Pooches set to take over Mary S. Young Park

By Nicole DeCosta

The West Linn Tidings, Jul 12, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (3 Reader comments)

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Working as a team

Waki said that through their training process those in the program learn how to problem solve, work as a team and learn from each other. They also work with a professional dog trainer.

“We’ve always had an outside trainer to help with the (youths). Now, one of the youths is the lead trainer,” Waki said.

Project POOCH prepares the dogs for permanent homes after they leave MacLaren.

“The success for the dogs is an opportunity to first live and secondly to overcome any behavior problems that they may have,” Galle said. “The youth bond with these animals and in learning the skill of training them, develop such emotions as compassion, love, commitment, endurance and discipline. Many have never had that in their lives.”

To be adopted into permanent homes, dogs must pas the Canine Good Citizen Test – a series of 10 steps proving that the dogs have good manners at home and in the community.

The youths train the dogs for a few months to prepare for this test.

“(The dogs) have to be able to walk in a loose lead – not pull on the leash – sit and stay in place, come when called and sit politely when someone is petting them,” Waki said.

At the end of this test, dogs are paired with permanent families after several visits.

“If you had a child you wouldn’t just let them stay at someone’s home without first going over there,” Waki said. “We want to make sure (the dogs) have a safe place to sleep.”

A fresh start

Waki said that out of 100 youths who have completed the Project POOCH program, not one returned to correction.

“These people are changing their lives,” Waki said.

Just as those at MacLaren are seeing positive results from the program, those in the community have a lot to do with the program’s success. Project POOCH couldn’t operate without donations and grants from individuals and foundations, Waki said.

“It is extremely important that our community and surrounding communities know and support Project POOCH as we, as citizens of these communities are directly affected by what Project POOCH does,” Galle said. “These kids aren’t out stealing from our homes, taking our cars, perhaps being violent against us. Everyone benefits from this program.”

Galle chose Mary S. Young Park for the first Pooch in the Park event because she said West Linn has “the best dog owners in the state.”

Waki said she hopes Saturday’s event raises awareness and funds for the program, which is gaining in popularity around the world. Dalton traveled to Korea to help start a similar program there, Waki said. Visitors from Japan and England have visited Project POOCH to get ideas also.

So, what is it about dogs that allows the world to refer to them as “man’s best friend?”

“They provide love, affection, admiration, loyalty and commitment to us. They give us a reason to be active – walking, running, socializing with them. They give us an opportunity to express ourselves unashamed and unjudged,” Galle said. “We can be who we are with our pets and they still respond with love and loyalty. Wow. How much better does it get than that?”

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