary foster homes to provide the TLC and dedicated time to assist in training until the dog is ready to transition to their permanent home.

Being a foster parent to these future service dogs is especially rewarding. Fosters become a part of the Rescue family and get to know the Veteran-family where the foster dog will serve and be loved. Unlike other fostering scenarios, when you foster for the Rescue for PTSD, you will know your foster-pup will be serving their country’s finest and will be extremely loved.

Our fosters are also able to keep up with the service dogs after graduation. The fosters are able to keep in touch with the Veteran and service dog through our closed Facebook group. Many of our fosters and Veterans become as close as family and keep in touch with each other regularly.

There is nothing more rewarding that fostering a future service dog!

What do fosters do?

Caring for a service dog does come with responsibilities. Foster parents do help get our service dogs ready for transition, meaning they help with some of the early steps of training. Our Director of Training, Founder/CEO, and other members of the Rescue Team meet with our fosters, do Zoom calls, and keep in regular contact to make sure they feel confident and comfortable with the role they play in the service-dog-to-be’s training.

Fosters have the following responsibilities:

• Providing daily mental and physical exercise, as well as training prescribed by Team Rescue
• Providing a safe, comfortable, stress-free environment with a balance of love and discipline
• Administering any medications prescribed by a veterinarian and provided by the Rescue for PTSD
• Transporting the dog to a veterinarian as prescribed and paid for by the Rescue for PTSD
• Engaging in weekly training meetings with Team Rescue
• Promoting the Rescue for PTSD in the highest regard when in public and providing honest and clear information to others who inquire about your role as a foster and fostering themselves
• Communicating any behavior or medical issues that may arise with the dog immediately in order for the Rescue to address them
• Speaking up if, at any time, you feel you cannot properly care for your foster dog or have any concerns
• Understanding that the dog remains the property and family member of the Rescue for PTSD and cannot be adopted, rehomed, or sold
• Understanding that the Rescue for PTSD has the right to remove the foster dog from your home at any time

The Rescue for PTSD pays for all expenses related to the support and wellbeing of the foster dog. This includes all food, medicine, veterinary expenses, vitamins, and training materials. Foster care may be for a week, a month, several months, or longer, depending on the needs of the dog and the length of time it takes to properly train the dog. Every dog’s personality and skill set varies. Fosters must be prepared to love and care for their foster pup for as short or long of a time as it takes to get them ready for their new family!

How do I become a foster?

You’re all set to apply? GREAT! Reach out to us at info@rescueforptsd.org for the application and more information. You are also welcome to talk to any fosters in the Rescue family for feedback and advice!