photos by Kim Fachet de Araujo
Some special community members are getting a second chance, thanks to the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter. Their partnership with Jail to Jobs, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, gives ex-offenders the tools they need to find employment. The shelter employs 5-7 young people at a time who assist the shelter with daily tasks like cleaning kennels, doing dishes, washing, and folding laundry. Then, in the afternoons, each “staff” member is paired with a shelter dog to train.
Participants gain skills, knowledge, and a sense of responsibility, while the dogs learn new behaviors and enjoy enrichment—giving both a new “leash on life.” Plus, while members of the program are developing their professional assets, they also make up a valuable workforce for the shelter.
SHELTER BENEFITS
On average, providing shelter dogs and cats the basic level of care they need—each and every day—requires approximately 90 staff hours.
Thanks to the hours the Jail to Jobs staff spend at the shelter, full- and part-time staff and regular volunteers are afforded extra time to assess dogs and cats, learn about their personalities, and figure out which home might be best for them. If staff find a behavior that needs addressing, they have more time to work with those animals because there is more time available during the day. Bottom line, Jail to Jobs means improvements in the quality of life, and potential future lives, for the animals.
CHAMP’S STORY
Management is pleased to have seen this program benefit the staff, volunteers, dogs and cats, and—of course—the youth who work there through Jail to Jobs. It gives them a “New Leash On Life,” and that’s where Champ’s matching donation comes in.
August 10 marked three years since Champ was in the shelter’s care after suffering a traumatic and life-altering injury. To celebrate his New Leash On Life, Champ and his person, Officer John Schultz, and Chisholm Trail Properties are matching donations to the fund used for the Jail To Jobs program, up to $5,000! As of this writing, they have raised $4,260 to match. Donations can be made at champsnewleash.givesmart.com.