Foster Dog Dorms--Update 1

This is so exciting! Stephens College has allowed foster dogs in dorms.  This is the Q and A part of an article by Jacques Steinburg titled Colleges Extend the Welcome Mat to Students' Pets.  I wonder if I can contact Deb Duran, student services vice president of Stephens College, and see how this idea was implemented at the college.

Regarding foster dog dorms, if a humane society is located on or just next to a campus, I see the benefits as being even greater.  The "Freshman 15" might be reduced if students could volunteer to walk dogs in a dog park on campus. For students concerned about the university going to the dogs, this could be one of many designated spots for dogs and volunteers would be expected to clean up after their dogs.

And, ah, here's a neat article titled Exploring the Health Benefits of Pets.

This would allow students to try out fostering, maybe for a weekend, and be able to easily bring the dog back to the humane society if it doesn't work.  For foster dog dorms to be successful, it can't be a nuisance or impede with students' studying.  Also, fostering should be a rewarding experience, and having the close partnership of a humane society will help.

If there was an elementary school near the campus, elementary students could get involved as well with the humane society. They can get tours from college volunteers and learn about responsible pet ownership. They can learn what to do if they're out walking and see a strange dog.  A class could "adopt" a foster dog in the humane society by helping raise donations for it so it gets a nice bed or new collar and lead. They could get pictures of the dog to keep in the classroom.

Used Book Store--The Idea

There could be a used book store affiliated with the pet rescue, and profits would go to help  fund the rescue. To encourage book donations, the bookstore could have a pickup service for people who want to donate books. That would be convenient, especially if it is a college student who is moving and does not have a car. The store could also take used furniture, so customers have cozy places to lounge and read.

In a portion of the store, there could be an area where children can read to dogs. This has been done before in libraries, with great success for children who are struggling with reading. Dogs don't stop them if they mispronounce a word, and dogs are excellent listeners. This would also benefit the dogs as they would be having calm socialization (in contrast to the romps they typically have with volunteers), and this would help make them adoptable. Of course, the dogs would need to be temperament tested and have an adult with them at all times.

Also like a library, this store would offer story time. Except, unlike many library programs, story time would be in the evening. This allows working parents to take their children. Since the bookstore is near a college, Elementary Education majors could be encouraged to volunteer (and perhaps get credit) to read to the children. This would also help sales of the books by bringing customers into the store.

Foster Dog Dorms--The Idea

Think of the benefits if university students had a dorm where they could foster dogs (taking care of them until they find permanent homes). Students are busy, but they have flexible schedules, which makes responsible students ideal for helping crate train or housebreak dogs. It also helps students develop responsible behaviors by caring for a dog and combat the loneliness that often accompanies moving away and going to college.

As a foster, the long-term planning of how to keep a dog is not an issue. If the rescue does not euthanize (for space), this will lessen the guilt students may feel when they need to stop fostering. The possibilities are endless as to how a pet shelter could work with the university. Architecture and Building Construction majors could help design a shelter that minimizes noise.

If there was a vet school at this university, students could help with basic vetting (spay/neuter, microchips, shots). If there's a medial school, perhaps some dogs could serve as therapy dogs.

All this involvement in the community would encourage people to stop by the shelter and adopt.