RAISE A PUPPY, CHANGE A LIFE

A Foster Puppy Raiser helps a person living with a disability by raising a dog that will enhance their independence and quality of life. Foster Puppy Raisers volunteer to raise a PAWS Puppy for 12-18 months, until it’s old enough to begin formal Assistance Dog training. During that time, the puppy lives in a Raiser’s home while they teach basic obedience and expose the dog to public environments it may experience with a client. Here are a few things a prospective Raiser should know:

Requirements

• Have a love for dogs and the desire to help people
• Live in or around one of these locations:
• West Michigan
• Southeast MI
• Lansing, MI
• Ludington, MI
• Saginaw, MI
• Phoenix, AZ
• Chicago, IL

Responsibilities

• Love and care for your PAWS Puppy
• Provide your Foster Puppy with a safe home and a loving family for 12-18 months
• Meet the puppy’s daily exercise and nutrition needs
• Attend weekly training classes at your local PAWS Puppy Club led by a PAWS Field Representative
• Work on training and basic commands at home
• Keep the puppy’s vaccinations and heartworm medications up to date

Become a PAWS Foster Puppy raiser in three easy steps

This is a great way to learn about the Foster Puppy Program! During your information session, you will have the opportunity to talk to and ask questions of PAWS staff members. Prospective Foster Puppy Raisers must complete the online application prior to attending a virtual info session. Please RSVP.

UPCOMING INFO SESSIONS

Location

PAWS SE MI Regional Office
3208 Crooks Road, Royal Oak

Wayne County Community College
Western Campus
Multi-Purpose Room
9555 Haggerty Rd., Belleville, MI 48111

Village Oaks Elementary 

23333 Willowbrook Dr, Novi, MI 48375

RSVP

Julie Thorington
jthorington@pawswithacause.org

As you join PAWS on this journey, we want you to know we’re partnering with you from the beginning, every step of the way.

At the information session or shortly afterward, you’ll be contacted by PAWS to arrange a home visit. This is our opportunity to answer any additional questions you have and see the environment the dog will be living in. We’re checking to see that it’s a safe, pet-friendly environment. It also allows us to give advice about feeding, crating and letting the dog out as you prepare to be home for a Foster Puppy.

Please note: PAWS’ goal is to have a safe environment for our puppies. In order to ensure that, PAWS conducts a criminal history background check for all prospective PAWS’ volunteers.

We retain the right to determine whether or not to engage a prospective volunteer who has a criminal history. When making a decision whether or not to allow service by a prospective volunteer with a criminal history, PAWS will consider:

• The nature and gravity of the offense or conduct
• The time that has passed since the offense/conduct and/or the sentence
• The nature of the volunteer position sought

 

Background checks may take up to two weeks to complete and must be completed by everyone that is 18 years or older living in the household. You are NOT required to complete a background check in order to attend an orientation.

Please send your Background Screening Authorization form via email to Julie at jthorington@pawswithacause.org

Once a Volunteer is approved and a PAWS Dog is available, PAWS will contact you to make arrangements to place the dog in your home.

Background Check Policy FAQ
Fair Credit Reporting Act – Summary of Rights
Background Screening Authorization Form

FOSTER PUPPY RAISER LOG-IN

Foster Puppy Raisers Log-in