Although the remarkable bond between humans and certain animals is widely recognized, Gold Coast police have found that shelter dogs possess a unique ability to connect with disengaged youth and positively influence their behavior.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) has teamed up with Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) and Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs to launch a proactive program aimed at preventing youth crime on the Gold Coast, Australia.
The AWLQ program provides the young participants the opportunity to learn practical, reward-based dog training skills within an animal shelter environment.
In the program, the attendees learn to recognize and ease stress in the animals, as well as train their behaviors that increase their chances of being adopted.
The AWLQ program aims to break down barriers and build relationships with at-risk kids. Credit: myPolice Queensland.
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These include commands such as sit, drop, stay, touch, come, and walking calmly on a loose leash.
Benefits For At-Risk Young People
The attendees also benefit from the program as well. The participants gained a greater sense of responsibility, community engagement, self-confidence, problem-solving abilities, and empathy.
The program was the brain-child of Acting Sergeant Zoe Tidswell, who said she has witnessed the confidence and skills gained by the program participants. She also believes that the program has decreased the participants’ likelihood of engaging in anti-social and criminal behaviors.
Acting Sergeant Zoe Tidswell (middle), pictured with AWLQ’s Kathryn Clathorpe and a program participant, has been spearheading the initiative. Credit: myPolice Queensland.
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“The program helps to break down barriers and build relationships with at-risk young people who are usually reluctant to engage with authorities,” Tidswell said.
“By taking a group of at-risk young people to the animal shelter for a walk and to pat the dogs, they opened up and engaged with the officers, leading to an understanding of their situation and how they can be helped.”
The program attendees learn to train the animals’ behaviour that increase their chances of being adopted. Credit: myPolice Queensland.
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The first program ran for a four-week period last year, with overwhelmingly positive results. A second program, extended to five weeks, had all six participants attending every session and graduated from the program on March 30.
Acting Sergeant Tidswell expects the next program will be extended to a six-week period.
Dogs Benefit Greatly Too
It’s difficult to explain just how animals are able to connect with the at-risk children when even qualified and well-intentioned professionals struggle to connect with them.
However, Tidswell believes a dog’s unconditional love and non-judgemental nature are part of the magic.
The dogs benefit from this program as well by getting more attention, love, and training. Credit: myPolice Queensland.
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“Animals just possess that ability to comfort anyone. One of the participants in our program initially had high levels of anxiety, but at the end of the program gained enough confidence to speak to journalists,” said Tidswell.
“The dogs also benefit greatly from the program, receiving lots of love and attention.”
The dogs that are chosen from the program are usually those that are difficult to rehome and have been at the shelter for longer periods.
“Learning to socialize and following basic commands makes them a better candidate for adoption,” Tidswell said.
“Every dog that has been a part of the program has found a new home. So it’s definitely a win-win for everyone involved.”
You can learn more about the program by clicking here.
