The YP Christmas Appeal: The ‘priceless’ rewards of being a Support Dogs foster carer

THE HELP an assistance dog can provide to someone with a disability, autism or epilepsy, is invaluable.
Foster carer Simon Webb with Sophie Millar and Hutch at Support Dogs in Sheffield. Picture Scott MerryleesFoster carer Simon Webb with Sophie Millar and Hutch at Support Dogs in Sheffield. Picture Scott Merrylees
Foster carer Simon Webb with Sophie Millar and Hutch at Support Dogs in Sheffield. Picture Scott Merrylees

For the charity that provides them here in Yorkshire, there is a whole team of dedicated volunteers and staff making the relationship between assistance dog and owner happen - including foster carers.

Sheffield-based Support Dogs, the focus of this year’s Yorkshire Post Christmas Appeal, is in need of more foster carers to provide a home for dogs to stay over evenings and weekends while they take part in their training at the specialist centre near Meadowhall. As it does not use kennels, each of the trainee dogs needs somewhere to stay to relax during their training period.

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Simon Webb, 53, a purchasing manager from Barnsley, began foster caring with Support Dogs earlier this year, with his partner. The couple had always wanted a dog, but could not commit as they both work away from home.

Foster carer Simon Webb with Hutch at Support Dogs in Sheffield. Picture Scott MerryleesFoster carer Simon Webb with Hutch at Support Dogs in Sheffield. Picture Scott Merrylees
Foster carer Simon Webb with Hutch at Support Dogs in Sheffield. Picture Scott Merrylees

“Being a foster carer with Support Dogs gave us the perfect opportunity of adding a pet to our family, with all the convenience of needing to go to ‘school’ at the Support Dogs training centre, during working hours,” Mr Webb said. “The knowledge that we would also be helping someone who will eventually benefit from the skills that the dog is being taught, was also a major plus.”

Dogs stay with a foster carer from anything between a couple of weeks to almost year.

“Ultimately we are the play family - so we get all the fun parts, long walks and lots of play,” said Mr Webb. “And we get regular tips and advice from the trainers should they want a dog to concentrate on a particular skill.

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“Support dogs provide everything a dog will need including food, leads, bedding and food bowls. So the only requirement from us is time - to take and collect from school, to play and most importantly, to enjoy and love.

“Many people ask us how can we possibly then give up a dog that we grow attached to - and the honest answer is that it is difficult. However, the rewards you get from watching a dog develop new skills, that in turn will mean someone can live a life that some take for granted, is priceless.

“Toffee, the dog we have been fostering this year, will always be part of lives and we will look forward to watching on after he has “left home” and started his new life as a qualified support dog.”

Support Dogs is particularly short of ‘stay at home’ foster carers, who do not work and can be with the dog throughout the day. This is to provide a home for a dog that is currently unable to train at the charity’s centre, possibly because it is a little too young to start its formal training. Ideally, foster carers will live no more than one hour from the centre in Sheffield.

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Sophie Miller, of Support Dogs’ training team said, “Once qualified the dogs will be living and working in a home environment and so we naturally want to ensure that they are comfortable with this throughout their training.”

To find out more visit www.supportdogs.org.uk or contact 0114 261 7800. The Yorkshire Post is aiming to raise £20,000 to pay for the training of an assistance dog. Find out more at www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/appeal

How to get involved

■ You can bid for an array of exciting and unusual gifts that are available now in our charity auction.

■ Each week in Saturday’s edition of The Yorkshire Post we will reveal 10 new lots up for grabs. Bidding closes at 5pm the following Friday and then the next day another 10 exciting lots will be unveiled.

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■ To bid visit www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/appeal Keep up to speed with what’s on offer on twitter @yorkshirepost #YPxmasauction and also follow The Yorkshire Post’s facebook page.

OTHER DONATIONS

■ Our online auction is not the only way you can help.

■ You can donate at www.supportdogs.org.uk/donate or Text DOGY15 £5 to 70070 to donate £5

You can also send cheques payable to Support Dogs to Support Dogs, 21 Jessops Riverside, Brightside Lane, Sheffield, S9 2RX

Please make it clear it is for the Yorkshire Post appeal.