Program Offers New Chance for Dogs and At-Risk Youth

    "There is something profoundly special about the bond that can form between animals and people, impossible to describe or define, and yet so powerful it can transform a moment or a life."
    - Mike Fry


    The therapeutic nature of animal contact has been well documented for all kinds of people. Humans that open their homes to animal companions live longer than those who do not. When seniors confined to nursing homes are provided animal friends, fewer medications are required. Now, a new program that is a partnership between School District 917, Dakota County Juvenile Corrections and Animal Ark harnesses the human/animal bond to help at-risk youth, and to provide training for homeless dogs.

    "This program teaches kids about many things, including basic animal behavior, the importance of reward and positive reinforcement and many other things that apply to not only dog training, but other areas of life as well," said Rick Frye, teacher with School District 917. "And in the process, they get to help Animal Ark's dogs become better canine citizens."

    As part of this innovative program, students visit Animal Ark twice per week and under the close supervision of Dakota County staff with special instruction from Dr. Linda Wolf, they teach Animal Ark dogs the basics of being obedient pets. Using an all praise and reward-based training process, the dogs learn "sit" "down" "stay" "come" and "heel." And along the way, the dogs teach the people a few things too.

    "When you see a dog/trainer pair make a strong connection, it is so remarkable," said Dr. Wolf. "It is impossible to put into words, but you just know something very special is happening."

    Anyone who has ever had a dog knows that they are great at teaching unconditional love, loyalty, trust, and other important things that have often been missing from the lives of the kids enrolled in the New Chance Program.

    "The ability of the dogs to connect with these kids is remarkable," Wolf said. "And the kids respond almost immediately by opening up and connecting with the dogs, almost as if the kids have been craving something positive in their lives that they can connect to."

    The healing and therapeutic power of animal interactions is nothing new to Animal Ark. Dog trainer Michael Kriel has been working with dogs and residents at the nearby Veterans Home for several years. As the first person at Animal Ark to make use of the human/animal bond in therapeutic work, Kriel is happy to see the expansion of these kinds of services at the shelter.

    Animal Ark's no-kill policy is an essential component of this type of work.

    "Imagine the damage that could be done and the unfortunate messages that could be sent to these kids if any of these animals were destroyed," said Mike Fry, Development Director for Animal Ark.

    During their visits to the shelter, the kids are exposed to all sorts of animal experiences. A mother dog recently gave birth to nine puppies. They visit with veterinarians as animals are checked. And they experience the joy of seeing the animals they have trained adopted into new homes, demonstrating the value of the work they are doing.

    Remarkably, the adoption rate for dogs involved in this program is higher than those that are not, in spite of the fact that the New Chance group usually works with the more challenging animals at the shelter. This program creates a situation where all involved win, and where the pay-offs are big for everyone involved.

    It is the hope of everyone at Animal Ark that, through their experiences here, these kids will take away a new appreciation for animals with whom they have worked and for themselves.

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