By Michelle Wilson | Operations Director
Continued Growth and Celebrations at The Underdog Project
This quarter has been full of meaningful milestones and powerful moments of connection between our youth and their canine teammates. From events to intimate achievements, The Underdog Project continues to thrive, largely due to the continued belief and generosity from our supporters, volunteers and community.
Youth Day Dog Show - Rain or Shine!
One of our biggest highlights was our annual Youth Day Dog Show, an annual event that takes place on the 16 June each year, that our youth spend six months preparing. Despite the rain, we had our best turnout yet and spirits were high throughout the day. This celebration is more than just a showcase of skills, it's a chance for our youth to demonstrate their hard work, bond with their dogs, and shine with confidence in front of family and friends.
Holiday Outreach Workshop
We were excited to host a holiday workshop for eight boys from a local children’s home, offering a fun and educational experience. For many of these participants, this was their first interaction with shelter dogs and with our program. It was a valuable opportunity to extend the reach of our work to youth we don't regularly engage with and to offer them a sense of connection and care during the school break.
Computer Literacy Workshop at Amazon Skills Centre
In partnership with Women in AI, we brought 15 of our youth to a computer literacy workshop at the Amazon Skills Centre. The session focused on providing insight into the world of tech and broadening their view of future career possibilities.
Welcoming a New Team Member
We’re thrilled to welcome Lethu, a graduate of our Peer Leader program, as the newest intern facilitator on our core operations team. Lethu has shown tremendous growth and commitment to the program over the years, and we’re so proud to see him step into a leadership role, and look forward to see where this takes him.
One-on-One Success
We’ve also had the pleasure of working with an ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) participant who has been attending one-on-one sessions. He recently achieved his KUSA Elementary Trick Title, after four months of dedicated training. His journey is a powerful reminder of how individualized support and shared goals with a dog can help build confidence and a sense of achievement.
Therapeutic Program Graduations
Two groups have recently graduated from our Behavioural Therapeutic Program (12 weeks). These participants have shown incredible personal growth through their time with us, and the bond they formed with their canine partners played a central role in their emotional development and self-awareness.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the months ahead, we remain focused on expanding our impact, deepening our community engagement, and fostering even more success stories between youth and dogs. None of this would be possible without the continued support of the GlobalGiving community. Thank you for standing beside us, your support helps us change lives, one dog and one young person at a time.
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