Foster a Service Dog in Training (King County)

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Are you a dog lover with room in your home to look after a dog during evenings and weekends? This could be the perfect role for you!

As a Foster for Canine Companions, you’ll be giving a dog in training a loving home while they embark on their journey to become a service dog. You’ll get to see the progress your furry companion is making in their training and be a vital part of their journey, without the commitment of looking after a dog full time. All dogs in professional training are either Labradors, Golden Retrievers, or a mix of these breeds, and they are all over 1.5 years old.

You can drop off/pick up dogs from our training location in SODO Seattle or the service dog shuttle will be at the West Seattle YMCA M-Th 8:20-8:45AM/3:20-3:45PM or talk to us about ridesharing at a central location closer to you. All food, medical care, and resources are supplied to you as the foster.

Q: I have existing pets in my home. Can I still foster?
A: Yes, as long as your pets are friendly and get along with other animals

Q: I have small children in the home. Can I still foster?
A: Yes, the service dogs in professional training are well-behaved and have been socialized to children of all ages

Q: Do I need to know how to train a dog to foster?
A: No, all the training will be done by professional trainers while the dog is at the Puget Sound Field Office.

If you don’t feel you tick every box but are sure this role is the one for you, we’d love to hear from you! We’re always open to suggestions and are very happy to chat with you to find out what’s possible, so please just get in touch at seattleprogram@canine.org. Picking up from work locations throughout King County may be available.