Change the Lives of Troubled Youth & Shelter Dogs

As I walk around the kennel at MacLaren I am inspired by the healing that happens here. Project POOCH started because our founder saw a need for the youth in her care to learn not just from books, but to be touched by the life changing magic of the human animal bond. Project POOCH’s mission is for youth to learn responsibility, patience and compassion for all life. Youth have the chance to care for dogs that desperately need their love and attention. Both the youth and the dogs experience unconditional love often for the first time.

During a year marred by uncertainty Project POOCH has adapted. With the safety of our community our top priority, we have had to implement new practices to ensure the health of staff, youth, and potential adopters. Despite the challenges, POOCH was able to unite 29 dogs with their forever homes. They came from all walks of life; some were strays, some came to us from homes that weren’t quite the right fit, and some came from shelters that were not equipped to give them the support they needed to flourish. From the goofy Axel to the loveable Zorro, our commitment to matching our dogs with the right home is unwavering. Thanks to the youth participants of POOCH these dogs were ready to start their new lives with their families, and the youth gained new skills and purpose along the way.

Because of the quality and kindness of our staff, our board, the POOCH youth, our amazing volunteers and our supportive community, we have high hopes for 2021. The road ahead of us may still be a little rocky, but together we will work to make Project POOCH even more effective and representative of the world we wish to see.