America Deserves A Raise

Nobody deserves a raise more than Joan.

As principal of the school within a youth correctional facility, Joan knew the boys incarcerated for crimes ranging from assault and drug offenses to sex crimes and murder needed an education beyond academics. Most youth were below grade level in every subject, came from emotionally deprived backgrounds, and possessed few skills that would prepare them for jobs as adults. Many lacked social skills, empathy, and had trust issues.

So in 1993, Joan, an animal lover aware of the power of the human-animal bond, approached the superintendent and proposed a program in which youth would adopt shelter dogs facing euthanasia. The youth would train and groom the dogs and find them loving homes.

The superintendent agreed Joan could test her idea with one boy and one dog, and Joan’s program became her life’s work. She saw positive results so quickly she resigned from her position, set her program up as a non-profit, and devoted herself to it fulltime.

She transformed an unused building on the correctional facility’s ground into a kennel and sold her house to expand the program, creating components for job, computer, and communication skills. She arranged for groomers and trainers to educate participants about dogs and for business professionals to mentor youth on how to run a business. General contractors worked with participants to renovate the building, and soon dogs and youth were learning from each other; the dogs teaching the youth patience, trust, and compassion.

The program’s been incredibly successful. A 2001 study showed the 100+ youth who’d then been through it had a zero-percent recidivism rate. To Joan’s knowledge, that hasn’t changed.

Joan’s program is run entirely by foundation grants and donations. The state pays for one staff salary because the program is located at a state facility. Otherwise, Joan raises every dime. She earns a small, part-time salary as the executive director, but typically works 60+ hours a week. She supplements her income dog sitting and has even sold personal items to keep afloat.

The program has been featured on a popular TV show and has been the subject of a film in Japan. Joan has helped set up similar programs in Korea and has served as a consultant across the United States.

Program youth have earned credit toward high school diplomas; acquired hands-on construction and business skills; and learned trust, empathy, patience, communication skills, and how to be part of a team. When they complete their sentence, program participants find gainful employment or attend college; a number have spoken before civic groups and testified before the state legislature.

Joan’s program has given a second chance to two groups many consider untouchable: incarcerated youth and dogs nobody wants. No one deserves a raise more—Joan has even taken a volunteer pay cut during the struggling economy to keep the program alive. Her hours and dedication, of course, remain the same.