A program that gets troubled young people outdoors and working with search and rescue dogs is building the self-confidence of students at Youth Progress, a non-profit youth living center in Portland.
For the past three years Youth Progress has partnered with Yutes N’ Hounds, a Bloodhound search and rescue organization.
Youth Progress serves high risk young people, ages 15-24, with housing and five days a week programs, and usually hosts no more than 60 students.
Students come from a variety of backgrounds. Most have either been involved in the juvenile justice system or have no appropriate home resources, and are often labeled as “difficult to treat.”
Of all the programs offered, students seem to like field trips to Yutes N’ Hounds the best, said Bart Sylfae, director of operations.
“It really turned into a one-day adventure camp that we’ve been utilizing for three years,” he said. “Everyone seems to enjoy being outside with the Bloodhounds. They always come back in a better mood then when they left.”
Andrew, a 17-year-old who’s been at Youth Progress for a little over a year, said working with the dogs has taught him self-confidence and skills he never would have thought of learning.
“I’ve actually now thought of becoming a handler,” he said. “I’ve always liked dogs but it was a new experience because I’ve never seen a Bloodhound up close,” he said.
Andrew says his fellow students see value in the program because they bond with the hounds.
“I know a lot of my peers they love animals,.You get some fresh air in the wilderness. You get to be around Bloodhounds.”
The connection between the two programs came about when Owen Trainor was looking through the phone book for youth groups so his Bloodhounds could help troubled teens
Seeing the response from the students at Youth Progress has been priceless. “That’s pay day. That’s the only thing I’m in it for,” he said.
Students spend the day doing various skills, learning to read the dog and understand how to track in mock search and rescue situations. Dog and student quickly form a bond and become a team.
“I thought that’s a perfect way for someone to let their energies flow,” Trainor said. “It’s just a special magical thing. Bloodhounds are a loving creature.”
Sylfae encourages other youth organizations who might not have the chance to get their students outdoors to take advantage of this program. “It’s just a darn shame if they have kids that don’t have access to the wilderness.”
Shelby can be reached at [email protected].
