"Fixing people"

He quit. So far two boys have dropped out. One was replaced right away. This boy will not be replaced. After 2 weeks, it's just too late to come in and get caught up. Even though we work as a group, the boys need plenty of one on one instruction. The challenge of the teacher is to keep them all engaged, all the time.
We are only at the facility for such long hours during the first 2 weeks. Then we fade away as we are not needed so much. Everyone gets comfy with the schedule and both the staff and the kids know better how to handle their dogs in different scenarios.
I was asked if there was much down time when we work from 7am -9pm. Not really. There is time just observing while all is calm. There is time talking to teachers and specialists and maintenance men. It is never boring. I never look at my watch and think "only 2 more hours". I love being there and there is always a need, a question, an "incident", a problem to solve, constant reminders of what to do.
The boy who quit just didn't feel he could focus on the dog or the training. He "wanted to reflect" he says. He tells me that "he just found out that one of his homeboys was killed" and he needed to have time to think about everything. I gave him the speech about not quitting, about leaning on his partner for awhile till he felt better, about commitment, about wanting him in the program because he was good. Didn't matter. He has essentially disconnected and keeps himself very isolated from his entire group. Bummer.
We sign virtual contracts with the boys. They are made aware of all of their Rights and Responsibilities. I have not had any experience that this is a valuable tool for eliciting desired behavior. We will present, agree to and sign them, but just because it necessary protocol, not because it makes one iota of difference to these kids. It's not relevant on a daily basis.
On the up side, the other kids are doing really well. The kids with learning issues are helped immensely by TAGteach.
The truth is that although I was really disappointed to see this child drop out, that's the way it goes. You do your best to make the best choices for the program and find who will be most helped by working with dogs this way. Reality check. We (me) are not always right. If we start with 8 and end up with some good successes with 6, that's still a winner. Isn't it?

The email sent to me today.

Here is the email I found in my inbox when I got home tonight. Before you read it, know that tonight, Thursday, is the night that boys can have visits from family. While some kids were spending time with Moms, Grandma and cousins, I was talking to some of boys who did not and almost never get a visit. I talked at length to two kids today. Both of them thanked me for talking to them. Sigh.
One of the Loosen the Leash boy's father was killed almost exactly a year ago. His mom is an addict and he says she just recently got "locked up". I asked him where he will go when he gets released. He doesn't know. Today he got a "I am breaking up with you" letter from his girlfriend. The outside of the envelope had the word "Good bye" printed on it. He can barely speak. I am already so worried about him. You could advise me (and some have) to not get involved, "keep your boundaries" . Well, tell me where they are going to go and when someone is going to care for them for awhile. Not by someone who doesn't want them or who is mostly absent or a drug addicted, but a healthy person. Then I will have much better luck with my boundaries.

So, after that loooong introduction, here is the email that has my emotions at full throttle tonight:
"Hello. My name is (blank) and I am an ex-offender. I was incarcerated at the age of 17 and spent almost 11 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. I grew up in prison. I was one of the first offenders chosen to be a part of the CHAMP prison program when it started at Vandalia. I was a trainer in the program until I was released in 2007 and I still volunteer for the organization. Not sure if you are familiar with CHAMP, but they train assistance dogs. I wanted to share with you from the perspective of someone who has been there that what you are doing WILL impact the lives of these teens. You will have struggles out the wazoo trying to deal with their baggage as well as the dog's baggage. But each little success will feel so amazing and even though the kids may not show it, it will dramatically change their thinking process. I have worked with youth offenders while incarcerated through the Outreach/Scared Straight program and having been one myself, I understand just how much effort it takes to break through the layers they have built. If you would ever need assistance or would like someone to speak to the kids, please feel free to contact me. I would love to help with your mission in any way I can. Unfortunately, with a prison record it's hard to find meaningful employment or I would donate financially".

For the record, I don't know a great deal about CHAMP personally, but what information has come by me has all be exceptionally positive. I would love to collaborate with them in some way. Somebody send some love to CHAMP.

So this wraps up day 4 and I don't tell you the half of it.
Peace.
Cindy
--

Welcome to Missouri Hills!!

I'm back.
We are now beginning to settle in at our new facility in Fort Bellefontaine county park aka Missouri Hills. Photo is the picture I see on day two. I have to stop for a minute to remember where I am. This makes me smile, and I'm compelled to run out and get my camera. Then I ask this brilliant question to the kid next to him. "What's he doing?" (Like maybe the kid working can't hear or speak). "He's crocheting a blanket".
Of course he is. What's the big deal?
Even though I am not new to this, I just didn't expect to see blanket crocheting in a medium security facility for juvenile offenders. What-no gun? No threatening stares? No big bad attitude. Nope. Not today.
We have just started the Loosen the Leash program at this new facility. Let me give you the brief run down of what happens in the first few days.
Before we bring dogs to the facility:

1. Interview all kids who are candidates. They have to meet our requirements for our funding. Kid must have staff approval to participate. Kid writes an essay saying why he wants to be in program..

• Not one kid I interview has a Dad who is present in his life. Not one.

• All of the kids except one act like they really want to please me. The majority seem nervous to talk to me.
• The reasons for committment to DYS vary. Most have stolen something and/or broken into houses. Some sold drugs (marijuana or ADD meds). 2 are sex offenders. None have crimes against another person.
  

2. Day One-Christy (trainer) and I do aggression assessments on dogs for HOURS at the APA. The hardest part is finding dogs that get along well with one another and there has to be 4 compatible dogs. We choose the 4 we want, give them baths, and they get delivered with food to Missouri Hills. APA transports the dogs and supplies the food. They all supply all the medical care. Big shout out to the APA for that! As of Monday, 4 dogs are eating, sleeping, going to school, getting walked, getting trained by 8 juvenile offenders (and I like all of them).

• Dogs and kids get paired up. 2 kids to one dog. This part is awesome. The kids are soooo happy with the exception of one boy who thinks he wants a different dog. We play clicker games and learn the self control exercise. I show the kids how to breathe (yeah really) and we reward calmness. Aaahh.
• We TAGteach the kids (ask me about that sometime....do it). Kid does the correct leash handling, THEY GET TAGGED ( they receive a sound that means "that move was just right". For me TAGteachin is the best thing that has ever happened to me as a teacher.
• All the teaching specialist come to class and observe. They are all superstars. This group of educators are unique in their extraordinary way of "keeping it fun and keeping it real". They have the difficult job of assessing, reporting, teaching difficult kids, very undereducated kids and then have to also do mounds of paperwork that takes tons of time away from teaching. (sorry for editorializing- had to do that).
• One kid quits. DAY TWO. He will not come to class. Already? What did I do??? I feel like David Spade in Tommy Boy when the car door falls off the car and he has no idea why that happened. I am sad. What happened?
• What happened was the boy's mother told him she was not going to visit him anymore. She's way fed up with his antics that got him locked up (3 times). He shuts down. I talked to him for quite awhile and he is depressed. I am wondering if I can do anything to anticipate this kind of situation and diffuse it enough to keep kids in program.
• I miss the photo op of two boys sleeping with the dog in the middle under the bunk bed! They think she is tired but also think she is happier out of her crate, so they protect her and are completely comforted by her presence.

Welcome to Cottage One at Missouri Hills. I love my job.
Day 2