Become a Foster Parent
Help Raise a Life-Changing Partner
Foster parents are the heart of our Service dog program. By opening your home to a future Service dog, you’re helping shape the kind, confident companion that will one day be relied on to increase a future recipient’s independence and confidence by improving their accessibility and providing unconditional support.
What Does a Foster Parent Do?
As a foster, you’ll care for one of our Golden Retriever puppies during a critical stage of their development — typically from 8 weeks to 12 months old.
Your role includes:
Providing a safe, loving home environment
Attending scheduled training sessions in-person
Reinforcing basic obedience and socialization in accordance with our training protocols.
Participating in social access work by exposing the pup to real-world environments (public transit, community spaces, stores, restaurants, etc.)
Offering regular updates to our training team
Maintaining a training log to track progress.
You don’t need to be a dog expert — you do not need to be a dog-training expert. You do need time, patience, consistency, an open mind, and a willingness to follow the training program.
What We Provide
Weekly in-person training classes, held in Mount Albert, are mandatory.
Ongoing support and open communication for any questions you may have
Vet care, food and supplies
Why It Matters
Every foster family that raises a service dog puppy candidate gives hope to someone waiting for a service dog to change their life.
Service dog candidates need to start their public-access training early. With their foster family, puppies learn to:
- ride public transit
- travel calmly in a vehicle
- visit malls, restaurants, stores and offices
- stay calm around crowds, noise and traffic
- have good manners at home
- learn basic obedience
None of this is possible without the love and support of a dedicated foster family.
Before You Apply
These are the factors that need to be considered before you apply:
- You’ll raise a Golden Retriever puppy from about 8 weeks to 12 months old.
- Weekly in-person training classes are mandatory.
- You’ll send regular progress updates and keep a training log.
- A fenced yard is ideal, but potential fosters may still qualify without one.
- Individuals and families will be considered with or without other animals in the house. When other animals are present, a review of those animals will be required.
- Partner Dogs Canada provides veterinary care, food and supplies, and ongoing support.
- When training is complete, your puppy moves on to change someone’s life.
“Saying goodbye is hard… but knowing they’re about to change someone’s life makes it worth it.”
Ready to Foster?
Fill out our Foster Parent Application Form to get started.