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Dear Friends of Project POOCH,

IT HAS BEEN 15 YEARS since Project POOCH (Positive Opportunities--Obvious Change with Hounds) was founded as a therapy program for incarcerated male juvenile offenders. It was Jean Vollum who provided funding to get the program up and running.

In the beginning, youths who had very few high school credits before being incarcerated were able to become part of Project POOCH to earn credits in: work experience, careers, and communications. Once they earned credits while working in Project POOCH, they finished their other required credits to become a high school graduate.

Bob Jester, Director, Oregon Youth Authority, gave the keynote speech at our grand opening June 2, 1993. His support of the program then and now is testament to how troubled youths can change when planners are open to new ideas.

The first Project POOCH dog was named Grover after a campus wide vote. Grover was your typical Labrador retriever – full of energy and lovable. Although Grover was trained, he got a little too excited at the ceremony and slipped his collar. He started running in circles in hopes someone would play with him and ended up pushing a news reporter to the ground.

Today, we have room for 15 dogs and an education center where youths learn kennel management as well as how to care for and train dogs using positive reinforcement. All dogs come from various shelters and Humane Societies throughout Oregon.

We take the ones in need of training and socialization that otherwise may not be adopted. Problem dogs are often pullers, barkers and jumpers.

Many donors and foundations have made it possible for the youths to learn how to remodel the original dog runs, learn computer skills by keeping records and developing flyers for adopters to learn about our dogs. The Charles Engelhard Foundation provided funding for our education center which provides a place for youths to do projects on computers and a quiet place for speakers to present.

John Gray, Charles Allis, Stan Bland III and Bill Paulbitski have been generous in their ongoing contributions to the program mission.

The youths learned how to build a kennel from the ground up when Frank and Julie Jungers provided funding for five heated dog runs. Working and learning from real contractors was an added benefit for the youths.

A business class taught by Charles Allis, board member, helps youths with math skills and the importance of planning and research before starting a business.

Speakers teaching: dog massage, dog chiropractic, pet first aid, and a certified professional dog trainer have been added to the curriculum. Many volunteers now help with dog home visits, social skill development, and promoting the program so that more dogs will be adopted.

The numerous requests from other states and countries wanting to start a POOCH program brought about a week-long class held every June. The week-long class teaches the A-Z components of a POOCH program. We have had participants from as far away as the Netherlands and Japan.

We are most proud of how the youths in Project POOCH maintain high standards and work together as a team. Those leaving corrections have found jobs in dog grooming, dog day care, and veterinary clinics. Some have chosen to further their education in the field of animal care. Recent studies indicate POOCH youths have learned patience and that they are able to teach what they learn.

What is it about a dog that can make such positive changes? The youths will tell you that the dogs give them the love that many never received from a human. And, the dog doesn't care how you throw the ball; just throw it and it will be retrieved. The dogs are always happy to see their trainers – no questions asked!

It has been 15 years of win-win-win – the dogs win, the adopters win, and the community wins by receiving changed youths back to their respective communities.

Susie Waki, Volunteer Coordinator, has been working with many volunteers to make our major fundraiser, POOCH-in-the-Pub, an event that you and your friends will not want to miss on November 20 from 6 pm-9 pm at MacTarnahan’s Taproom at 2730 NW 31st Avenue in Portland. If you come, you'll have a barking good time!

Thank you to each and every person who has seen the value dogs and youths provide each other. Your support has been tremendous and we are very, very grateful.

With Gratitude,
Joan Dalton
Executive Director & Founder