PROGRAMS FOR THE COMMUNITY

Project HEART (Humane Education for at Risk Teens)is a cooperation between the Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility and the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha, NE. This program is two-fold: educating at-risk youth and training shelter dogs who are lacking in basic manners and obediance. Everyone wins in this program!

NCYF houses 6 dogs on-site for approximately 12 weeks. During this time, inmates train the dogs in basic obedience, basic manners, and train them for the Canine Good Citizen test. The dogs in the program accompany the young men the majority of their days: to meals, to their cells, and to groups, programs and class. The dogs gain a great deal of socialization during their stay.

The young men benefit as well. They must interview in front of a panel to be in the program, and only the top candidates are selected. Not only do they have to train their dogs, but they must also learn vocational skills as well. They learn about and are tested on: parasites, diseases, first aid, canine body language, and many other topics.

These dogs are available for adoption prior to completing the program; however, they must remain at NCYF until completing the program.