Training Dog

Fostering a dog or training for a disabled person?

My mom does not want a dog or cat, and i really love animals. I want to be a vet when i grow up. I would like to get involved in fostering and training dogs that i can keep for a while and then give them to someone in need. I already volenteer at my local shelter with kittens, but i am not old enough to walk the dogs at the shelter. My mom said she would train a dog or foster one. How do i get involved? I also worry about the kill shelters…it is not fair to the puppies! I would take all of them if they would not kill them. I live in NY fyi. How do i help them out and train them or foster them? Feel free to contact me if you want to. Thanks so much for the help and have a great day!

You are such a sweetheart for wanting to foster a homeless dog. You can get involved by searching online for rescues in your area. If you are interested in a certain breed, such as labs (which are often used as seeing eye dogs), almost all rescues are begging for foster families. They always need more. You would keep the dog and try to get him adopted.

If you want to get a dog that will be trained as a working dog for the handicapped, you usually get in touch with a volunteer organization that trains dogs for the handicapped. Usually, it takes 2 years for the dog to become a working dog. You would get a puppy or a rescued dog and you would be responsible for training him his basic manners the first year, then giving him to a trainer who trains him in the seeing eye/helper jobs. The best way to find these organizations is online. I bet there are tons in NY.

I haven’t ever trained a seeing eye dog, but I foster dogs that are adopted,and it is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It’s so great to know you are helping a dog find the good home they deserve. Good luck!

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