UnChained, is a unique nonprofit that pairs juveniles with cast-off dogs. When you think about it, both need help and often rehabilitation.
Melissa Wolf, who founded UnChained explains:
“There’s a lot of reciprocity between dogs and humans. They experience joy and anger and fear and loneliness. Our kids often share very similar stories to the dogs, and we bring that into our classes.”
The program’s goals are twofold: to decrease juvenile recidivism (which can be as high as 75%) and save animals’ lives.
“Many of our kids have experienced risk factors that have led them to the lives where they are,” Wolf said. “A lot of our kids come from maybe childhood trauma, it could be poverty, addiction, incarceration of parents or caregivers,’ Wolf added.
One participant said:
“Most of the dogs didn’t really catch my attention until I’d seen this boxer named Quincy. I learned a lot of social skills and how to control my emotions a lot. To be more focused, more attentive. … Working with Quincy, obviously seeing him get a second shot, actually gave me a little bit of hope.”
The eight-week program takes place in juvenile detention centers and schools. The vulnerable students always work alongside coaches, a professional dog trainer, and volunteer classroom assistants. A licensed mental health professional is on hand as well.
Cast-off kids and cast-off dogs. A win-win.