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KIDS TRAINING STRAYS AT CHADDOCK

Chaddock works with vulnerable at-risk boys and girls, who have experienced relationship trauma for most of their young lives. Chaddock’s mission is to empower children and families to become capable, contributing members of their communities by providing quality programs and services in caring settings. Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) is a special component of our highly specialized services.

Kids Training Strays is a part of AAI and provides an avenue in which vulnerable dogs in need of new homes are identified through a rescue agency. Our young people then train these dogs and help find new homes for them. Training for each dog lasts approximately 4-6 weeks depending on the time needed for training and/or rehabilitation of the dog. Since the inception of the program, 14 dogs have completed the training and have been adopted successfully to new homes. The majority of these dogs were identified through Paw Pals.

For Chaddock youth, Kids Training Strays provides:

	Physical Contact. The touch of a dog fills the human need for touch in a safe, non-threatening and pleasant manner.
	Empathy. Dogs can teach our children how to be attentive and responsive to another living creature, which correlates to increased empathy for humans.
	Rapport. Dogs can open a channel of emotionally safe, non-threatening communication between our children and other people.
	Socialization. Dogs promote safe communication and provide opportunities for our children to learn social skills.
	Outward focus. Caring for another living creature helps a child look beyond his or her own challenging issues.
	Nurturing. Children learn nurturing skills they can apply in other relationships.
	Acceptance. Dogs provide unconditional acceptance that helps in building self-esteem, confidence and leadership skill.

To learn more about Chaddock’s involvement with Kids Training Strays, please contact Kathy Petefish at Chaddock . . . 217/222-0034.

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