Abandoned Dogs and Incarcerated Teens Work Together Toward Freedom and a Better Future
Cindy Vickers of Loosen the Leash, teams up with the Animal Protective Association of Missouri to deliver a curriculum of change to troubled teens. By partnering with the APA of Missouri, Vickers is addressing two prominent issues facing the St. Louis Metropolitan community; unwanted shelter dogs and training opportunities for juvenile delinquents. Through her disciplined dog-training program, troubled teens gain valuable life skills and the trained dogs become desirable adoption candidates.
St. Louis, MO, October 28, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Neglect, Abuse, Violence: The Common Bond That Inspires Compassion, Understanding and Hope
Cindy Vickers of Loosen the Leash, teams up with the Animal Protective Association of Missouri to deliver a curriculum of change to troubled teens. By partnering with the APA of Missouri, Vickers is addressing two prominent issues facing the St. Louis Metropolitan community; unwanted shelter dogs and training opportunities for juvenile delinquents. Through her disciplined dog-training program, troubled teens gain valuable life skills and the trained dogs become desirable adoption candidates.
In Missouri, hundreds of juvenile offenders are incarcerated every year. The mission of Loosen the Leash is to raise self-esteem and develop much needed skills in the kids to ultimately break the link between detention center to jail. Modeled after the successful Pet Prison Program in the Washington State Women’s Correctional Facility, Loosen the Leash is the first program in Missouri to work with At-Risk-Youth. The goal is to affect enough change in them to give them a chance for a better life.
Vickers has always used shelter dogs for the Loosen the Leash program. The dogs are carefully screened prior to being selected to make sure they have the right temperament and are not a threat to the safety of the kids. “The APA is proud to team up with Cindy in this endeavor” says Steve Kaufman, Executive Director of APA of Missouri. “As with our PetReach and Domestic Violence Programs, we recognize the strength of the human-animal bond and see this program as another extension of the ways pet companionship further benefits our society.” The APA of Missouri provides veterinary care and food for the dogs.
The program is currently being delivered at the Hogan Street Regional Youth Center. Each session runs 3 months during which time the dogs stay at the facility and the kids are responsible for their care. The daily training class is delivered in a practical, hands-on manner whereby the kids develop patience, self-control, understanding and empathy. “The training is logical and a matter of discipline. The miracle, is watching the child and the dog transform one another, which is an act of love,” says Vickers. In an environment of mutual respect and responsibility, the teens improve their communication skills and focus which transfers to other aspects of the rehabilitation program delivered by the staff at Hogan Street.
Loosen the Leash is a nonprofit 501C3 organization in St. Louis. Executive Director, Cindy Vickers, is an experienced dog trainer and passionate about child and animal welfare. Named “Best Dog Trainer in St. Louis” by the Riverfront Times, Vickers brings her years of experience to help troubled teens find a place in society and to help abandoned dogs find a loving home.
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If you would like more information about this topic, contact Cindy Vickers at Loosen the Leash at 314-323-2004 or email Cindy at info@loosentheleash.com.
Contact: Cindy Vickers
Tel: 314-323-2004
Email: info@loosentheleash.com
www.loosentheleash.com
Cindy Vickers of Loosen the Leash, teams up with the Animal Protective Association of Missouri to deliver a curriculum of change to troubled teens. By partnering with the APA of Missouri, Vickers is addressing two prominent issues facing the St. Louis Metropolitan community; unwanted shelter dogs and training opportunities for juvenile delinquents. Through her disciplined dog-training program, troubled teens gain valuable life skills and the trained dogs become desirable adoption candidates.
In Missouri, hundreds of juvenile offenders are incarcerated every year. The mission of Loosen the Leash is to raise self-esteem and develop much needed skills in the kids to ultimately break the link between detention center to jail. Modeled after the successful Pet Prison Program in the Washington State Women’s Correctional Facility, Loosen the Leash is the first program in Missouri to work with At-Risk-Youth. The goal is to affect enough change in them to give them a chance for a better life.
Vickers has always used shelter dogs for the Loosen the Leash program. The dogs are carefully screened prior to being selected to make sure they have the right temperament and are not a threat to the safety of the kids. “The APA is proud to team up with Cindy in this endeavor” says Steve Kaufman, Executive Director of APA of Missouri. “As with our PetReach and Domestic Violence Programs, we recognize the strength of the human-animal bond and see this program as another extension of the ways pet companionship further benefits our society.” The APA of Missouri provides veterinary care and food for the dogs.
The program is currently being delivered at the Hogan Street Regional Youth Center. Each session runs 3 months during which time the dogs stay at the facility and the kids are responsible for their care. The daily training class is delivered in a practical, hands-on manner whereby the kids develop patience, self-control, understanding and empathy. “The training is logical and a matter of discipline. The miracle, is watching the child and the dog transform one another, which is an act of love,” says Vickers. In an environment of mutual respect and responsibility, the teens improve their communication skills and focus which transfers to other aspects of the rehabilitation program delivered by the staff at Hogan Street.
Loosen the Leash is a nonprofit 501C3 organization in St. Louis. Executive Director, Cindy Vickers, is an experienced dog trainer and passionate about child and animal welfare. Named “Best Dog Trainer in St. Louis” by the Riverfront Times, Vickers brings her years of experience to help troubled teens find a place in society and to help abandoned dogs find a loving home.
###
If you would like more information about this topic, contact Cindy Vickers at Loosen the Leash at 314-323-2004 or email Cindy at info@loosentheleash.com.
Contact: Cindy Vickers
Tel: 314-323-2004
Email: info@loosentheleash.com
www.loosentheleash.com
Contact
Loosen the Leash
Cindy Vickers
314-323-2004
loosentheleash.com
Cindy Vickers
314-323-2004
loosentheleash.com
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