Youth & Paws Program

We began our work in Houston’s East End, and while we’re proud of our deep roots there, our programs now serve the entire city. We’ve recently partnered with the Houston Area Women’s Center to expand our mission and reach.

 

Our Youth & Paws Program (YAP) is a crucial part of what we do. By teaching children about proper pet care and the importance of spaying and neutering, we are not only creating responsible pet owners but also tackling significant public health and safety issues. Animal overpopulation and strays can lead to bites, disease, and other community-wide problems. Our educational efforts help reduce these risks.

 

The partnership with the Houston Area Women’s Center is particularly impactful. Many of the children we work with have experienced trauma. Through our program, they learn empathy and how to interact gently with animals, especially our therapy dogs. This interaction can be incredibly healing and, by caring for another being, they begin to understand that they have the power to create a positive experience.

 

Ultimately, our work is about much more than animal welfare; we are breaking the cycle of so many significant quality-of-life, mental health, and safety concerns in our community.