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Dawn Kairns continues her interview about her passion, her animals and helping others.
6. You speak about "canine intelligence" please share? Why do you think dogs and teens relate so well? What do you think a dog offers that a human can't?
We now know that dogs understand anywhere from 150 to 300+ words, depending on the breed and the individual dog. But that only measures their verbal, left brain, verbal intelligence. Canine intelligence is more sensory, energetic and nonverbal. There are ways they know things that we don't quite understand. I talk about this in my book, MAGGIE the dog who changed my life. I learned through Maggie that if we look at dogs through a filter of being capable and intelligent, as with a child, that's what we'll get. Maggie understood detailed sentences & intentions, for example. I don't believe she understood every word, but there was a way she knew and understood.
A dog offers teens acceptance, unconditional love, and non-judgment at a time they are probably feeling judged by their families, the judicial system, and even themselves. Being on the receiving end of these qualities can increase their self esteem and confidence. This is the beauty of dogs for all humans.
7. When you witness a positive change in a troubled teen it must be very rewarding. Please share with us an example of how a dog inspired a teen in a positive direction.
I haven't been doing therapy dog work with teens for long, so I know there are many examples of dogs inspiring teens that I've yet to experience.
One that stands out is when I asked, "How many of you think dogs are intelligent?"
One boy shook his head.
"Why do you think they are not?" I inquired.
"They're just animals," he said.
So we talked about different kinds of intelligence; the left brain intelligence humans typically live in compared with the more instinctual intelligence of animals that many humans have lost touch with. I talked about how humans respond according to what's expected of them, children and adults alike. If teachers and parents look at a child through eyes that say "you can...you are capable...you are smart--that's often the performance they will get from the child." Perhaps dogs respond similarly to what we expect of them," I suggested. I also informed the kids about seizure and diabetic alert dogs, and how some dogs have alerted mothers to an infant that stopped breathing, saving the baby's life.
"I didn't know dogs did that," the boy said with a bit of wonder and a smile. Watching his openness to the new information he was hearing warmed me. My hope is that seeing animals through different eyes will encourage him along with the other teens to respect and treat them better. Learning respect and kindness towards animals is a step to do the same with humans.
"I learned something today," said the boy.
Ah…that made my whole day.
8. Canine Therapy and Equine Therapy is a growing field, and is known to help teens that are struggling with anger issues. Why do you think animals are reaching teens when humans can't?
Dogs and horses are nonjudgmental and accepting. Animals speak with their hearts. These are the qualities that reach people, struggling kids in particular. These animals read the kid's energy, so kids can't fool them with incongruent words like they might a human. Animals know genuine because they are so genuine. Kids know it, too. They have much in common.
9. What inspires and motivates you? What are your plans for the future? More books?
New ideas inspire me, as does nature: camping & hiking in the mountains among wildflowers, streams and rivers; walking by the ocean; good books; inspiring people; meditation and quiet, alone time; Maddie and Cinnamon (my dog & cat); relaxed time with my husband; exploring new, places, within and without...
One thing that motivates me is the knowledge that there are so many animals and humans to help out there, and that I can be instrumental in connecting them with each other. Something magical happens when humans and canines are united in the human-canine bond, and I know the same is true with horses & other animals.
I do have ideas for future writing, but I am feeling called to do more hands-on work right now, like the therapy dog work, and dog rescue of some kind, like I did after Maggie died. I am more of an idea person, I love creating the vision of what's possible. That's why I like to write. But I'm not as enamored with book promotion, and for now I will take a break from that part of the process before I can know just what is next.
10. Tell us about your Animal Rescue work and share with us where others can help animals too.
Maggie was a Labrador retriever, and after she died my husband, Tom, and I fostered labs in our home for a local rescue group and also puppies and dogs for our local humane society. We also trained dogs in the shelter to help them become more adoptable. I later began working with shelter dogs that needed rehabilitation to help them become adoptable. Finally, I volunteered with Freedom Service Dogs, an organization that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to work with people with mobility impairments.
There are many ways to help animals. People often have to look no further than their local humane society to help animals, or local breed rescue groups. Something as simple as getting dogs out of kennels to walk each day can help them become more adoptable. Shelters almost always need foster homes for cats. There are rescue transport groups nationwide where people drive dogs/animals from "kill" shelters to "no kill" shelters. Each person drives a 50-100 mile leg and then the next person takes over until the animal gets to its' destination. People can look online to tap into a rescue group transport. Adopt an elderly pet if you can. It's a beautiful thing to do since they are the least appealing to adopters. Be certain that your own animals are spayed and neutered to prevent more unwanted litters. And look at your own animals as the spiritual, intelligent beings they are.
Humane Societies and residential juvenile facilities throughout the country can help both animals and the high-risk kids even more by coming together to create more in depth canine therapy programs with high-risk teens where the kids are paired with humane society dogs, to train them. A couple of these programs exist in the country, and both the kids and the dogs benefit; the kids by lower recidivism, increased self confidence, and better communication skills, and the dogs by becoming adoptable and finding their "forever families."
If you want to learn more about MAGGIE: The Dog Who Changed My Life you can also visit the author's website at www.dawnkairns.com.
Go back to part 1 if you missed it.
Watch slideshow below to meet Maggie, Maddie and Dawn.
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