GlobalGiving.org: Change the Lives of Troubled Youth & Shelter Dogs

Former POOCH youth now serving in Kuwait

Joan Dalton — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 02:52:45 GMT

POOCH youth walking dogs

For 18 years, Project POOCH (Positive Opportunities--Obvious Change with Hounds) has paired incarcerated young males with dogs from shelters. The mission of Project POOCH is to teach: responsibility, patience, and compassion for all life.

The youth work with their dogs daily teaching positive reinforcement so that the dogs can pass the Canine Good Citizen test before being adopted out to the public. In the process, the youth learn about themselves and how to be good citizens when they return to society.

Over the years, Project POOCH has helped youth transition from incarceration back into everyday life and aided in helping them become responsible, active members within their communities. We are proud to say that a former POOCH youth joined the military and is now serving his country in Kuwait. He says: "POOCH was truly a life changer for me, thank you for the support over the years.”

Teaching youth to take care of, and work with the shelter dogs, provides both dog and human with a positive experience; in some cases the first time either might have experienced unconditional love! As a result of this pairing we find that the feeling of unconditional love stays with the youth when they leave behind a life of incarceration. Another former youth frequently asks for a visit from the dog he trained while in the POOCH program.

A random study on 100 of our former youth showed zero recidivism. Our mission is to save ONE dog and ONE youth at a time!!! With patience and compassion we will continue working with both in the years to come!!

Pointer travels interstate to find his new home.

Shar Erickson — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:44:09 GMT

Bowe lounging in our Kennel Office

Bowe aka. Splatt – English Pointer

Bowe was found wandering as a stray on the streets of Riverton, Utah. In May 2011, he was picked up by the Riverton City Animal Control. The facility is a small animal shelter that caters to a town of about 38,000 people. Bowe came to be with Amara Christenson and the team at Riverton Animal Control and stayed with them for nearly 2 months. During that time Bowe became a favorite of the workers’ and volunteers there.

As the months rolled by, sweet Bowe was not finding a home, so Amara sent an e-mail blast to all of her contacts and it was Amanda from Amelia’s Angels Rescue who forwarded us the e-mail. A transport of eight other dogs were being brought from Utah to Seattle, Washington within a few days and would be picked up by another Animal Rescue group based out of British Columbia, so we all had to act fast!! This transport was being organized by two very dedicated ladies from Tooele Animal Outreach Dog Rescue, Denise and Marci. Denise and Marci had never done a transportation trip before and this was their first time. They were planning on leaving Utah on a late Friday and being in Seattle area by Saturday afternoon. Using their own personal funds along with a few donations that they had received, they set out on their long journey. Project POOCH coordinated with Tooele to have one of our volunteers pick up Bowe in Seattle and bring him into our program.

Bowe has completed our program and has found a loving home with a family who adore him. He has a new brother that is a German Shorthair by the name of Elvis, and they are inseparable!!! Bowe has become a permanent resident of the State of Oregon with his new family and is healthy, happy, and thriving.

Links:

www.pooch.org

Parent of Incarcerated Youth writes about Project POOCH

C.L. — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:02:10 GMT

My son is currently in your Project POOCH program. I just wanted to tell you that you and your program are such a blessing. I know in my heart that because of you and Project POOCH, my son is very happy and I know how much he loves dogs. When he left home to do his time we had 3 dogs, and I know being able to be around dogs helps him feel like he is not wasting his time while incarcerated. I just wanted to tell you that I appreciate you and all the love you have for the dogs that are lost, forgotten, and abused. The love you have for the boys, and giving them a chance and not giving up on them as well, when others have. Knowing my son is so happy in your program makes it a little easier out here while I am waiting for him to come home. Thank you so much!!

Links:

Website

Project POOCH Update - Deaf Dog being trained by youth in program

Joan Dalton — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:13:46 GMT

Brodie - Deaf Britney Spaniel

Project POOCH recently brought in a deaf Brittany Spaniel -- the fourth deaf dog we have had in the program. The first deaf dog was placed with the Oregon School for the Deaf, the second dog detected cancer when he jumped on his guardian, the third dog became therapy dog! A couple of our youth are experts at working with deaf dogs; they also help adopters learn how to work with the dogs once being placed in a home.

Developing work skills and a work ethic are at the top of the charts with our youth. They learn computer skills, kennel maintenance and repair, along with gardening as they maintain our meditation garden. The youth took the old leaking skins off the unused greenhouse and turned it into an indoor dog training center. It rains a lot in Oregon so now dogs can get basic training and agility skills in the bad weather. The dedication of the K-9 training center will be this summer.

We have a waiting list of youth wanting to join Project POOCH and work with the dogs; and learn patience, responsibility, and compassion.

Links:

Project POOCH Website

A thankful youth writes

M.L. — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:49:35 GMT

Learning responsibility and compassion

I have been in the Project POOCH program for over three years. I have helped more than 24 dogs find homes and each day I am learning more about myself and how I can improve.

My favorite dog, if I had to pick one, would be the one I am currently working with. Her name is Callie and she is 1 ½ years old. She has shown me that if I am persistent and put my mind to it, I can make a difference. She has been at Project POOCH for nine months. I see progress each day with her, which makes it hard for me to give her up. She relies on me and makes me feel needed, something I’ve never felt before.

This program has molded me into a more confident, compassionate and patient individual. These are traits that I needed to develop in the past, but I never knew exactly how to. I have learned a great deal about responsibility. I know this will help me in the future. I have also developed a love for animals that I never thought I would. I am now leaning towards a career in the animal care industry. I’m still working on my social skills, which is something I have always lacked. This program has given me the opportunity to work on these skills daily. Since being in the program, I have become much happier. My family has noticed the change in me too.

Project POOCH has given me hope for the future and an optimistic view on life. I am thankful to be a part of this wonderful program. I am proof that when given the opportunity, a person can really make a positive change in their life.

Links:

Project POOCH Winter 2011 Newsletter

What Project POOCH means to me

I.H. — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:30:56 GMT

Pickles~most recent Project POOCH dog

Project POOCH is not just a job working with and rescuing dogs. It has been a place for me to break down barriers of character flaws that I wouldn’t have been able to do on my own.

Working with shelter dogs has helped me with compassion and caring for others and my surroundings. The dogs helped me be more aware of my emotions as well. I now know that I have more feelings than just anger or being fine. Now it’s even okay for me to shed tears from time to time.

I’ve also been able to learn various skills while working at POOCH. I first and foremost have learned quite a bit about handling dogs such and grooming, training and general knowledge and care of dogs. We also do all of the maintenance needs at the kennels and have even remodeled the kennels. I have also had the opportunity to learn computer skills and various software programs such as Photoshop and Microsoft Excel.

Project POOCH has also been able to help me with my social skills in dealing with people from the public as well as holding conversations with our volunteers that come in periodically to help out with dogs and the guys in the program. All in all, Project POOCH has helped make me the person I am today. Without POOCH I don’t think I could have even become the respectable, mature individual that I now am now. I am forever grateful to be a part of POOCH and how it has helped me as a human being.

Links:

Visit our Website

Project POOCH Continues Touch Lives 10 Years Later

B.W. — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:28:43 GMT

Daily Dog Walks

At Project POOCH we are often amazed at the long term impact the program has had on the youth that we've served. Here is a letter recently sent to us from a former Project POOCH youth.

"I just wanted to say hi. I also wanted you to know that I am very happy to see that you have been able to keep Project POOCH up and running. It is a wonderful program. I know from experience that the program works, and it works in ways that the incarcerated youth are not able to see right now. After being out of Maclaren for over a decade, I must say that the people, dogs and instructors continually touch my life. Everyday. I am not sure if the youth realize, truly realize, what you are doing for them....I am not sure if you remember me or not, but I wanted you to know I really appreciate you, your program and your dedication. I often wonder about Project POOCH and to this day wish I could still be a part of it. It's a wonderful program. Thank you for keeping it going and hopefully growing"

~B.W.

Project POOCH Youth - In Their Own Words

Project POOCH Youth — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:08:00 GMT

Hunter learning obedience

I was born in Oaxaca, Mexico. I’ve always been around animals because my parents always had lots of dogs, but I never thought that one day I would be working on training dogs and helping them to be good dogs. I know that I’m not only helping the dogs. I’m helping myself.

It used to be that dogs were, to me, just like any other animal. But, with time in POOCH, they became something special in my life. Some of them were bad dogs that came here. Just like me. I was a bad person in my community. But now I teach the dogs to be good dogs so they can go to a new home, and it makes me feel really good when I see my dog take off for a new home. I can see he’s happy with his new family.

My life has changed a lot because of helping the dogs. They’re helping me at the same time I’m helping them. I used to be a troublemaker before I started working in this program, but now that I know that there’s someone up there in the kennel waiting for me, I choose to take care of business so I can be with my dog all day. I became a responsible person because I now that my dog depends on me.

Everybody deserves a second chance. We give that chance to dogs that need it.

~I.S.

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I’ve been working at Project POOCH for two and a half years. The most rewarding thing about being part of POOCH is being able to see one of my dogs become a successful member of a family. This is a gratifying experience because I get to see a dog that came in with almost no chance of landing in a caring home. Yet, with training and the right family, all the work with the dog pays off in the end.

~M.I.

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I haven’t been in the POOCH program as long as many of the others, but here’s how I see it: I want to spend as much time as possible with the dogs. At the same time, though, I still have to go to school so I can’t spend as much time as I want.

But when I’m here, I like training the dogs. I especially like when I tell the dog to sit and he does it. I feel good about that because I never had a dog like that before.

People who have been in the program longer that I have usually have their own dog to work with. I’m looking forward to having one of my own to work with, but in the meantime, I like walking and working with any dog.

~A.T.

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I enjoy working in POOCH because of the dogs and the people in this program.

In the past, I used to not be concerned with much besides my own needs, but I realize this wasn’t very healthy for me. But now, when I walk up to the entrance to POOCH and I hear all the barking coming from the kennels, I get excited. By working and being with these dogs, I find myself caring more and more about how they are and how they’re progressing in their training. I also think about how they’re doing every day that I’m away from them.

Being taught to care for and appreciate these animals, along with the interaction we have with people from the outside, we learn to have compassion for things other than ourselves. Project POOCH is a great idea, and I hope that ideas such as this one will be used in other correctional facilities as a way of motivating people who need to learn to show kindness, friendship, trust and compassion.

~B.N.

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I want to learn more about training dogs because eventually I’d like to be a professional trainer. I really want to work with German Shepherds. I want to train dogs to sit at my command, and to heel and to walk close. Heel and walking close I feel are hard to learn, but I imagine my German Shepherd doing those things well because he learned them from me!

~H.R.

Learning Patience & Compassion

I.V. — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:25:04 GMT

Training Diveto a corgi-mix

When I started working at Project POOCH, I noticed how difficult it was for me to train dogs. I really thought that this job wasn't for me. I learned more stuff from experienced guys and once I got the hang of it my dogs seemed to come and go very quickly. Being able to understand a dog's behavior and how they react to different things was very difficult for me at first, so I paid lots of attention and slowly started building a bond with the dogs.

After being at Project POOCH for two years, my training techniques are getting better and I have accomplished many adoptions . I'm always comfortable with the depth of emotion I have for the dogs. That is why I am patient in giving the dogs the affection and compassion they need.

Dog Power

Susie Waki — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:58:50 GMT

Thanks to the support of community volunteers, the youth are sometimes offered a chance to learn new and exciting ways to bond with their dogs. These special events are not only fun for the youth and dogs, but give the youth an opportunity to develop their problem solving skills, increase their listening skills and practice their social skills. In addition, positive experiences like these help the to youth develop the self confidence they will need to build healthy relationships in the future.

On a recent Saturday, volunteers from Cascade Sled Dog Club showed the human side of POOCH how to harness their dogs’ natural abilities and enjoy dog-powered sports. The youth guided their dogs through drills aimed at teaching both dogs and soon-to-be- mushers the skills and commands necessary to pull a sled scooter, or a person on skis. Both dogs and youth were receptive to the training, so everyone was ready to try his or her hands (or paws) at scootering by the end of the session. The young men put on special belts, helped their dogs into harnesses connected from a tow line to their belts, mounted scooters. and told their dogs to “Go!” Every dog/youth team made its way at least once around the POOCH kennel. They were encouraged by a lot of yelling and laughter from the volunteers and each other. It’s tough to say who had the most fun—the volunteers, the dogs, or the youth. There are definitely some promising mushers and sled dogs in POOCH!

A heartfelt letter from a grateful youth

Ivan — Mon, 17 May 2010 21:38:45 GMT

Dear Project POOCH,

Hello to everyone at POOCH. I was just doing a homework assignment and was thinking of how much POOCH has helped me through the last few years and after my release, so I decided to write a letter of gratitude. I could not have written this letter if it wasn’t for POOCH. You got me this computer and I don’t have to use my brother’s computer every time I have an assignment. I would not have gone to college because of my financial status but thanks to Project POOCH’s support, I’m in college studying and learning hard. Also, I realized some of the most important skills like: patience, compassion, and responsibility. I need to have patience with some of my professors and the people I’m surrounded by. I need to have compassion for other people. And most importantly is responsibility. I use it every day with college, looking for work and managing my time so I can be productive. I am making sure the things I do are responsible so I don’t end up where I was.

It’s just nice to know that there are people that want me to do well and believe in me. That drives me to do better than just being good or average. Thank you again for everything you have done for me and for all things you are doing for others.

Sincerely,

Ivan

Links:

Changing Lives One Dog at a Time

The story of Jasper and Beans

Susie Waki — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:29:54 GMT

Beans & Jasper

Jasper, a two year old Jack Russell Terrier mix, was a two time loser before coming to Project POOCH. Jasper first came to the animal control office as a stray in September 2009. He was adopted from the shelter in October but returned in December for being a menace to his adopter’s chickens. The family that returned Jasper thought that he should be euthanized. Jodi, the dog control officer, said that when Jasper re-entered the shelter he was quiet and insecure. She knew he would be a difficult dog to place, but she wasn’t ready to give up on him. She noticed that when Jasper was by himself he exhibited more self confidence. Jasper needed another chance, so Jodi contacted Project POOCH.

Project POOCH Youth, Israel, was paired with Jasper. For the first few days Israel worked on helping to build Jasper’s self confidence. Soon Jasper blossomed and his true personality began to shine. Jasper, the quiet and insecure stray, became a happy, fun loving little dog. Jasper was soon ready for a new home and a new life with someone who would love and care for him the way that Israel did.

Enter Lisa and Beans. Lisa had adopted Beans, a one-year old Border Collie mix, after her 15 year old black lab had died. Beans was a great dog, but one of those guys who really needed a buddy. A friend told Lisa about Project POOCH. Lisa visited the POOCH website and was immediately impressed with the program. Lisa says “I wasn't intending to find a dog to adopt, but then I saw Jasper!” Jasper’s photo drew Lisa in right away. She thought he might be the right guy to help calm Beans down a bit. Lisa and Beans came to visit Jasper at Project POOCH and it was love at first sight. Lisa says, “Jasper has fit right in to our family. He and Beans are the best of friends. They play for hours and then curl up on the couch together. They even like to spoon! Jasper has also made a life long friend in my cat Siler. They are about the same size, so they are the prefect wrestlers. The four of us go for walks around the block together and we are the talk of the neighborhood.”

Jasper's story reminds us that every life if worth saving. Sometimes just demonstrating love and kindness can turn someone life around.

Links:

Positive Opportunities Obvious Change with Hounds

Ruby's Tale of a Mutually Beneficial Rescue

Susie Waki — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:58:06 GMT

Ruby's becomes a Canine Good Citizen

This is the story or Ruby, a boxer mix who was rescued from an animal shelter and brought to Project POOCH.

Hi, my name is Ruby, and I recently relocated to Hillside Retirement Community from a temporary position I was chosen for at the MacLaren Youth Correction Facility in Woodburn. It’s been a wild month or so. It all started in early January when animal control employees found me wandering the streets of McMinnville. These caring people took me to their house on Lafayette Avenue. It sure was nice to get a meal and a warm place to stay. A couple of days later when I was feeling better and the doctor had checked me out, I found out I was going to be available for adoption. I wasn’t sure what that was, but I didn’t have much choice. I got the attention of a nice lady who was looking for a new four-footed friend. The reason she liked me best was that among all the noise and confusion going on when she came searching for a new buddy, I didn’t make any fuss or join in the conversations. Good manners do pay off. The woman found out she couldn’t take me home with her right away. I had to stay for a few more days just in case someone was looking for me. She said she would wait. In the meantime, a woman from an animal rescue group called Project POOCH came in and decided one of my kennel mates and I would be just right for a couple of available positions at the kennel at MacLaren. So we were moved to Woodburn. I was amazed I was so popular. My job description at MacLaren was to be part of a team that would teach the youth to refocus their lives by practicing positive reinforcement and behavior modification. Like me, they’d strayed a bit along the way. The youth assigned to me was charged with teaching me to be a good doggie citizen. We both needed help. We worked together for three weeks, and I earned my AKC Good Citizen Certificate. Then I got adopted by the very same woman who had chosen me weeks earlier! When I moved to my new place, I gave my new person the certificate. I hope she will hang it over my new bed to remind me of how lucky I am that I survived and found a good home here at Hillside.

Links:

Read more updates about Project POOCH in our Spring Newsletter

Project POOCH Youth Grads go to College

Susie Waki — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 18:56:39 GMT

Project POOCH provides opportunities for incarcerated youth to learn patience, responsbility and compassion for all life through working with shelter dogs. As the say goes, "A student doesn’t learn what has been taught until he can transfer that knowledge to real life situations." At Project POOCH, we can only hope that the lessons we offer working at the kennel will guide the youth once they have served their time and are back in the community. Former Project POOCH youths, BJ, Marcel, and Ricky, are earning A’s and B’s as they experienced their first term at Oregon colleges this fall. Two of the youth hold down part-time jobs to help pay for their college and living expenses. Ricky called to say he got a B in his business ethics class because he used an example from what he learned in Project POOCH. Marcel had a test in which he had to present both sides of an issue, and he chose the topic of positive reinforcement vs. punishment, which he learned while working with dogs. Two of the students earned the Dean's List at their colleges. It is very rewarding to see that given the opportunity to practice the principles of positive reinforcement with dogs has helped Project POOCH youth graduates to succeed in college and in their communities. Project POOCH truly appreciates the support we receive from our donors. We can see first hand how these youth are transformed by the healing power of unconditional love. Dogs are wonderful teachers.

Links:

Read more about Project POOCH news in our most recent newsletter