When Shivangi opens her front door to a new foster dog, she welcomes more than an animal into her home. She opens her heart to their fears, their quirks, their quiet triumphs, and to the chance to help them become the dogs they are meant to be.

Her fostering journey began with loss. After her family’s beloved dog passed away at nearly 13, the house felt too quiet and too still. They missed having a dog deeply, but Shivangi also knew how much responsibility came with pet ownership. Their previous dog struggled with nighttime anxiety and could not be left alone, making travel or spontaneous plans nearly impossible. She wasn’t sure she was ready for that full commitment again.

“So I thought, maybe fostering would be the right middle ground,” she says. “It gives me the joy of having a dog around without being tied down forever.” She pauses, then laughs lightly. “Though somehow, fostering has tied me down in the exact same way, but in the best possible way.”

Finding Her Purpose in Long-Term Fostering

At first, Shivangi took in short-term medical cases and younger dogs who were likely to be adopted quickly. They were sweet, wiggly, and easy to love, but something felt unfinished.

“After a while, I realized that puppies will always get adopted,” she explains. “They are not really gaining that much from staying with me for two weeks. But the long-term dogs, the scared ones, the dogs with medical needs, they change here. And I get to help them get ready for their real homes.”

That shift led her to Lily, a soft-eyed dog who looked strikingly like her family’s beloved pet who had passed away. Shivangi felt instantly drawn to her. “She was terrified, completely shut down. But she looked exactly like my dog,” she says. “I felt like I had to help her.”

Then came Jetson. And Daisy. And Calvin. Each one needed more than just a warm place to sleep. They needed time to unlearn fear, to trust new people, to explore safely, and to believe that the world could be kind.

And Shivangi was ready for them.

Learning Patience, One Paw at a Time

Before fostering shy or fearful dogs, Shivangi describes herself as someone who would happily rush up to any dog and shower them with affection. But Lily and Jetson changed her.

“I learned that not all dogs want that right away,” she says. “They need space. They need to come to you.”

With shy dogs, progress can be slow, sometimes so slow it feels invisible. But when the breakthroughs happen, they are magic.

She remembers the moment Lily, after months of quiet coexisting, finally mustered enough bravery to show affection. “The very day she got adopted,” Shivangi recalls, smiling. “That was the day she jumped on me and started licking me. Four months in. And I was so happy, even though she was leaving.”

Jetson, too, taught her that love comes in different shapes. He is not big on cuddles, but he shows affection in his own ways, through play, through proximity, through trust. At the dog park, he makes his own rounds, greeting the people who have learned his rhythms. “He doesn’t want everyone to pet him,” she says. “But he will walk right up to his people, lean in, and ask for attention. That is his love language.”

Watching Them Become Who They Are Meant to Be

Every foster’s adoption is emotional, equal parts joy, pride, heartbreak, and deep gratitude.

Shivangi admits she used to worry no one would love her fosters as fiercely as she did. But meeting the adoptive families has changed everything.

“When you see the way they look at these dogs, the way they interact, it feels amazing,” she says. “You suddenly realize that they will be loved even more. They are going to the homes they deserve.”

She still remembers meeting Calvin’s family, watching them kneel down to greet him so gently and so patiently. Or Lily’s adopters, who let her choose when to approach. “They just understood her,” Shivangi says. “And that is all you can hope for.”

The Joy of Daisy and the Heart of Jetson

Ask her what Daisy and Jetson are like, and Shivangi lights up.

Daisy, she says, is sheer happiness on four legs. “She doesn’t run, she frolics,” Shivangi insists. “She literally bounces.” Daisy is cheerful, perceptive, and quick to comfort. If she senses Shivangi is upset, she will trot over and gently lick her face. “She knows,” she says. “She understands people.”

Jetson is her sensitive soul, a brave boy who is still learning the world. “He is a mama’s boy,” she says with a smile. “When he broke his nail, he stayed glued to me with his head on my lap for hours.” He loves playing catch, loves his park friends, and loves showing affection on his terms. “He has taught me that love doesn’t have to look one way.”

Why She Keeps Coming Back

What keeps Shivangi fostering again and again, even when it is emotional, challenging, or time-consuming?

The dogs, of course, but also the unwavering support she receives from HSSV’s Behavior Team.

“G, Jamie, Darcy, Emma, everyone,” she says. “They go so far above and beyond. Jamie has literally come to my house to help. G has been there every day when I needed guidance. The amount of effort they put into every dog is incredible.”

Because of that support, fostering never feels overwhelming. “All I have to do is follow their instructions and show up for the dogs,” she says. “They do the heavy lifting. I just give the dogs a home.”

And that home, filled with patience, comfort, and understanding, often becomes the bridge between fear and forever.

Advice for New or Curious Foster Families

Shivangi’s advice is simple. Start small.

“Try a puppy or a short-term foster first,” she suggests. “You will start to see how good it feels to have a pet in your house. And once you know you are supported, everything becomes easier.”

And who knows. You might just fall in love with helping the dogs who need a little more time, just like she did.

Inspired by Shivangi’s journey? You can be the bridge for a pet who needs time, patience, and a soft place to land. Explore our foster page to learn how to get started.