About Us: Foster Friends

Foster Friends help bring out the best in our rescued dogs. Foster Friends are our essential training partners! Our trainers work closely with all of our foster volunteers so that together, volunteers and trainers can work with dogs who might otherwise be removed from the program due to kennel stress. Dogs for the Deaf Foster Friends help these dogs have a much better chance to successfully complete their training and be placed in loving homes where they give the gifts of freedom and companionship.

FAQ:

1. How long do I keep a Foster Dog?

There are three types of Foster Friends:

1. Primary Foster Friends who take a dog for up to six months while they complete Hearing Dog Certification.

2. Respite Foster Friends who take dogs for short periods of time due to planned circumstances such as medical procedures, vacations, business trips, etc.

3. Emergency Foster Friends who take dogs at a moment's notice for short periods of time while other fostering arrangements are made.

2. Am I responsible for any costs in connection with my Foster Dog?

Dogs for the Deaf pays all planned and emergency vet costs, and provides the foster dog's daily food. Foster Friends are asked to provide any extras, such as treats or additional toys, beyond those that come with the Foster Dog when they are placed.

3. Do I have to live close to the campus to be a Foster Friend?

If dogs are in training every day we like to keep them within a 40 mile radius of our campus in Central Point, OR. If trainers are flexible, or if the dog is going into an alternate program that doesn't require daily training, we can place dogs at a greater distance. Generally, though, we like to keep our dogs within a forty five minute drive of our Central Point location.

4. I am single and live in an apartment, can I be a Dogs for the Deaf Foster Friend?

Yes! Some dogs do better in a single person household, and if a volunteer is willing to get their foster dog out on a regular basis, backyards can be negotiable.

5. I have children and/or pets, can I be a Dogs for the Deaf Foster Friend?

Trainers establish on an individual basis whether or not children and pets contribute to a good home environment for dogs in training. Some dogs need that kind of exposure, others do better without. If you have more than one dog or very young children living in your home chances are it would be a long wait for an appropriate foster dog.

6. If my Foster Dog doesn't make it through the program and becomes available for adoption do I have priority as an adopter?

All Foster Friends are required to go through the same adoption process as any potential adopter. Please keep in mind that if you adopt a dog your availability as a Foster Friend will be affected. If you are considering fostering with us in order to find a dog to adopt please be aware that most of our dogs go into one of our three programs and are rarely available for adoption as pets.

7. Fostering won't work for me but are there other opportunities to play with dogs and support the work of Dogs for the Deaf?

Absolutely! There are many volunteer opportunities at Dogs for the Deaf, just call us at (541) 826-9220, or email info@dogsforthedeaf.org. If you want to get down and dirty with the dogs ask for Linda. If you are more of an office person who wants to pat a dog on the head from time to time and help with mailings, filing, or various office duties, ask for Judi R.

Thanks for your interest in the Dogs for the Deaf Foster Friend Program.

Our Hearing Dogs are waiting to hear from you!