View the 
printable PAWS Brochure (PDF*)
NEW! Adopt a PAWS dog!
PAWS is a unique program that uses the natural relationship that comes from the bond between humans and animals living together and being responsible for each other.
The PAWS program pairs select TJJD youth with K9 partners for 12 weeks. The dogs, who come from local animal shelters, learn basic commands, improved socialization skills, and earn American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizenship certification. Youth learn responsibility and benefit from the companionship.
During the 12 week program, youth are responsible for their dogs at all times. They must groom, feed, and train them. The dogs live on the dorm with their human caretakers. To reduce the chances of a pair becoming too attached, youth rotate K9 assignments.
Animal behaviorists, who consider breed characteristics, temperament, and reaction to distraction and other dogs, screen the dogs before they are accepted into the program. Youth who are interested must apply and participate in psychological screening.
Once the training program is completed, the TJJD facility and local animal center hold an adoption day. This is a chance for youth to help their K9 friends demonstrate their new skills and tricks and meet prospective new owners.
Therapeutic Benefits:
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department’s (TJJD) Ron Jackson State
Juvenile Correctional Facility is home to some of the state’s most serious and
chronic young female offenders. Most of these young women will be returning
home to their communities after successfully completing TJJD’s CoNEXTions© Treatment Program.
PAWS compliments CoNEXTions© because it teaches the youth empathy, compassion, responsibility, patience,
accountability, and dependability. The relationships the youth form with their
K9 companions help them develop skills that can be transferred to their
relationships with others, thereby increasing their chances for success in the
community.
Youth at TJJD have individualized
case plans, with unique objectives. PAWS helps the youth achieve some of their
objectives in creative ways ranging from youth researching their dog’s breed to
writing autobiographies or community re-entry success plans for their dogs.
The TJJD therapeutic approach involves connecting youth with positive
social forces and assets, drawing on community resources to engage youth, and
engaging youth in pro-social activities and opportunities. PAWS
is a natural fit.
THANK YOU SPONSORS!
Dr. Joe Speck, DVM Ag-Mart
Dr. David Geeslin, DVM Dr.
Pepper
“It’s been about the best thing of my
whole life,” said Samantha L., gently stroking the silky ears of Star, a blue
tick coon hound. Perhaps, if Star could talk, she would have agreed.
– the Brownwood Bulletin, April
11, 2010
How You Can Help:
- Volunteer
- Provide Education and Training
- Donate: Money, Dog Beds, Leashes and Collars, and Kong® Toys
- Buy a PAWS T-Shirt Designed by Youth
Tax deductible monetary donations should be made to the attention of the Brownwood Community Advisory Council for the Benefit of TJJD Youth, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
For More Information Contact:
Cris Burton, M.Ed.
TJJD Client Systems Manager
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Texas Juvenile Justice Department
P.O. Box 4260
Austin, Texas 78765
Office 512-424-6049
Holli Fenton
Dorm Supervisor
TJJD Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex
P.O. Box 1267
Brownwood, Texas 76804
Office 325-641-4200 Ext. 4586
Cell 325-203-7599
