\n
Individuals with severe mental illness are learning a new skill and gaining support, and shelter dogs are getting another chance at adoption at UNC PAWS (Peer-Assisted Wellness Support), a new program at the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health Farm at Penny Lane, <\/span>located about seven miles from the UNC-Chapel Hill campus in Pittsboro, N.C. <\/span><\/p>\nCollaborating with the paws4people foundation in Wilmington, N.C., a national organization that trains assistance dogs for individuals with disabilities, UNC PAWS completed its first shelter-to-pet therapy training session in August. <\/span>During the 12-week training, eight individuals with severe mental illness, referred by UNC clinicians, learn to train dogs and prepare them for adoption. <\/span><\/p>\nUNC uses the foundation’s shelter-to-pet program guidelines for developing the curriculum, and for training and selecting the dogs. <\/span>They are selected for temperament traits such as friendliness to other dogs, responsiveness to handler and energy level at a special \u201cdog pull\u201d at the Chatham County Rescue and Education. <\/span><\/p>\nOnce the shelter dogs arrive at Penny Lane, participants in the program use their acquired training knowledge to prepare the dogs for adoption. <\/span>Bryan Ragan, MSSW, PSS, manager of UNC PAWS and Sunny Westerman, BA, the adoption coordinator, also serve as coaches for the trainers when needed. <\/span>Morning and afternoon training sessions accommodate four individuals with each dog receiving two training sessions five days a week. <\/span>At the end of each session, participants make case notes for the dog they are training to update the next trainer.<\/span><\/p>\nResearch shows that individuals who interact with dogs experience greater health benefits such as lower heart and blood pressure rates. <\/span>The patients, also called clients, gain support from each other and learn or experience responsibility, improve self-confidence, empathy, sense of accomplishment and potential job skills. <\/span><\/p>\nBryan Ragan, MSSW, PSS, manager of UNC PAWS, says he can see the connection among the clients as he drives them to and from their pick-up stop at Carr Mill Mall.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThere\u2019s laughter in the van. Bonding happens, and it\u2019s like summer camp,\u201d he says. <\/span>\u201cThe group connects with each other. <\/span> It is a big deal.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\nAt the end of the program, the newly -trained dogs are ready for adoption. They have been spayed or neutered, their vaccinations are up-to-date, and they have been crate-and house-trained, socialized and ready for their new home. <\/span><\/p>\nPotential pet owners must complete an application that includes referrals. Westerman makes a home visit before the dogs are adopted and follows up after they are placed. There is a $100 adoption fee. <\/span>The four dogs from the first session were adopted immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe program is a great success,\u201d says Thava Mahadevan, MS, director of The Farm at Penny Lane and director of operations at the Center. \u201cClients are clearly benefiting from the interaction with the dogs, and we have outcomes from the first session. <\/span>We already have adoption inquires for the current group of dogs in training. <\/span>It\u2019s a win-win for our clients and the dogs.”<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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