A juvenile treatment center in St. Paul, Minnesota is trying to teach at-risk young men something about patience and discipline by having them teach those principles to "at-risk" dogs. The dogs, residents of an animal sanctuary called Home for Life, have been deemed unfit for adoption and many have come from abusive or neglectful situations.

"Five students meet with the dogs twice a week for eight weeks, and during the program they'll also take field trips to observe different careers involving animals - from the University of Minnesota veterinary program to doggie hydrotherapy... At the end of the program, the teens run their dogs through the Therapy Dogs International certification test."

Though the program is only in its second season, it's being considered a success. As the teens learn to gently persuade and teach the dogs, they experience success that boosts their confidence and helps them begin to heal from their own abusive or otherwise destructive pasts.

Learn more about SunHawk Academy, a residential drug treatment center, for teens struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.

Labels: responsibilty, therapy, treatment_programs