“The Cortisol Study with Virginia Tech”
Want to make a BIG difference for a large dog in our community, while also participating in a study to help shelter dogs across the nation?
Hearts Alive Village has partnered with PetSmart Charities and Virginia Tech’s Companion Animal Research and Education Lab to study the impacts of our “Hybrid Fostering” program on the welfare of dogs. We are looking for foster caregivers to help us collect revolutionary data that could change foster care opportunities for shelter animals across the nation.
What is Hybrid Fostering?
Hybrid fostering is a new form of foster care for shelter-living dogs aimed at improving their welfare and increasing their chances at adoption! It’s the best of both worlds: dogs get increased visibility to adopters at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center during the day, and a quiet, loving home to rest in with you at night.
How You Can Help
We are looking for two types of caregivers for 5-day periods on May 23rd through June 4th:
Hybrid Fosters: Drop your fostered dog off daily at PetSmart (South Henderson) between 8-10AM and pick them up between 5-6 PM
Traditional Fosters: Keep your foster dog in your home full-time for the 5-day duration
What’s Involved?
As a part of our team, you’ll help us track the dog’s welfare. This includes:
Having your fostered dog wear a PetPace Health Monitoring collar (provided) to track heart rate and activity during their stay with you
Assisting with twice-daily urine collection to measure cortisol (stress hormones)
Study Timeline
Commitment: 5 days per dog (you can choose to foster up to two dogs over 10 days)
Drop-off Time: 8-10am
Pick-up Time: 5-6pm
We will be providing training for the urine collection and will also set up a zoom meeting with the Virginia Tech team so you can ask any questions you may have.
Ready to help us save the lives of large dogs (30lbs +) at home and nationwide?
If so, please email our Hybrid Foster Coordinator at hybridfoster@heartsalivevillage.org
