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.
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