Hi

Good to see this new thread!!!!

Hearing Dog puppies, or those older ones in the socialising scheme, also have a leadslip that identifies them and the socialiser is given a letter and ID card that explains they are a Hearing Dog Puppy, so you can take them to lots of places.

In my experience, a lot of socialisers are sad when a dog comes in for training, but it is the same for trainers too, you always know that dog is going on to somewhere else, so you sort of accept the situation.

I know at Hearing Dogs, we would try and give the socilaiser a new puppy asap, unless they wanted a break a for a while to recover!! There is nothing like taking your mind of losing one dog, to getting another puppy to take home.

The trainers also keep in touch with the socialiser receiving updates about their puppies and when they 'pass' as a full working dog, the new owner of the dog is also given the socliasers details, so very often good relationships and friendships are formed between the recipient of the dog and socialiser.

I think fostering/socialising one of the puppies is a great thing to do, everything is provided, from crate to food, leads, toys etc., you get to go to training classes (you also get visits at home) and then the thrill of knowing a young dog you have cared for is going on to help someone who so desperately needs it, is wonderful.

Most charities could not function without them.

As for having two working dogs, Hearing Dogs can have an existing dog (retired) in the home. Usually the older dog has stopped working for some reason, whether deaf now itself, or just lost interest and a young new dog can be placed without too many problems. Obviously if the owner cannot manage two dogs they can either keep their older one until it dies, and will be priority on the list when it does for a new one, or pass it onto a family member, or back to Hearing Dogs, who usually re-home elderly dogs with trainers parents!!!!, or maybe someone older, who would love a dog, but can't take on a young one. There is always a waiting list.

I know that both training centres, Oxford and Yorkshire, hold information days for people who are intersted in becoming socialisers, so they can find out more and speak to people who are already doing it.

Hope this helps.

Kate

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Just because I can't talk, doesn't mean you can't understand me

what about adopting a retired assistance dog? is there any websites?

If you really want to do it then I would contact the individual organisations such as RNIB etc and ask them how you go about it.

Good luck,

Laura

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anyone who is prepared to act as a dog walker or socialising aid for an assistance dog deserves a HUGE box of chocolates, wonderful people.

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These are my own personal views and opinions they do not represent the WCGB.

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.

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.

Hi everyone,

I have sent off my appliaction form to the guide dogs for the blind association to become a puppy walker. I am waiting for them to take up references and arange an interview. I was wondering if anyone who has done this can tell me how long this usually takes (to have an interview)? Also, what kind of questions do they ask? I am so nervous but so passionate about the cause, I really hope I 'pass' and soon have a bundle of fun to socialise.

Thanks for any help,

Clare xxxx

ADAI’s Foster Family program is an integral part of our organization and training program. The life of a service or therapy dog begins in a loving home of one our volunteers. Our volunteer fosters are highly dedicated persons and families who welcome dogs-in-training into their homes. They help us by training one of our dogs house manners, basic obedience and public socialization. The average time commitment is nine months to a year, however the time is dictated by the age of the dog. We place all dogs when they are approximately two years of age, so they are maintained in the foster home environment until the dogs are approximately 20 to 22 months old. The minimum foster time commitment is three to four months. The dog moves to final advanced training at our Education and Training facility for three months of additional training after he completes the foster program.

Are you thinking about becoming a foster parent? Please consider the following questions before making this decision:

Do you have the time (15 to 30 minutes) to train your dog every day?
Are you willing to take the dog out on regular public outings?
Do you have a desire to help an unwanted dog and disabled person?
Do you have a safe area to exercise your trainee?
Does everyone in your household want to participate in this project?
Are you able to follow the ADAI training curriculum?
Are you ready to open your heart and your home to an ADAI dog?

Thanks!!:
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