Title: Rescue 2 Restore
1Rescue 2 Restore Implementing Animal Programs in
DJJ Facilities
- Chrissy Kaczynski, Animal Programs Coordinator
2Mission and Vision
- Mission
- Rescue 2 Restore is a mutually beneficial program
aiming to improve the quality of life for youth
housed in juvenile detention centers around the
state of Georgia while providing a second chance
for rescue/shelter dogs that would otherwise have
been euthanized. - Vision
- OFFER HOPE AND CHANGE, where youth will gain a
sense of responsibility and companionship, and
the dogs will become adoptable.
3Program Establishment
Rescue 2 Restore was established in June 2014 as
a component of the Georgia Department of Juvenile
Justice, Division of Volunteer Services. The
department identified animal programming as a
successful method to provide youth with life
skills, while educating the youth on animal care
and compassion. Behaviorally, animal programs
have proven to alleviate depression and encourage
good behavior. Rescue 2 Restore is responsible
for building community partnerships and providing
the youth with positive animal interactions and
lessons.
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4Scope of Service
- System Wide Services
- Training Providing structured dog training
programs in the facilities that house animals.
The training program will teach the dogs skills
to make them more adoptable, while teaching the
youth patience and using positive reinforcement
to create positive results. - Education One time and recurrent volunteers will
educate the youth on a variety of animal issues
including proper animal care, animal abuse and
cruelty, pet therapy, working and service dogs,
careers in the pet industry, and competitive dog
sports. - Community Partnerships Through community
partnerships the youth will be able to give back
to their community through programs in the
facilities and community service after release.
5Community Partnerships
- Dog Training Programs In these programs the
youth give back to the community by providing
training to dogs that would otherwise be
euthanized at local shelters. Through these
partnerships the youth are able to help the dogs,
rescue groups, and eventually families in their
community who seek to adopt a well trained dog. - Dog House Building Youth will be able to build
dog houses to provide proper shelter for dogs in
their community. Thus assisting both families who
cannot afford adequate housing for their pets and
the animals that benefit from proper shelter. - Community Service Partnerships Youth will have
opportunities to volunteer through community
outreach and animal welfare projects.
6Current Programs
- Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center
- Community Partner The Humane Society of
Northwest Georgia - Current Dogs 2
- Youth in Program varies
7Current Programs
- Muscogee Youth Development Campus
- Community Partner Humane Society of Harris
County - Current Dogs 4
- Youth in Program 9
- Training Currently have a 12 week training
program with a volunteer trainer assisting one
day a week.
8Future Programs
- Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center
- Community Partner The Humane Society of
Northeast Georgia - Planned of Dogs 4
- Planned of Youth varies
- Atlanta Youth Development Campus
- Community Partner Atlanta Pet Rescue
- Planned of Dogs 4
- Planned of Youth 8
9Community Partners Role
- Provide vet care for the dogs in the program
- Provide all supplies and medications needed for
the dogs in the program - Transport dogs who graduate the program to
adoption events and to meet potential families - If possible, provide resources for training and
speakers at their partner facility - If possible, provide community service or
employment opportunities for the youth in the
community
10 Animal Program Coordinator's Role
- Provide assistance in locating trainers and
speakers to supplement the program in the
facility - Assist in training DJJ staff and ensuring the
animals and youth are interacting in a safe
manner - Assist in evaluating the temperament of potential
dogs for the program - Oversee the implementation of new programs and
growth of existing programs - Evaluate program effectiveness
- Advise on best practices and assist with
identifying and implementing beneficial programs
11Expected Outcomes
- The youth will learn to use positive
reinforcement to achieve positive results through
training their canine partners - Good behavior will increase among the youth who
want to participate and remain in the dog program - Depression will decrease among the youth in the
program. - The youth will develop a sense of responsibility
through caring for their canine partner. - The youth will develop group and interpersonal
skills through training as a team.
12Expected Outcomes
- The youth will repay their community through
training homeless pets and assisting in making
them adoptable. - The youth will learn about animal care, rescue,
training, and adoption. - The youth will see the positive result of their
contribution when the animals graduate the
program and are adopted. - The DJJ will provide a service to the community
by housing the homeless pets at their facility.
13 Community Partnership Programs
- The Humane Society of the United States(HSUS)
Pets for Life Program - Youth required to complete community service
hours will partner with their outreach program.
They will learn about animal care and the HSUS
outreach efforts that provide veterinary care in
low income neighborhoods. - Lifeline Animal Project Dog House Building
- Youth at YDC locations with wood shops will build
dog houses to donate to Lifeline Animal Project
for their outreach efforts. - Lifeline will explain their efforts in low income
neighborhoods to the youth and follow up with
success stories after the houses are delivered.
14Contacts
- Chrissy Kaczynski
- Animal Programs Coordinator
- Christine.Kaczynski_at_djj.state.ga.us
- (470) 230-9308
- 3408 Covington Highway
- Decatur, GA 30032
- www.djj.state.ga.us