Like any foster parent, Terese Barta, an assistant professor of biology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has a lot of responsibility. But her charge needs more than love and care; she needs an upbringing that will prepare her for a life as an assistant for a person with a disability.

Koda, a five-month old black Labrador, will be raised by Barta until she reaches 15 to 18 months old. At that time she will begin specialized training with PAWS With A Cause, an organization that provides service dogs for clients with disabilities such as multiple sclerosis, deafness, seizures, Lou Gehrig�s disease or chronic fatigue syndrome. She will learn tasks such as opening doors, picking up small objects or turning on and off light switches.

But before Koda is trained to work with a disabled person, she needs lots of socialization and basic obedience. Besides committing her time, Barta is responsible for her veterinary care, food and other needs.

There�s also a commitment for everyone in Barta�s household, which includes her husband, James Sobaskie, their two dogs, and another foster dog from Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin.

Barta trained one of her dogs, Tasha, as a certified therapy dog, and she serves as president of the Timber Ridge Dog Training Club. These experiences encouraged her to use her hobbies to do something beneficial for someone.

"I really want Koda to succeed," she said. "I like the idea of knowing what I am doing will help someone�s life become more rich. Very simple tasks can be difficult for a disabled person. The dogs give them a sense of independence so they can enjoy life more."

Barta was first introduced to the idea of PAWS foster parenting by Mark Plonsky, a UWSP professor of psychology, field instructor with Paws and a trainer with the Timber Ridge club.

"A PAWS puppy needs a good foundation," Plonsky said. "They need a healthy environment and one on one attention and daily activity, just as they would have with a client." The dogs also need to be exposed to all kinds of people, buildings, crowds, walking surfaces and weather, he added.

"Giving the dog stimulating environments and exposing them to new things when they are young stimulates their learning capabilities," Barta said.

A bright-eyed, easygoing dog, Koda is content to be out amongst people in public areas. Wearing a blue vest labeled "PAWS With A Cause," she is able to go with Barta to the grocery store, Post Office, her church and other places that expose her to new people.

Koda also accompanies Barta and Tasha on visits to the Portage County Nursing Home for the pet therapy program. Making sure Koda is comfortable around people using wheelchairs and different mannerisms is important part of her upbringing, Barta said.

The university is also a great place for socializing, she added, because of the variety of people, sights and sounds. Koda is a favorite among her students on lab days and also makes appearances at faculty meetings and in Barta�s office, where she has a favorite spot under the computer desk.

The two will also attend formal obedience training, which Koda needs before she may attend the PAWS With A Cause training center in Wayland, Mich.

There is learning and playing at home as well. Barta encourages her and rewards her for retrieving, and does not deter her from behaviors that she may have to do as a service dog, such as holding gloves in her mouth or putting her paws up on laps or counters.

Because they are raising her, it won�t be easy for Barta and her husband to say goodbye to Koda once her foster care is complete.

"You don�t have a dog for over a year without getting attached," Barta said. "But I know what her purpose in life is."

"There will be no greater thrill than seeing her go through the PAWS With A Cause program," she added. "Knowing she is out there helping someone will outweigh missing her."

Barta, the daughter of Milton and Rita Barta of Wausau, has taught at UWSP since 1997. Previously she taught at UW-Marathon County.

Samantha Raduachel, the daughter of Ann Raduachel of Wausau, is one of the thousands of people benefiting from PAWS With A Cause. Her dog, Pharoah, is one of the over 14,000 dogs that Paws has placed, while more than 2,500 people are waiting for dogs to be trained for them.

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