Paws With A Cause | Raise a Future Assistance Dog

Future Assistance Dogs have a large job in front of them and need to be brought up in a warm, loving environment if they are to grow into the exceptional dogs they must be. The PAWS Foster Puppy program needs the help of responsible individuals and families to raise these special animals in stimulating environments full of love, attention, exposure and socialization.

Our Foster Puppy Program is designed to give puppies the early experience they need to be someone's reliable companion. Puppies are placed with their volunteer Foster Family until they are ready to begin formal training, usually between the ages of 12 to 18 months. While the Foster Home will be supplied with a list of responsibilities, the most important responsibility is to provide love and care. All that is required is reliability, a willingness to learn, and the desire to help someone else.

If you or someone you know is interested in the Foster Puppy program, the first step is to request an information packet about the Foster Puppy program. The packet offers you complete information regarding your responsibilities as a volunteer raiser, as well as the responsibilities of PAWS to support you in this wonderful endeavor.

Foster Puppy Orientations for prospective Raisers are held at both the Southeastern Michigan Regional Office in Troy, MI and at National Headquarters in Wayland, MI.

The next orientation for the Southwest Michigan area will be Monday, May 14th at 6 PM at PAWS Canine Development Facility.

The next orientations for the Southeast Michigan area will be on Tuesday, May 22nd at 6 PM at our SE SE Regional Offie located at 1349 Piedmont in Troy or Tuesday, May 14th at 6 PM at Haggerty Elementary located at 13770 Haggerty Road in Belleville.

Prospective raisers only need to attend one orientation session. Orientations are a great way to learn about the Foster Puppy Program, talk to current Raisers and ask questions of PAWS staff members.

Once you've made the decision to raise a future Assistance Dog, please complete the Prospective Raiser Home Interview form. This form will be reviewed by PAWS Foster Puppy staff members and you will be contacted regarding your future as a Foster Puppy Raiser.

Thank you for your interest in raising future Assistance Dogs and helping to provide Lifetimes of Independence to people with disabilities. 

The next orientations for Prospective Puppy Raisers in the Southeastern Michigan area will be held on Tuesday, May 14th at 6 PM at Haggerty Elementary in Belleville or Tuesday,  May 22nd  at 6:00 PM at our SE MI Regional Office.  The Southeastern Michigan Paws With A Cause Regional Office is located at 1349 Piedmont, Troy, MI, 48083.  Please contact Julie Thorington, National Foster Puppy Coordinator for more information or to RSVP for the Southeastern Michigan Foster Puppy Orientation session at 800-253-7297 or Jthorington@pawswithacause.org.

The next orientations for Prospective Puppy Raisers in Southwest Michigan will be held on Monday, May 14th at  6:00 PM at PAWS Canine Development Center, 4646 South Division, Wayland MI 49348. Directions to SW Orientation. The Canine Development Facility can be reached by following the above directions, taking Ingle Drive which runs alongside the south side of PAWS, and following to the end. PAWS facility has three buildings on campus. The orientation will be in the back building, the third building on your right as you drive down Ingle Drive. Please contact Julie Thorington, National Foster Puppy Coordinator, for more information or to RSVP for the Southwestern Michigan Foster Puppy Raiser Orientation at jthorington@pawswithacause.org  or 800-253-7297.

To receive additional information, please see our Contact Us page.