Wow thank you so much for your replies and suggestions.
Hockey thank you for your help and if I do this I will take you up probably on it. I know one has to be consistent with training.
JD I never thought of a puppy raising for a person with a disability. I had always thought that took more of an expertise. That would be super hard I feel like to part with after a year. Though you know you are helping someone who has a very hard life
Jaded I had thought they try to place based on what is a good fit for the parent to be too.
Sunrise did you mean for yourself to get an assistance dog? I know there are some here on the boards who have them and find them so helpful. Some though trained them to be assistance dogs. Before the foster idea I had read up about adopting a retired foster dog.
If I did not have my neuro condition I would do this for sure but my fear is that I am going to have a hard time on bad days. I babysat my moms dog and I was able to do it but when I was feel so ill from pain it was hard. Also that I am going to get a dog that jumps on me and my leg can't tolerate a finger on it without it hurting. That is why a small dog only because I can't be dragged. I would really enjoy giving back and the company though. Well will see.

Not to highjack this thread, but do you have more information about this? You could pm me if so.
Thank you!
Sunrise

Hi Sunshine and welcome to NT!

You might want to check out Carolina Canines. Among other things, they need folks to help foster therapy pups for wounded veterans. carolinacanines.org

Cheers

Wow! Then I would be doing 2 good things! I have been wanting to do something for the vets but haven't been able to figure out what or how.
Do you recommend or have experience with Carolina Canines?

Thank you,
Sunrise

Daniella, Yes I was thinking of a therapy dog for myself. Like you, the aloneness and pain are so draining of spirit.
A retired assistance dog is a good suggestion. Thanks!

I think dog-sitting would be hard to compare to fostering. Not that I am making light of the pain! Lord no! But the bond you would create! And love conquers so much. It reminds me of say, baby sitting, versing having your own baby. The love somehow allows us to endure so much more than we could ever do as a sitter.
I had never experienced unconditional love until I owned my first cat. One night he got stuck 20 feet up in a tree. In freezing sleet, the wind blowing 30 mile gusts, day turned into night. Yet *somehow* I stood out there for 3 and a half hours until a tree-trimmer came to get him down. That would be impossible for me to do under normal circumstances due to pain. And I didn't really feel the same pain I would normally. I was too busy feeling horrible for my cat.
Reminds me of the stories I've heard about mothers having incredible physical strength in a child crisis, being able to lift a car, or whatever, when they normally would not.

Sunrise

Hi Sunrise,

I'm Canadian, so I don't have firsthand experience with the therapy group in North Carolina.

I enjoyed fostering therapy pups. However, it is very emotional when you have to let them go. Still, I knew how much they were going to improve the lives of their new owners. By the way, some pups don't pass the final training and the foster families are often given the first opportunity to adopt the "rejects."

Sometimes therapy groups place more conditions on a home than regular rescues. For example, I had to have a fenced yard. They also often prefer busy people who will take the pup to many different places everyday. I'm too housebound to foster therapy dogs now.
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I am, however, lucky enough to have been adopted by two wonderful dogs.
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Cheers




Cheers

Hey all. I agree that fostering would be amore kind hearted loving thing to do then dog sitting. I also agree having to give up the animal in many cases would be hard. This is especially if the animal is in your home for a long time. Some humane society type places it seems short term from a week to a month. Where as I would think training a disability dog would be more long term. I went to this organization yesterday that I thought had dog adoptions and could ask about fostering but they only had cats.

I have worked in shelters for years, and fostering is a great program, but it can be sad and hard too.
I fostered seven cats from my shelter, and ended up keeping number 7! I recently took on a kitten who needed a leg amputation so that I could rehab her.

Whether or not you get a dog or cat, it can help you immensly. Maybe it you let them know what you are able to do, they could set you up with someone that it appropriate. Or, some shelters have programs where you can pick them up when they close for the day, and return them to the shelter during the day so that they can be visible for adoption.

Dog sitting for friends/family can also be a slow way to get into doing this type of thing. If you see it more as a temporary job as opposed to forever, it can help when they go on to their new homes.
Regardless, it is one of those things where you get the love, and companionship and they get to have a break from the shelter and that time can help them get adopted quicker.

Good luck!