Math teacher Sheryl Homan calls herself a “crazy dog lady.” To people who refuse to have one dog in their house, crazy would certainly be a fitting adjective for someone who has let over 70 different dogs roam around, even if not all the dogs are in the house at the same time.

Homan began fostering dogs after she started volunteering at the Town and Country Humane Society. Discovering the facility dogs’ need for foster families, Homan decided to take dogs home and just give it a try.

“I just take any dog that needs a home,” Homan said, “I’ve had mostly German Shepherds, huskies, golden retrievers, and my new favorites are the yorkies, the pomeranians, and the shelties.”

In order to be allowed to foster a dog, applicants have to fill out a form that lists their groomer, vet, and personal references.

“We then set up a home visit to discuss ways to transition the dog into the home, special needs and requirements,” Jane Denherder of the Town and Country Humane Society said.

The time a foster dog spends with its new family may vary. Homan has had foster dogs stay with her for anywhere between a day and seven months. This is because some dogs are recovering from surgery, while others will stay with the foster family for the rest of their lives.

“Some dogs are “forever fosters” as they have end of life care needs,” Denherder said. “We’ve had foster families take in hospice dogs and elderly dogs and the dog remains with them until they pass away.”

Homan’s fostering has given her links to dogs all over the place. She even has ties to social studies teacher Kelly McVey’s rescue boxer, Lando, who was once partnered with one of Homan’s rescues. The McVeys have found Lando is a good fit for their other dog since he helps with Cici’s separation anxiety and made her better with kids.

“He also has picked up some of her naughty habits,” McVey said. “He never barked and then she taught him how to bark.”

One of Homan’s current foster dogs is Payton. Payton is a five year old pomeranian who was surrendered because she was covered in fleas and the owner lied, saying she had cancer.  One of her other fosters, a ten year old sheltie and pomeranian mix named Von, was recently adopted.

Contact the Nebraska Humane Society at 402-444-7800 for more information on fostering animals.