According to The Costs of Confinement: Why Good Juvenile Justice Policies Make Good Fiscal Sense published in May 2009 by the Justice Policy Institute, approximately 93,000 young people are held in juvenile justice facilities across the United States and states spend about $5.7 billion each year imprisoning youth, even though the majority are held for nonviolent offenses and could be managed safely in the community. Beyond the monetary burden, the public and social cost of adolescent adjudication is extremely high. Many adjudicated adolescents lack prosocial skills such as empathy that might aid in their rehabilitation. The report goes on to emphasize that youth in secure confinement often do not develop social skills, such as self-control and conflict resolution as well as those who remain in the community. Youth who spend time in facilities have higher recidivism rates; are less likely to naturally age out of illegal behavior; suffer from more mental illness and are at a higher risk of suicide; they are less likely to succeed at education and employment at the same level as youth who were never incarcerated.
In cooperation with Wayne State University, Teacher’s Pet of Michigan has been awarded a grant of $76,000 to research how animal assisted intervention (AAI) could be a promising method to improve empathy in this population. Their controlled trial involves using an existing AAI program that teaches adjudicated adolescents to train shelter dogs to improve empathy. This project will form the basis of a long term research program aimed at testing and disseminating the effective treatments for adolescents with mental health and behavioral problems.
“I always thought I was this horrible, worthless kid, but after training my dog, I realized that I am not” - C.R. (student trainer)
At-risk youth who are without empathy, or have an empathy deficit, function day-to-day in survival mode. Stray or abused pets burdened with life on the street are more likely to have trust issues and fear resulting from their life experience prior to the animal shelter. There is a common bond between adjudicated youth who carry emotional scars and adoptable dogs existing day to day in shelters. Training helps the youth develop communication skills and trust by working with a dog in need. The nonjudgmental and forgiving nature of a pet is key to these youth getting the most out of such a program. Through the grant award Teacher’s Pet of Michigan has the opportunity to collect some solid data on the effectiveness of AAI.
"It was not what I expected. The people were nicer, the dogs where cuddleyer and generally more fun. I got a new understanding on life for shelter dogs and a new found passion for activism...What I liked best was the opportunity to help a dog have a better chance at a happy life... My dog taught me better patience and a sence of meaning...I fell in love with the whole program." - D.W.
About Teachers Pet of Michigan
Through the power of the human-animal bond, student trainers are able to experience tremendous growth and behavioral improvements and dramatically improve the adoptability of the shelters dogs, giving them a better chance at finding a loving, permanent family.
Student trainers learn the basics of animal handling, identifying stress in dogs, why it's important to be able to put yourself in the dog's paws and move into Basic Obedience 101. The students work with the dogs on performing commands such as sit, stay, down, leave it, drop it, how to walk on a leash, not jumping on people, improving focus and socialization and more.
At the conclusion of the program, the canine graduates are available for adoption. Visit them online at www.teacherspetmichigan.org. Click on Adoptable Dogs to see the current canine students. If you are interested in adopting one of these lovable and youth-trained dogs, contact Amy Johnson at (248) 930-2909 or amyjohnson915@hotmail.com
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