I am sure many of you have seen some type of service dog. For those who have not; a service dog is one that helps anyone with a disability Service Dogs .
How do these dogs become service dogs? There is a group or organization that breeds and trains these dogs before they are selected for placement. After breeding these organizations look for ‘foster families’ in which they take ownership of the pup to socialize, take the organizations puppy classes to get instruction on commands, and of course house training.
After these dogs are placed in the homes with families there is a strong bond that grows right along with the pup growing up. Once the pups are of ‘formal training age’ (about 12 months) the foster families return the dogs to these groups or organizations so that the training can begin. The formal training can take up to another full year!
Tears of sadness are sure to come when you say good bye, but knowing that you are giving someone back their independence makes it all seem worthwhile. You may be asking, ‘But how can anyone raise a puppy then give it back?’ It takes guts and determination to find it in your heart to help someone less fortunate than you while you ‘pay it forward’. Not everyone is cut out to be in a foster program, and that is ok! When you see a service dog working, think of the foster families who raised these little fur balls, then watch the service dog work. Anyone that sees the need to help someone else will surely see the impact and rewarding feelings to see these dogs in action.
Our family is currently a foster family for the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation for the blind. This organization is 50 years old this year and the work that they do to help those in need is very inspiring. Fidelco breeds and trains German Shepard’s and some organizations use Labrador Retrievers. These breeds are very smart and very gentle dogs. 
Things a foster family needs to do:
- House training to relieve themselves outside
- Socialize with lots of people and other pets
- Take them for rides in the car either in their crate or on a short leash
Anchored in the car door so that they are on the floor
- Attend puppy classes to learn new commands that you practice at home
- Body handling: hands on all parts of the body that include feet, nails, ears, tail etc…
- Grooming the puppy by introducing it to brushing, ear cleaning, nail trims
- Give them lots of love, praise and treats for correctly doing something
- Diverting their attention in a situation that may cause their natural instincts to come into play like chasing a car or barking
- Choose a name for the dog
Our current mission is training the puppy to relieve itself on hard pavement. This is an easy way to be sure that if a blind person who may get a guide dog that works in a metro area which has no grass; the dog already knows how to go on pavement. Of course, the individual who receives the dog as their guide dog can easily make that transition from pavement to grass if they should choose to do so.
Foster families are responsible for purchasing food from the organization. Fidelco uses a high protein diet Abady Dog Food. 
Foster’s are also responsible for attending the puppy classes, going on walks with the organization in small metro areas where you will learn new techniques as they help you fine tune the training. Fidelco takes care of all the veterinary needs and is of no cost to the foster families.
I’d like to introduce you to our latest puppy that is almost 10 weeks old. Her name is Luna and she is a real sweetie. So mellow and cuddly that I think this pup will actually make the program. If she does not make the program for some reason, they will ask us first if we would like her back as a pet.
If a family cannot take the pup in as a pet for some reason they move ahead offering the dog to towns and city police departments that have a K-9 unit and even reaching out to Search and Rescue groups. Our first dog became a search and rescue dog. We were not able to keep her since I had a toddler and it just was not fair to the dog or to my family. Our second pup went off to live with another family as a pet. We needed to forfeit the dog because I was pregnant! I have been waiting for the day that we could get involved with ‘raising a hero’ again and that day has arrived!
Important note:
If you see a service dog that is working do NOT go up and touch the dog. You need to ask the owner for permission first. Distracting a dog by petting and talking to it puts the life of the owner in danger because the dog becomes THEIR eyes.
Do you know someone with a service dog? Are you interested in learning more and becoming involved? Please visit The United States Service Dog Registry which is a free registration service and look up facility of service dogs throughout the USA. Includes an explanation of the types of service dogs and their work.
Bissell is holding a Pet Photo Contest. Please vote for Luna! Voting starts on 1/29/2010 
