Take the Lead

In 2008, The SPCA began a collaboration with a middle school in Salinas, CA, pairing at-risk kids with untrained shelter dogs with the goal of improving both their lives. Since then, the program has expanded to work with kids in the foster program and incarcerated youth at the Monterey County Probation Department Youth Center.

Each session, five students are selected to act as trainers for five shelter dogs who have great temperaments but lack training and manners. For five weeks, the children are tasked with teaching their dogs basic skills such as sit, stay, and come, and providing one-on-one interaction.

The benefit to the dogs is clear, says Gary Tiscornia, Executive Director with The SPCA. The dogs are learning skills that will help them stay in their new homes. But Take the Lead is equally essential for the children. They learn important life, leadership, and communication skills as they work to teach unsocialized dogs how to be great canine citizens through positive reinforcement.

While the dogs learn new skills that will motivate adopters, the kids develop a sense of pride when they teach their dogs something new. The children also form deep bonds with their dogs, learning empathy, compassion, and patience as they spent quality time with their assigned trainee and see their efforts rewarded in a well mannered, affectionate dog.

Its inspiring to see how working with the dogs transfers into all aspects of the kids lives, says Amanda Mouisset, SPCA Pet Behavior Specialist. The kids are learning that they dont always have to be tough. You can definitely see the difference these dogs are making in their lives.

To learn how you can support Take the Lead, please visit www.SPCAmc.org

• Category

  Pets & Animals