PAWSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SERIES
The Positive Youth Development Series (PYDS) provides youth from under-resourced communities (ages 11-18) with over 34 hours of experiential, one-to-one learning and enrichment as they learn to handle, train, and advocate for dogs living in animal shelters.
Each student-dog team is paired with a trained adult mentor, to guide them on their journey of self-discovery and personal growth.
Lasting Connections: K9YA returns between programs to check in with graduates and update them on the status of program dogs. Graduates are eligible to return to future programs as interns, where they develop greater responsibility, learn vocational skills and participate as Video Story Tellers!
PROGRAM
HIGHLIGHTS
01
Youth participate in 3 weeks of daily hands-on training & agility with dogs living in shelters. Dogs receive over 70 hours of enrichment, socialization & training.
02
Youth receive an immersive education & skill development using the latest reward-based dog training methods & experiential understanding of humane education principles & animal advocacy.
03
Special presentations by a professional in the field of animal services and the opportunity to tour the local shelter and visit their dog partners in the kennel.
04
Student hosted Expert Panel & Graduation Ceremony.