Pawsitive Works • Animal Assisted Activities • Pet Partners Team Training • Karen Schumacher • Bonners Ferry, Idaho • 208-946-3883

Therapy Dog Program       Based on the Delta Society's Pet Partner Program                 Youth in Need / Shelter Program       Youth in Need / Shelter Program                 News and Events       Happenings in Boundary and Bonner County, Idaho                 Preparing for Therapy Dog Certification       Your dog should know and follow basic "good manners"                 Training Your Future Therapy Dog       Start with a solid grasp of the basics and build on your success                 Links       Essential sources of knowledge and favorite sites               fargodigital         Youth in Need / Shelter Program     Project Summary: This program program addresses modifying behavior of troubled teenagers facing or having the high probability of facing legal referral or who have been legally referred. We will accomplish the following goals through a proven method of integrating the training of behaviorally challenged dogs with youth experiencing behavior challenges.       »   Ability to set and achieve goals »   Improved socialization and communication »   Reduction in truancy »   Reduction in violent behavior »   Reduced isolation, boredom and loneliness »   Improved memory and recall »   Improved concentration »   Improved communication skills »   Reduction of acts resulting in referral for detention, probation or legal proceedings »   Ability to identify behavior issues and target modification       Pawsitive Works, a charitable organization, co-ordinates the acquisition of temperamentally sound dogs through Second Chance Animal Adoption and area rescue organizations. Youth qualified to participate in the program will select from a group of dogs and be responsible for the care and training of dogs. The program will complete with the Canine Good Citizen testing and a graduation ceremony allowing the youth to demonstrate the skills that they have taught their dog. This program is carried out with the assistance and instruction from a trained dog instructor familiar with positive training and behavior modification methods. Students will learn the use of positive reinforcement to shape a dogs behavior. By identifying behavior problems and solutions for each dog, it has been proven youth can learn to incorporate these skills into managing their own behavior issues. Projected Outcome: Following completion, each dog will be handled by students and tested by an authorized AKC Good Citizen evaluator for standards required by that governing organization. Students will have the option of participating in the adoption procedure by providing adoptees with information about the dog they have acquired during the training process. This allows a closure and feeling of contribution by each participant. The following is a list of common issues youth face and the proven activities and results found by similar programs in progress.           Problem   Activities   Result           Goal Setting   The specific needs of each dog Will require a list of goals be set And worked towards   Improved Goal Setting           Truancy   Students must have a 100% Attendance record during project In order to remain in the program   Reduced Truancy           Violence   Nurturing dogs and implementing Behavior modification   Reduced Violence           Patience   Training a dog while maintaining Mental control, gaining a dogs trust And respect   Increased Self Control           Self Esteem   Training a dog that was unwanted to Demonstrate highly desirable traits   Increased Self Esteem           Communication   Learning and demonstration of clear Needs to dogs and others   Communication Skills           This program is ideal for any community with access to shelter/pound/rescue dogs and would like to assist troubled youth. Contact us today to find out how to get this started or to help with programs already in progress. (208) 946-3883 »Email Pawsitive Works« Pawsitive Works Program - Karen Schumacher - www.pawsitiveworks.com