I am a foster carer for Support Dogs, an organisation based in Sheffield that trains Disability assistance dogs, Seizure alert dogs and Autism assistance dogs. It is a role I love and altho it is hard when a dog moves on it really helps to keep the frame of mind that you are one step in the dogs training to give someone a higher quality of life. The difference that these dogs make to people makes me really proud to be involved. I have been kept up to date with the progress of all my previous fosters. My first qualified at the end of last year, my second is doing his client training very successfully, 3 others have begun their task work training and I have just received my 6th dog and youngest so far.
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Originally Posted by lauz_1982
Saying that though some dogs just aren't meant to be guide dogs and although there are trained very, very well they just don't work out. The one my mother in laws colleague has at the moment is a complete nutter and I have no idea how the poor guy makes it into work in one piece every day! He's attached to it but he still may have to give it up which isn't so good. He'd make a great pet but very unfocused for working!
Laura  |
Your mother-in-laws collegue could be reassured to know that if he does have to part with his dog he may still be able to make a difference to someones life. Support Dogs regularly take on ex guide dogs if they cannot make the guide dog requirements. My first foster was an ex guide dog that lacked motivation. Even if he is a complete nutter there is hope as my second foster was mad as a hatter but his enthusiasm has meant that he picked up his task work incredibly quickly.