Fostering a Courage Service Dog in training is fun, rewarding and never boring! ​ 
Participating fosters in Minnesota will enjoy the experience of confidently and positively affecting the lives of others through assisting with puppy training.

Puppies will be rotated between foster families every 2-3 months.  This prevents the puppy and foster families from attaching to each other in an unhealthy manner.  It also allows for socialization and desensitization of the puppies to a larger variety of experiences.  This is essential to the development & training of a quality service dog.

​The puppies in our program are English Labs and are acquired from Welcome Home Labs, a breeder located in Bruno, Minnesota.   English Labs are believed to be the most successful service dogs for those with PTSD.  All puppies are temperament tested by a professional trainer and then released to our foster homes.

Courage Service Dogs’ foster training program is available to applicants who:
  • Possess the desire to assist other people.
  • Have a love for dogs. 
  • Display a patient and professional demeanor.
  • Above all, have a POSITIVE attitude.

Additional requirements of fosters include:
  • Attendance at an obedience class once a week.  These classes are completed through The Canine Coach, which has four locations throughout the Twin Cities’ metro area.  Classes are offered at a wide variety of days and times which can work within a flexible schedule.
  • We also like to have our puppies engaged in a “fun” class which can include agility class, rally obedience, Treibball, Luring, Disc Dog, and many other options.
  • Fosters must attend public access training sessions once a month for a 2-hour period.  These classes are conducted by our service dog trainer and include “field trips” to a variety of locations such as restaurants, stores, airports, amusement parks, community events, and other fun places.  This is also a great time to discuss any obedience issues with our trainer.
  • Fosters are also required to work on public access training during their own time.  In Minnesota, service dogs in training are allowed to go anywhere a fully trained service dog is allowed. This means you can take your puppy in training with you to malls, grocery stores, doctor appointments, hotels, and even your job. The more places the better!  You will be instructed on how to engage in public access training and 1-1 support is also available until you feel comfortable with the experiences.

Each Foster Training Family receives:
  • A healthy, temperament tested puppy to foster within their home.
  • Paid medical care for their foster puppy.
  • Dog crate, bowls, leash, collars, and toys for the foster puppy.
  • All required food and training treats for the foster puppy.
  • Monthly instruction on dog training and behavioral management.
  • The availability of replacement foster care for short vacations and family emergencies.
  • Continuous support and guidance from Courage Service Dogs and/or advising professionals.
  • The joy of assisting a Minnesota veteran, law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other emergency service worker diagnosed with PTSD as a result of their service and sacrifices to the citizens in our communities.
Fosters must be willing to supply:
  • A loving, safe environment to house the dog. (Apartments are okay.)
  • Committed participation in our specialized foster training program.
  • The ability to introduce the puppy to a wide variety of experiences. You will be instructed and supported while learning to desensitize your puppy to a variety of  public locations.

If you are interested in becoming involved in our foster training program AND meet all qualifications and requirements, please fill out the application below and submit to info@CourageServiceDogs.org.
Obedience Training
Public Access Work
Agility Fun Class