This looks like a dog-gone good time!
Meet Janet Craft. Janet is an alum of both Fresno State (CA) and Southeastern Louisiana University and she currently works as an athletic trainer at LaGrange College. Off the clock, Janet is a super awesome Foster Dog Parent!!
Janet and her husband Jack started fostering dogs from the Animal Ark Rescue (Columbus, GA) in 2018. Since that time they have fostered over thirty-two (yes - 32) dogs.
We have two dogs of our own and we (my husband and I) love being "pawrents."
Janet saw a post from Animal Ark Rescue in search of new foster homes, and she got curious. They asked a lot of questions and started fostering their first puppy in 2018 (for about two weeks) and they haven’t stopped since.
Depending on the needs of the dog, they provide shelter, a sense of safety and most of all, a lot of love. They have fostered dogs with medical issues like fractured legs, post-amputation, skin conditions, parasite infestations and infant canines.
What Janet enjoys most about fostering dogs is that she loves being able to give a fresh start for these unconditionally loving beings. She honestly feels like she gets more from the fosters than they get from her. They show us resiliency despite circumstances, unconditional love and perseverance. Janet says "Personally, I have learned a level of patience, understanding and forgiveness that I did not have before fostering."
Sometimes Janet's foster babies have potty accidents and chew up things... but guess what, it’s okay. She's learned that things happen and you move forward and make it a teachable moment. Janet and Jack love seeing their fosters grow into their own personalities, develop skills and eventually find their own humans. Having two dogs of their own and knowing how much joy they get from them, they find it very fulfilling to be a small step in other peoples’ joy of finding a fur-ever companion.
Looking into the future of fostering and animal rescue, Janet and Jack would love to provide funding to anyone who would like to have a pet that might not be financially able to make it work.
If you are interested in learning more about fostering animals, reach out to Janet or check in with your local animal shelter. And remember to always enjoy your time Off the Clock!
If you are an AT with an interesting "Off the Clock" activity - or you know someone who is - reach out to us at GATAInfo@athletictraining.org and let us share the story!
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