Golden Retriever Pups

Service dog families foster independence

Even though they've had their new puppy only a month, Cindy Casto of Maryville said she warns her three young sons they're going to say goodbye to their floppy-eared friend someday soon.

"On a regular basis I tell them we're only taking care of him," Casto said of Dollar, a 12-week-old golden retriever.

The family is fostering Dollar through Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, a new local organization that trains service dogs for disabled veterans. It was founded last fall by several dog-loving friends in Knoxville, Maryville and Lenoir City.

If all goes well, by the time Dollar is 2 years old he'll be the helpful companion of a disabled East Tennessee veteran.

"He already sits, he's working on 'down.' I've never had a dog who did that at his age," Casto said. "I'm definitely not a dog expert. It just takes consistency, kind of like with my kids."

Foster families take care of the puppies for six months to a year, teaching basic dog manners and housebreaking. The organization offers free food, veterinary care and training sessions with Heather Wilkerson, a professional trainer in Lenoir City.

As the dog matures, Wilkerson takes it for advanced training and matches it to a veteran who fits the dog's abilities. Someday the organization may offer dogs to others as well, organizers said.

"We're focusing first on local veterans. We felt like there was a huge need for service dogs, especially among veterans," said co-founder Suzy Kitchens.

A dog undergoes about 1,200 hours of training and is valued at $20,000 by the time it's placed, according to Kitchens. Veterans will be asked to pay $12,500 for the dog, while donated sponsorships cover the rest. Dollar was named and sponsored by the UT Federal Credit Union.

"We are an all-volunteer board, except for our trainers," said Kitchens, who added that the organization's greatest need is for full-time and respite foster parents, and for puppy socializers, people who take the dogs on outings during the day. Foster families are assured they can keep up with the dog after it leaves, even meeting the veteran who receives it.

First to be placed this winter will be Lucy, a 14-month-old black Labrador retriever. She recently appeared at a Memorial Day ceremony in Knoxville, wearing a green service-dog-in-training vest.

Lucy can pull clothes out of the dryer, open and close doors, pick up a credit card off the floor and find and retrieve the television remote control. She will soon work on learning to dial 9-1-1. "Dogs can do amazing things as long as they're motivated, by a food or a toy usually," said Wilkerson.

cute White Golden Retriever puppies to loving homes, Dogs and ...

We are a loving family who have been blessed with the joy of these family members and wish to share the joy with you. Our pups are raised indoors, with our three kids, and our cat. We play with them and daily socialize our pups. We spend time with each pup allowing them to get used to us playing with their paws, ears, and tails.

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