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PROJECT SECOND CHANCE Using Shelter Dogs to Facilitate Change in Juvenile Delinquents

PROJECT SECOND CHANCE Using Shelter Dogs to Facilitate Change in Juvenile Delinquents. Tamara H. Ward, Community and Social Service Specialist, Youth Diagnostic and Development Center. Dedication.

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PROJECT SECOND CHANCE Using Shelter Dogs to Facilitate Change in Juvenile Delinquents

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  1. PROJECT SECOND CHANCEUsing Shelter Dogs to Facilitate Change in Juvenile Delinquents Tamara H. Ward, Community and Social Service Specialist, Youth Diagnostic and Development Center

  2. Dedication This program is dedicated to all the young people at the Youth Diagnostic Development Center for their ability and desire to change the way they look at life, animals and people.And to the dogs from Animal Humane Association of New Mexico, for their unconditional love and understanding for a society that sometimes does not return the favor.

  3. THE PROBLEM • “One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it” Anthropologist Margaret Meade • “The FBI recognizes that violent crimes against animals may predict violent crimes against human beings. Despite this knowledge, school and families do not ensure that children learn compassion and respect for animals.” (PYSETA News, 1998)

  4. THE PROBLEM, Cont. • “There was something missing in Jeff...We call it a “conscience”…that either died or had never been alive in the first place.” Lionel Dahmer, Jeffry Dahmer’s Father “Children who cannot control their aggressive impulses towards animals will frequently grow into adults who have difficulty inhibiting aggressive impulses toward people” (Barnard, N, 2000)

  5. 97% Male Have a history of firesetting and animal abuse at around 8 years old Isolated Poor social skills Vandalism Very low self esteem Egocentric Family dysfunction Developmentally delayed Animal Abuse is a RED FLAG

  6. The LinkAnimal Abuse/Domestic Violence • Family violence is very likely to occur in homes where animal cruelty occurs • Children who abuse animals may be abused themselves and stand a significant risk of becoming a violent adult. • Batterers use the family pet as a weapon against the family • 88% of families reported for child abuse also had an animal abuser in the home

  7. A Place To Start: Youth Diagnostic Development Center • 150 youth, 25% Female 75% Male • Adjudicated 1yr, 2 yr, youthful offender • 50% Hisp, 40% Ang, 10% N.A. A.A, other • Conduct Disorder Males, Dysthymia Females • Special Sex Offenders cottage/program • Foothill High School • Treatment Teams

  8. Project Second Chance • 1 month long session (3 weeks with dog) • Seven sessions a year • Resident responsible for dog’s daily care • Gentle Method of dog training (operant conditioning) treats and praise • Daily lessons relating to animal issues: Overpopulation, responsible animal ownership, history of dogs in society • Empathy development – from ANICARE

  9. ANICARE MODEL: PYSETAKen Shapiro/Mary Lou RandorGuiding Principles • Establishing Accountability • Creating and Environment of Challenge • Establishing a Context of Change • Empathy training

  10. Initial Information BOAT Inventory • General Information on animal ownership • Positive • Negative • Animals used to coerce, punish or threaten • Witness abuse of animals

  11. EMPATHY DEVELOPMENT • Exercises: Pledge of nonviolence, behavior agreement • ZERO tolerance for abuse or neglect • Exercises with specific outcomes

  12. EMPATHY DEVLOPMENT, CONT.Students are given these types of scenarios to discuss • “Fallen Bird” A very little baby bird was in her nest waiting for her mother and father to return with food. She was eager to see them so she wiggled to the edge of the nest. But she made a mistake, went too far, and fell out of the nest. She landed on the ground below the tree, all alone. She didn’t know how to get back on her nest because she was too young to fly. If you were the baby bird, how would you feel? Would you feel alone? Frightened? Sad? What other feelings would you have? (Discussion)

  13. DIMENSIONS OF EMPATHY • Emotional – recognizing needs and fears in others • Compassion – how others depend on you to help get their needs met when they are unable to care for themselves • “Be The Dog” – assuming the role of their dog, answering as the dog would, expressing feelings as the dog would

  14. Remember John, you’re being Sparky… try to answer as Sparky Really? Like what? Wow you must be really excited. Who taught you those things? You must really like your trainer He…uh I mean - I learned lots of stuff I learned to walk on a leash and come when called My Trainer did Yeah I do “Be the Dog”

  15. What do you like about him? What does that mean… “takes good care of me?” Every day? So you depend on him? Sparky,how does that make make you feel? How does he do that? Boy that sounds nice What else does the trainer do? That’s great, cause you cant do that for yourself, can you? Well lucky for you John is there for you He takes good care of me He feeds me Yep Yes Good. He trains me too He talks nice to me, gives me Food& treats whenI do good Yep, I like when he talks nice He cleans my cage, brushes me when my coat gets tangled Nope, and it hurts when it gets all tangled

  16. My dog is six months old and she is still a puppy. She is a great dog and and very loving and playful. I guess what I like about her is that she is beautiful and playful, but hard headed like me, and that’s what I like most about her. I have worked with Sidnye for three weeks and to let her go with someone new, knowing I won’t ever see her again makes me feel sad, cause I’ve really got attached to her. Please don’t tie or cage This dog up cause she does not need to be in a cage like a wild dog does. She will probably get you mad at her the first few days you have her cause she don’t know you. I can only tell you that you will love her cause she will love you. She needs lots of love an phrasie [sic]. Give her your hart[sic] and you will see what a great dog you have. Adoption letters

  17. Journal Jax – trained by DH We got are [sic] dogs. I saw that dog and said I want that dog and that dog came strate [sic] to me. I think he is thinking where's my family? Why am I hear?[sic] This boy seems nice so I will be nice. So we had a lot of fun today. We walked ran and sat down all together. I already love that dog and I hope I do a good job with him and he gets a new home. I love this program because it shows us how to treat dogs with respect.

  18. MEASUREMENTS • Examine journals and letters for evidence of empathy • Interview participants • Interview staff • Satisfaction surveys • Follow up at 6 months, 1 year • BEES

  19. Challenges with MeasurementBalanced Emotional Empathy ScaleAlbert Merabian • Acquiescence bias: • Attention spans • Staff follow through • The mood of the day drove the answers

  20. Promising new tool • Current tools -Cognitive-behavioral, prescriptive, intensive = short term benefits • New tool will addresses • Problem Solving • Decision Making • Long term benefits

  21. Tamara H Ward Community/Soc Service Specialist Youth Diagnostic & Development Center 4000 Edith Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505) 841-2424 fax 841-4240 THWard@cyfd.state.nm.us For more information

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