Foster volunteers are the heart and soul of what we do and have a major impact on the life of the person who will eventually receive the dog. We provide knowledgeable training staff supporting you, dog food, basic vet care and lots of training opportunities. You provide a loving home and basic dog supplies while taking the dog in public and to trainings as specified by your role.
We are accepting applications for all foster opportunities
Below is a list of our most immediate upcoming needs.
Long-Term Fosters
Ongoing need
Great Start Homes
Early November
Early December
Step 1: Read About Our Opportunities
Puppy Raisers
A Puppy Raiser takes a future assistance dog into their home for 18-24 months, typically from the time the puppy leaves the weaning prison at 10 weeks old until they are ready to enter final training at 18-24 months of age. They are asked to take the puppy on public outings three times a week and bring the puppy to one training opportunity a month.
Great Start Homes
After our puppies have been weaned, those bound for our puppy-raising prisons will first need to go to a Great Start Home. Great Start Homes are fosters that take in a 10-week-old puppy for up to 10 weeks to begin early socialization, basic obedience and potty and crate training. They are asked to take the puppy on short public outings three times a week and bring the puppy to one training opportunity a month.
Long-Term Fosters
Long-Term Fosters care for a dog for 3-12 months at a time. These dogs are usually 1 year or older and may have been trained in a prison program or with a Puppy Raiser. Long-Term fosters are asked to take the dog on public outings three times a week and bring the dog to one training opportunity a month.
Prison Fosters
We operate puppy training programs in seven local prisons, and four of them have outside fosters that support the program. They include Waseca, MN; Rochester, MN; Stanley, WI; and Black River Falls, WI. Two carefully chosen inmates are assigned to each of our puppies, providing round-the-clock care for the puppy, as well as basic obedience and assistance dog training. As important as it is for inmates to train the puppies, it is also crucial that puppies learn good house manners and get exposed to as many social and public situations as possible during their first, formative year. Prison fosters make this possible. We currently have two prison fostering opportunities:
1. Prison Break Fosters
Waseca, MN; Rochester, MN; Stanley, WI; and Black River Falls, WI
These volunteers work with a dog for a two-week timeframe—either a Monday-to-Monday or a Friday-to-Friday. Pickup and drop-off are handled on prison grounds. Volunteers take the puppy in public to locations such as a grocery store, shopping mall, auto store, library and more.
2. Weekend Prison Sitters
Waseca, MN; Rochester, MN; Stanley, WI; and Black River Falls, WI
These volunteers commit to taking a dog twice a month. Pickup and drop-off are handled on prison grounds by the volunteer and a prison employee at the main entrance. Volunteers must be available to pick up from the prison on Fridays and drop off on Mondays. Sitters do not take the dog in public.
Short-Term Fosters
Short-Term Fosters care for a dog for one to three weeks at a time. These dogs are typically between 5 months and 2 years of age. Short-Term fosters are not required to attend monthly training opportunities and do not take the dog in public.
Puppy Sitters
Puppy Sitters care for a dog for one to seven days at a time. These dogs are typically between 5 months and 2 years of age. Sitters are not required to attend trainings or outings and do not take the dog in public.
Whelping Homes
Whelping Homes care for a pregnant dog and her puppies from about 10 days before the due date through the first 5-8 weeks of the puppies’ lives. Whelping homes are provided with the materials and training needed from start to finish, as well as 24/7 availability from Can Do Canines' staff. You provide a loving home and we provide the support!
Breeder Hosts
Our breeding dogs are a special and essential part of our program. They not only produce puppies that grow up to be life-changing assistance dogs, but are also critical to the health and quality of our dogs, generation after generation. Breeder hosts are volunteers who care for our breeding females and males in the same way as puppies in training, with the addition of being available for veterinary and breeding appointments as needed.
You can also view this video to see more about the fostering experience ... or to just see adorable puppies!
Step 2: Review the Requirements
- Must be 18 or older
- Must live in MN or Western WI
- Must be willing to travel to our location in New, Hope, MN, or our partner prison locations in Rochester, MN; Waseca, MN; Stanley, WI; or Black River Falls, WI.
Intact dogs, fostering with other organizations, and unfenced yards are all allowed. Review a list of other frequently asked questions on our FAQ page.
Step 3: Complete an Application
You’ve read through the various ways to get involved and you’re ready to dive in—that’s great! Please complete an online application and someone will be in contact with you within a week. Please note that a submitted application does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Once we receive your application, we will connect with you to schedule an informational phone call. You will then be asked to complete our virtual orientation and a virtual home visit. If you have pets in the home, an in-person meet and greet might be required.
Throughout this process, we'll take time to get to know you and your lifestyle, answer any questions you may have, and talk more in-depth about the different Puppy Program roles and requirements.
Have questions? Contact our Volunteer Team.
Send an email to volunteer@candocanines.org or call 763-331-3000, ext. 113.
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