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Foster Application

We're excited to have you join us! Please complete this form and press "Submit Application" when you're done.
Foster Agreement
No dog is born a service dog, he or she needs to be trained and nurtured. That process begins, quite naturally, when the dog is a puppy, and it requires a dedicated individual.

Being a service dog puppy foster is one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do. Many feel it is so rewarding they do it over and over again. Puppies are usually placed in a foster home around 8 weeks of age.

Depending on the dog's temperament and abilities, it usually goes into formal training when the dog is around 8-13 months of age. After they successfully complete advanced training, they will begin working with potential recipients. Once the perfect match is found, the pair will officially graduate from the Retrieving Freedom organization and go on to be a fully time working service dog for the recipient. 

You do not have to be a dog trainer to be a puppy foster. We have a wonderful group of people in our organization who will help you with every question you could possibly have about your puppy. However, we do have a few requirements you must be able to fulfill. 

You understand and agree that submitting this application form does not automatically register you as a volunteer foster home, and that there may be certain qualifications you must meet, including the acceptance of established volunteer policies and procedures before you may begin volunteering. 

By submitting this form, you also attest that the information you have provided on the form is true and accurate.
Contact Information
Emergency Contact Information
This emergency contact will only be reached out to if RFI is unable to obtain in contact with you directly. 
Volunteer Interests
Full Time Fostering
An individual that assumes the responsibility of a 7-week-old puppy through the age of 12 months or until they are turned in for formal training.
Weekend Fostering
An individual that assumes the responsibility of a dog that is considered in formal training (12 months-24 months) from Friday at 5:00pm until Sunday at 5:00pm.
Teacher Fostering
An individual that assumes the responsibility of a dog that is considered in formal training (12 months-24 months) for a full school day, one day out of the week. This day of the week will be selected by the training staff. 
Breeding Foster
An individual that assumes the responsibility of a dog that is no longer considered in formal training (12 months-24 months). This dog is specifically selected to breed future service dogs in training. 
Home Environment
Past Volunteer References & Experiences
Please provide any volunteer references from other organizations.
Veterinary Information
Retrieving Freedom will provide all required and emergency veterinary care.

Being a nonprofit, any foster that is able to donate more than the required materials, are welcome to take
financial responsibility for veterinary care if they are able and chose to do so. 
  • Option 1: I am choosing to take financial responsibility for my Retrieving Freedom Foster dog(s) and will provide all required veterinary care. By choosing this option, I am able to go to the veterinarian of my choice and I will submit all vet records at time of service to Retrieving Freedom Inc, and acknowledge I will not be financially reimbursed for vet care.
  • Option 2: I am unable to take financial responsibility for veterinary care. Retrieving Freedom will assume financial responsibility for all veterinary care. I recognize I am responsible for turning in all vet records at time of service to Retrieving Freedom. Iowa Fosters will utilize Waverly Veterinary Clinic. Missouri Fosters will utilize Thompson Hills Veterinary Clinic.
Please provide the primary Veterinary Clinic you would be utilizing for primary care and/or emergencies.
Criminal Background
Retrieving Freedom, Inc. may require volunteers who work directly/closely with disabled adults and children recipients/potential recipients and individuals to submit to a background check. Criminal conviction does not necessarily bar an applicant from volunteering. The nature of the offense will be taken into consideration before a decision is made.
Photo, Video, & Recording Release
I, hereby grant permission to Retrieving Freedom, Inc. and its representatives to take photographs or videos of me and to make recordings of my voice at their events or RFI locations at 20360 Tangle Nook Road, Sedalia, Missouri 65301 and 1152 230th Street, Waverly, IA 50677. I understand that there is constant video surveillance at the facility for the use of training service dogs and the behaviors associated with that. These images and videos are included in this consent, waiver, indemnity, and release. I further grant to the producers and their representatives the right to reproduce, use, exhibit, display, broadcast and distribute and create derivative works of these images and recordings in any media now known or later developed. I acknowledge that Retrieving Freedom, Inc., owns all rights to the images and recordings.

I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve the use of the images or recordings or of any written copy. I further waive all moral rights. l also waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the images, recordings, or materials. I hereby release, defend, indemnify and hold harmless the producers from and against any claims, damages or liability arising from or related to the use of the images, recordings or materials, including but not limited to claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, or rights of publicity or copyright infringement, or any misuse, distortion, blurring, alteration, optical illusion or use in composite form that may occur or be produced in taking, processing, reduction or production of the finished product, its publication or distribution. I am competent to contract in my own name. I have read this document before signing below, and I fully understand the contents, meaning and impact of this consent, waiver, indemnity and release. This consent, waiver, indemnity and release is binding on me, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.
Liability Release
Retrieving Freedom, Inc. may require volunteers who work directly/closely with disabled adults and children recipients/potential recipients and individuals to submit to a background check. Criminal conviction does not necessarily bar an applicant from volunteering. The nature of the offense will be taken into consideration before a decision is made.

I indemnify and hold harmless from and against all claims, losses, liabilities, and damage to persons or property, governmental charges or fines and attorneys' fees arising out of the acts or omissions of Retrieving Freedom, Inc. Volunteering, training classes, meetings, or any gathering sponsored by or conducted at Retrieving Freedom, Inc. facilities including but not limited to interactions with instructors, attendees, or animals.

I am willing to execute this agreement which will make sure that anything whatsoever that happens relating to the dogs, their training, or my training with a dog, no matter whose fault it is, will not result in any claims for person injuries or property damages against Retrieving Freedom, Inc., its officers, agents, or employees. 

 By signing this agreement below, I understand and agree to everything in it. If any person, including me, is injured, or any property, including mine, is damaged, I will never make a claim against Retrieving Freedom, Inc., its officers, agents, or employees for personal injuries or property damage relating to my volunteering, the dogs, or their training, I will pay the claims or judgment.
Complaint  Policy & Procedure
Retrieving Freedom, Inc. may require volunteers who work directly/closely with disabled adults and children recipients/potential recipients and individuals to submit to a background check. Criminal conviction does not necessarily bar an applicant from volunteering. The nature of the offense will be taken into consideration before a decision is made.
1. Complaints are to be submitted in writing. An email tot he organization is sufficient. 
2. Provide your relationship with Retrieving Freedom, Inc: Student, Graduate, Foster or Volunteer.
3. Explain all the facts and circumstances surrounding the complaint and what steps have been taken to resolve the matter thus far. 
4. State the correction action that is desired. 

Should an individual have a complaint or concern they should first reach out to their site location Program Coordinator. If they feel that a resolution was not completed at this time, the individual should then reach out to the Unit Director (Missouri) and Training Director (Iowa). If they feel that a resolution still has not been completed, the individual will then contact the Director of Operations. 
Foster Home & Volunteer Conditions

I agree to represent RFI in a moral, ethical and humane way in all that I do while volunteering services for the organization. This includes but is not limited to dress, public appearances, social media (posts), time at the facility, or anywhere I could be considered representing RFI. For foster homes, your dog will be expected to maintain control of itself while in public, you and your animal are representatives of RFI and will be expected to act as such while in the company of your animal at all times.

As a volunteer for Retrieving Freedom Inc., I agree to abide by all applicable rules and regulations of the organization and the laws in Iowa and Missouri governing working with disabled adults and children. I understand that I will receive no monetary benefits in return for my volunteer service(s). I understand that Retrieving Freedom Inc. may terminate this agreement at any time, without prior notice, for any reason. I hereby authorize Retrieving Freedom Inc. to check my references, and I understand that a criminal background check may be required.

I certify that my answers on this application are true and complete and that I have not knowingly withheld any information that might, if disclosed, affect my application unfavorably. I understand that any misrepresentation or omission of facts on this application could be cause for rejection of this application or dismissal from a volunteer position already started with Retrieving Freedom, Inc.

I understand that after I submit my application, it will be reviewed and my eligibility for volunteer work will be determined. If selected as a volunteer candidate, I agree to attended an Introduction Foster Class, submit pictures of my home (RFI staff may also request an in-person home study), and pass a Public Access Test before taking a foster puppy home.

I hereby release and waive liability against Retrieving Freedom Inc., a non-profit organization, the director, officers, employees and agents, its successors and assigns, for any injuries or illness that I myself or my dependent(s) may suffer in connection with any volunteer work performed for Retrieving Freedom Inc. Further, I agree that Retrieving Freedom Inc. is not liable for any damage to my property or my dependent's property resulting from volunteer work for them. I agree that this release is as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the state of Iowa or Missouri.

If the dog is released from the training and placement program, the full-time foster will have first right of refusal for adoption if an application is on file at the time of release. Retrieving Freedom obtains the right to remove a foster dog from the volunteer foster home at any time, for any reason, and this does not require any explanation.