Our Program

Our experiential programs bring local youth and shelter dogs together to learn and grow with the encouragement of our dedicated team members.

What Do We Do?

Working one-on-one with professional dog trainers, local youth work hands-on with shelter dogs to teach them basic skills and agility behaviors.

How Do We Work?

We use rewards-based, force free dog training as a model for promoting self-discovery and nonviolence.

Who Benefits?

Everyone! K9YA students enrich the lives of the dogs they work with by providing socialization, developing trusting relationships, and increasing the dogs' adoptability. K9YA dogs enrich the lives of the students they work with by helping them understand the importance of empathy, initiative, and a positive outlook.

In Person

Highlights of our 3-week in person program include:

Daily hands-on training work with shelter dogs.
Immersive, high impact, reward based education on basic skills and agility training for dogs.
Daily presentations on topics such as humane education, shelter dog advocacy, and positive reinforcement dog training techniques.
Special presentations by a professional in the field of animal services.
Tour of our shelter partner.
Graduation where our students get to show off how much they and their dogs have learned!

Hybrid

Highlights of our hybrid program include:

Flexibility to choose between a 3-week curriculum and 1-day modules.
Daily one-on-one training work with foster dogs and their parents. Our students become our teachers!
Daily presentations on animal welfare & training topics.
Virtual tour of our shelter partner.
K9YA dog training kits that include tools, tips, and a realistic stuffed dog that our students get to keep.
Graduation where our students get to show off how much they and their dogs have learned!