Scott couple enjoys fostering service dogs Published Oct. 9, 2013 By Airman Megan Friedl 375th Air Mobility Wing SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- When 1st Lt. Robert Cost met his wife, Emily, five years ago, he was also introduced to a new passion: fostering service dogs. The couple says their dedication for fostering dogs makes a difference in people's lives. "I've always been fascinated with working dogs and how much they can help people," said Emily. She found Circle Tail, Inc., in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, and showed Robert the program when they started dating. Robert said, "I just fell in love with the program and what these dogs can do." Most of the dogs in the Circle Tail program are trained by inmates in Ohio state prisons. The inmates teach the dogs basic and advanced obedience, and feed, groom and exercise the animals. As a foster to a dog, the Cost's responsibility is to continue their service training tasks. The most important thing is socializing the dogs to help them get used to as many situations as possible. They provide a household environment for the service dogs to get acclimated to. The people who can benefit from having a service dog range from people having a visual or hearing impairment, diabetes, seizures, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. Emily said the dogs receive $15,000 to $25,000 worth of training before they are partnered with their new owners. However, the people who receive the dogs don't have to pay anything except for a $25 application fee. These dogs are able to work with people in public places and they also have in-home service dogs to help individuals who only need help while they're at home. Circle Tail and many other service dog organizations have opportunities for people to volunteer as a foster. For more information visit the Assistance Dogs of America website at www.adai.org/getinvolved/fostering.html. "These dogs transform people's lives," said Emily. "It's amazing."