Jesse is a 5-year-old, female, long-haired GSD with a sad story behind her. She was bought as a puppy as a service dog for a deaf child. Jesse was trained for 6-8 weeks by a professional trainer, then the owner completed the training, but it appears she was most likely used more as a companion dog than as a deaf service dog. Jesse joined the family when the deaf child was 9. After serving as a guardian and companion to their child for five years, the child grew up and no longer needed the dog and so Jesse's family repaid her service by dumping her at a shelter. In terms of disposition, Jesse is very gentle and sweet with adults and children, as befits a child service dog. She is house-trained, good on leash, and knows basic commands. Due to her probable use as a companion dog rather than a deaf service dog, her retention of original training is uncertain. For use as a service dog, she will need to be re-evaluated by a trainer who could determine the quality of the original training. As a companion dog we think she will work out great. Jesse is used to being an only dog. She is learning to share her her personal space, toys, and humans with her foster sister. The longer hair requires more grooming but she loves to be brushed and readily flops over on her back for belly rubs. She will make a tremendous pet, especially for families with younger children. Please check out our web site at www.shepherdrescue.org for more information about our dogs, our adoption process and to download an application. You must have a fully approved application on file prior to privately meeting our dogs. We do not have a facility, all our dogs are housed in private foster homes throughout MD/DC/VA areas. More information available on our web site, so please read through our web site before emailing questions, as it might save us both some time!

VGSR can only adopt dogs out in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area, no exceptions.

Although donations of all types are needed, our primary need is foster homes for our lovely dogs while they wait for their new family to find them. Fostering is an extremely rewarding experience. Vet care is paid for by our rescue, and we can even provide you with food. All YOU need to add is love and security.

The adoption process starts with the applicant filling out the adoption application. This can happen at any time during the process, before or after having met a GSD that might be the ideal companion. (It's an advantage to have a pre-approved application on file with VGSR. It should be stressed here that being pre-approved does not mean that any potential adopter can select any available dog at will and take that dog home immediately. VGSR will exercise its best judgement as to which GSD will be the best match for that specific adopter based on a number of qualifying criteria. Many GSDs that come to us are matched up with their new people very quickly because their people have been pre-approved.) The applicant then submits the application form with a non-refundable $10.00 processing fee. VGSR reviews the application, then schedules an interview and home visit during which a number of questions are asked and the home is reviewed to be sure there is a contained/safe yard, and to meet the family involved. Once the application is approved, the applicant is asked to submit a $250.00 donation to VGSR, and the adoption is completed.

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