Stray dogs help reintegrate young offenders in Girona
Teens improve social skills and learn important values while helping dogs heal from trauma
Girona has launched a pioneering program to help young offenders reintegrate into society by training stray dogs.
The program aims to help them learn values such as discipline and self-control, while improving their social skills and creating bonds with animals.
"At first, they were very scared and did not respond, but slowly, and with the help of the police dog handler, we were able to train them," says one of the teens who participated in the program.
Narcís Romero, the police dog handler who led the training sessions, says that working with animals gives them values such as "work, perseverance and dedication."
"It teaches them that when you do something well, things work out well, and when you do it badly, they get out of control," he says.
At the beginning of the program, the dogs were very anxious and uncomfortable. But with patience and effort, the participants were able to calm them down and help them become more confident.
"It promotes their resilience and positive attitude. The goal is that they can organize their life and have another chance," says Sergi Palomeras, from Girona's Justice Department.
The program can serve as a second chance for the dogs, because the better trained and calmer they are, the better chance they have of finding a new home.
"Now I am thinking of adopting a dog, or if they let me take the one I have trained, I would be very happy because I am very fond of him, and he obeys my instructions," says one of the participants.
"These dogs have been in very vulnerable situations, abused, abandoned, or lost. And this program also helps them get better," says Girona councilor Gemma Martínez.
The course lasts 20 hours, divided into different lessons. Although only three young offenders participated in this first edition, the Council is planning further editions.