Foster Puppy Trainers

Carolina Canines offers foster trainer programs in Wilmington, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC.

Puppies are placed in volunteer foster homes for socialization and basic training.

Foster puppy trainers are individuals, couples or families who volunteer to raise a service dog puppy in their home up to 24 months.  

Socialization and tolerance of children and other animals (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) is an important aspect of a service dog puppy’s training.

If you are interested in becoming a foster puppy parent and live in the vicinity of Wilmington, NC or Myrtle Beach, SC click here to view and print an application and foster puppy parent agreement.

Foster puppy parents must commit to the following:

• Provide indoor shelter, food, water, grooming, care and humane treatment to meet the basic needs of the puppy
• Attend training classes and socialization outing with the puppy as scheduled and follow CCFS training guidelines and protocol
• Promote the mission of CCFS by providing community education regarding disability awareness and service dog information as the opportunities arise when out in public with their service dog puppy
• Financial responsibility for any and all food, supplies and veterinary care the puppy requires while in their care; they may seek sponsors for this support.
• Understand that the puppy belongs to CCFS and the requirement to relinquish the puppy and any equipment or supplies belonging to the program immediately upon notice.

CCFS trainers provide group and individual training sessions at weekly classes and are available to offer advice and guidance 24 hours a day.

Giving up a puppy after it has been a part of a foster family for 24 months is not easy - but it can be done. Foster families have the opportunity to meet individuals who have service dogs and learn what a difference a service dog makes in their lives.  

A loving, committed foster family is the key to a puppy’s success in becoming a life-long partner and helpmate for a person with a disability who might otherwise never experience the level of mobility and independence a service dog offers.