Tulsa Organization Looking For Families To Help Train Service Dogs

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- How'd you like to be a foster family for an adorable ball of fluff that will eventually grow up to be someone's hero? Sound like something you'd like? Many will volunteer but only a few will qualify.

It sounds easy. All you have to do is volunteer to care for and help train puppies. But not so fast dog lovers.

"Raising our pups and training our pups is quite a bit different than raising and training your own pup," said Susan Hartman.

Hartman is the executive director of Therapetics, an organization that trains dogs to assist people with physical disabilities or limitations.

"They help that person be as independent as possible," Hartman said.

The training part for the foster families who get these puppies means attending regular training sessions, and taking the dog with you wherever you go for the two years you have it.

Harmony McDaniel is the dog manager at Therapetics. She brought the puppies in to get weighed.

Harmony also handles Grace, the puppies' mother and a trained service dog. Grace is like the Therapetics ambassador, presenting demonstrations all over the community.

The puppies will take a temperament test, kind of their final pre-training exam. Their formal training will begin later this fall, and then in two years they will graduate to a life of service.

The puppies will probably be available at the end of October. If you'd like to participate, call Therapetics at 270-4226.