Adopt

Ronnie Stanley Foundation x BARCS:
Family Emotional Support Dog Program

BARCS partners with the Ronnie Stanley Foundation (RSF) to place trained canine Emotional Support Animals (ESA) in the homes of families in need in the Baltimore community. Our partnership connects families who have faced various life challenges, such as illness, emotional trauma and other hardships, with dogs from BARCS that are trained to emotionally support, uplift and love their people.

Program Process:

Rescue Dog Selection and Training Process

RSF partners with BARCS to select homeless dogs from our shelter that have the appropriate temperament for ESA training.
RSF hires certified trainers from Leash Free Living to train the selected pups. These special dogs receive 30 days of training, food and housing.

Family Selection & Vetting Process

RSF receives recommendations for qualified families from community organizations and then selects families eligible for a dog through the program. Families can also directly apply (or send in a nomination) online.
RSF interviews the families and has BARCS start the adoption paperwork, which includes a complete background check to ensure the family has no animal cruelty violations on their record. Families must meet the rescue dog first to make sure it’s a good match.

Forever Home

Once the family is approved through both organizations, the adoption paperwork is finalized and a date is scheduled to take the rescue dog home.
The family receives a “Forever Home Starter Kit” that includes: a crate, crate pad, bed, two bowls, regular buckle collar with 6-foot leash, a longer 15-20 foot leash, dog waste bags with dispenser, snacks, food and assorted toys.
The family receives complimentary training sessions with the professional trainer and ongoing check-ins with the RSF team.