A Fair Shake For Youth Brings Therapy Dog Training Class To South Slope

Reporting by Kimberly Leon Sarni

On Sunday, January 24, dogs will extend their paws to hands and kids will extend their hands to paws.

The Brooklyn Dog Training Center 213 21st Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues) will a host an information class sponsored by A Fair Shake For Youth (AFSFY), a NY-based non-profit that harnesses the power of certified therapy dogs with the goal of making a positive difference in the lives of “at-risk” youths and middle-school aged students.

At-risk adolescents are less likely to transition successfully into adulthood and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Poverty, family dysfunction/instability, behavioral problems and low self-esteem, poor academic performance, emotional issues, and stress related to bullying are contributing factors.

Five years ago, Audrey Hendler went from a successful career in marketing to starting the non-profit, A Fair Shake For Youth. She witnessed first-hand how many of the children in New York appeared to be suffering from a lack of supervision, parental interaction, communication, and were often starved for a more structure environment.

“Why not combine troubled adolescents with canine companions?,” says Hendler. “Dogs are non-judgmental, and kids are then free to explore their emotions and learn coping mechanisms.”

Hendler has many years of volunteer work with prison and veteran programs witnessing first-hand how dogs can turn even the most-hardened criminals or individuals suffering from PTSD into functioning citizens.

AFSFY works the same way, by building empathy, understanding work ethics, and giving youths a fighting chance at a successful future in society.

The dogs participating in the program are a broad range. Large, small, purebred, mixed-breed, rescue dogs are utilized. These dogs come from all over, but share one thing in common — they are all certified therapy dogs and/or have passed the Canine Good Citizen Test.

Open to all five boroughs 25 kids are chosen to work with 2-3 dogs at a time. Each class lasts for 10 weeks.

“They learn everything from socializing, to agility, positive reinforcement and trust. Our dogs aid the children in building confidence,” says Hendler.

If you’ve ever owned a dog, you know that dogs do listen, and according to Hendler, “it’s a true benefit when kids feel they are being heard.”

The Class Rundown: Free Information Class with Certified Therapy Dogs, sponsored by A Fair Shake For Youth
Where: Brooklyn Dog Training Center, 213 21st Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues)
When: Sunday, January 24 from 6:00-8:00pm
Fee Details: The class is $350.00 for the two classes and the test. Once the team passes the test they are certified volunteers.
More Information: Visit AFSFY’s website or call 917-371-9005.