Providing life-changing opportunities for incarcerated youth and shelter dogs.
Project POOCH, quite simply, changes lives. We operate a kennel inside a youth correctional facility and pair currently incarcerated youth with shelter dogs. The youth learn kennel management, positive reinforcement, grooming, and training techniques. The youth learn what it means to be depended on by another living creature and what it means to be trusted and relied upon. And, they learn what unconditional love feels like—sometimes for the first time. Our dogs get trained, loved, and adopted into their forever homes. There is no limit to the amount of time a dog spends in our care, and we are focused on the individual needs of each dog.
Through POOCH, the youth participants discover that they have worth and value and that their entire life does not need to be defined by any specific moment. They build (or rebuild) their confidence and their dog’s confidence through dedication and training. The youth learn that they can come out of youth corrections and not just rejoin society but add value to their communities.
Project POOCH is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization.
Changing lives, one sloppy kiss at a time.
Help change a life. Make a donation to Project POOCH today.
Interested in Adoption?
At Project POOCH, we commit to every dog who comes through our door. We work with every dog to meet them where they are to train them and set them up for success in their forever home. We typically like to have a dog spend 4–6 weeks working with their youth trainer before becoming available for adoption. Check back frequently for updates on current dogs and new dogs available for adoption.
“I’ve been working at Project POOCH for two and a half years. The most rewarding thing about being part of POOCH is being able to see one of my dogs become a successful member of a family. This is a gratifying experience because I get to see a dog that came in with almost no chance of landing in a caring home. Yet, with training and the right family, all the work with the dog pays off in the end.” —Project POOCH Youth
2023 in Review
Together, we can change the lives of youth and dogs.
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