K9 Youth Alliance Helps Pasadena’s Underserved Youth Understand the Importance of Empathy Through Dog Training

Nonprofit K9 Youth Alliance has been enriching the lives of underserved youth and homeless dogs in the greater Pasadena area since 2016. 

It does so by partnering with local animal shelters including Pasadena Humane and youth service providers including Boys and Girls Club Pasadena, in bringing underserved youth and homeless dogs together for a 3-week, immersive experience-based training.

The goal is for youth participants to develop leadership skills like clear communication, empathy, responsibility, public speaking and self reflection. 

“Many have not had the chance to have a pet, so in our program they have the chance to explore the human-animal connection, and the joy of working with a dog,” Kelly Osburn,  K9 Youth Alliance Co-Founder and Executive Director said. “The youth in our programs learn about important humane education principles and animal advocacy, which they report they then bring back and share with their friends and family.”

“A large number of our students cite patience as an important principle they developed while working with their dogs. Our interns gain important job skills such as how to ensure the program supplies are maintained, how to be a responsible role model for their peers, and how to take initiative,” she added. 

According to Osburn, each 3-week program includes an average of seven students and up to three interns. 12-15 volunteers assist the kids in training the dogs. 

Highlights of the 3-week program include: daily hands-on training work with shelter dogs; immersive, high impact, reward based education on basic skills and agility training for dogs; daily presentations on topics such as humane education, shelter dog advocacy, and positive reinforcement dog training techniques; special presentations by a professional in the field of animal services; tour of K9 Youth Alliance’s shelter partner; and graduation where our students get to show off how much they and their dogs have learned.

The dogs trained under the program are coming from Pasadena Humane, a community-supported animal resource center.

According to Osburn, they use a rewards-based approach or the force free method in teaching the dogs.

Boys and Girls Club of Pasadena Chief Executive Officer Lisa Cavelier said members of the club run the program twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring.

“We see so many results that come from our kids working with the dogs. They gain confidence, patience, knowledge of how to care for an animal, and they definitely also fall in love with the dogs,” said Cavelier. 

“I’m sure there is research out there about the impact dogs have on kids, perhaps especially kids who are stressed, and we see it first-hand. It’s such a sweet, caring environment for everyone and our kids just thrive.”

Cavelier said volunteers recently completed the fall program and had a fun graduation ceremony for the kids and the dogs. The next program will be in Spring of 2023.

“We’re so grateful that K9YA brings their program to our Pasadena kids. It’s been a great partnership for many years, and we look forward to many more,” said Cavelier.

People can get involved with K9 Youth Alliance by visiting its website at https://www.k9youthalliance.org and/or contacting Osburn, directly at K9YA@K9youthalliance.org.

For more information regarding Boys and Girls Club Pasadena’s programs and services, visit: https://www.bgcpasadena.org