PAWSitive Changes, Inc.

The PAWS Program is sponsored by PAWSitive Changes, Inc.  Incarcerated youth are provided a second chance in life by caring for shelter dogs, rescuing them from an uncertain fate...

The bond that is created between youth and dog is a special connection that is based on common goals...

Canon; previously known as Gucci.  June 2008

Research shows that youth with pro-social community ties commit less crime and have lower recidivism rates.  PAWSitive Changes, Inc. provides youth a productive connection with their community.  For some youth, this is the first time they have experienced a positive bond and commitment to their society.

We strive to teach volunteerism and social awareness to our youth in order to create a more compassionate community for us all.

We believe that youth learn empathy by experiencing it.  For many youth, the interaction with an animal may be their first exposure to unconditional love, affection, and caring.  We use techniques of positive reinforcement to teach new skills.  The foundation of positive reinforcement is that we are praising behaviors that we want to see repeated.  Cognitively, animals and humans learn through praise, repetition, and role play.  Our program is critical in that youth are expected to role play and repeat pro-social behaviors in order to care for and train their dog.  Our youth learn to praise behaviors they want to see repeated in their dogs.  They never shame, yell, or act in an abusive manner.  We are teaching youth that by being compassionate and empathic, we can make greater strides together.  We believe that a compassionate community can be encouraged with the simplest of connections; the human-animal bond.  Further, our youth engage in educational activities weekly to learn more about dogs, dog behavior, training, vet care, and community issues.  Every week we pose a topic in our humane education curriculum and the youth are expected to complete homework assignments, activities, and reading.  Community volunteers provide their own time to enhance the learning environment through visits, lectures, and presentations.  We are an active team and believe that education is the foundation of progress.  Please join our team; together we are making pawsitive change happen!