Become a foster family
BECOMING A FOSTER FAMILY
Fostering a future service dog means welcoming a dog in training into your home and caring for it on our behalf. During their stay, we provide food and medical care until they are ready for the next stage of training. As a foster family, you will help socialize the dog and train for the basics. Our dogs are all large breeds, including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. Although fostering is temporary, many families choose to do it knowing they are making a lasting impact on a dog's future and on someone in need. Think you're a good fit? Download the application below. Questions before applying? Feel free to reach us at [email protected]
fOSTER FAMILY program Eligibility criteria
- Capable of committing for a period ranging from a couple of months to two years.
- Demonstrate patience and a commitment of time.
- Ability to not leave the service dog no more than 4 hours a day;
- Daily monitoring of the service dog in training as needed;
- Ability to accommodate time for training sessions and medical care as needed.
- Ability to travel to Laval.
What we provide
Access Letters
The foundation will provide you with access letters for the public. We require you leave the dog alone for no more than 4 hours a day.
All Veterinary Care
All pre-approved veterinary care will be covered at partner clinics of the Asista Foundation.
Food and accessories for the dog
All food and accessories such as a cage, a leash and bowls will be covered by the foundation.
The application process
1. Consult the program eligibility criteria
Before moving forward, take a moment to carefully consult the program's eligibility criteria. Then, have a discussion with your family to see if fostering a future service dog aligns with your lifestyle. Consider whether you can incorporate this important commitment into your daily routine and make sure it’s something everyone is on board with.
2. Applying by filling out our application form
Once you've reviewed the eligibility criteria and discussed fostering with your family, the next step is to complete our application form. This will allow us to better understand your motivations and any previous experience in dog education, helping us assess your readiness to become a foster family. Be sure to provide all the necessary details so we can better understand your home environment and commitment.
3. Interview Stage
After submitting your application, we’ll schedule an interview to learn more about you and your family. This is a great opportunity for us to get to know you better, discuss your experience with dogs, and ensure that fostering a future service dog is the right fit for your home. We’ll also answer any questions you may have about the program and the fostering process.
4. Notice of decision
After the interview, we will carefully review your application and interview responses. You will then receive a notice of our decision. If you're selected to become a foster family, we’ll provide you with the next steps to begin your fostering journey. If we determine that the fit isn't right at this time, we'll let you know and keep your information on file for future opportunities.
5. Onboarding
Once you're approved as a foster family, we’ll guide you through the onboarding process. This includes providing you with all the necessary training materials, resources, and support to ensure you’re fully prepared to welcome and care for your future service dog. We’ll also introduce you to our team and answer any remaining questions to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
6. Placement
Placement is based on the dogs available and the needs of the program. It can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, depending on the candidates we evaluate. We will match you with a dog that best fits your environment and family dynamic, ensuring the most successful fostering experience possible.