Foster a Puppy In Training

Help Us Raise a K9 Hero

The Penn Vet Working Dog Center raises and trains detection dogs who will serve our communities in the areas of search and rescue, law enforcement, and public health and safety.

Meet Sarah Gally

Sarah Gally started at the Working Dog Center in 2020 where she completed her Drexel Co-op focused on Applied Behavior. After that, she returned as a volunteer and Kennel Lead — she is now the Foster Program Coordinator where she has the pleasure of working with all the PVWDC Foster Families.

Phone: (215) 898-2200

Email: wdcinfo@vet.upenn.edu

How Our Program Works

Puppies are donated at eight weeks of age and are enrolled in the Working Dog Center Puppy Foundation Program for approximately 10 to 18 months
During this time, the dogs attend school Monday through Friday at the WDC, located at 3401 Grays Ferry Avenue in Philadelphia, PA.
Before/after school and on weekends, our dogs live with and are cared for by their foster families. Fosters drop their dogs off at the Working Dog Center daily between 7:00 – 8:30 am and pick them up between 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
You can apply to be a full-time Foster (commitment 12 to 18 months) or a back-up Foster (commitment six months minimum).

What it Means to be a Foster Family

You must be willing to follow WDC training methods and protocols and give your foster dog new experiences to enhance their environmental and social exposure.
You must be willing to give up WDC Foster dog to their working career and handler at the end of their training.
The WDC provides Foster Families with all the information and training necessary to be a successful Foster.
The WDC provides all supplies and medical care for the WDC dog you are fostering.