When Emily and Kevin Schmidt took their kids, Charlie and Hazel, to the YMCA Healthy Kids Day in West Seattle, they discovered a unique opportunity—fostering a service dog in training for Canine Companions’ new Seattle office.
The Puget Sound Field Office’s foster program allowed their children to experience having a dog while contributing to a greater cause. Soon, they welcomed Agave, a loving dog they fostered evenings and weekends while she trained with Canine Companions professional trainers.
Now, Agave works as a facility dog at a courthouse, comforting children as they testify about traumatic events.
“Hearing all the great things Agave was going to do made it so much easier to say goodbye. That connection has been really rewarding,” says Emily.
The Schmidts remain dedicated to fostering future service dogs, instilling the values of compassion and giving back in their family with each dog they help raise.
Learn more about becoming a volunteer foster: canine.org/seattle.