In 2010, Audrey Hendler founded A Fair Shake for Youth, an innovative social and emotional program that brings therapy dogs into the lives of middle-schoolers in some of the poorest New York City communities. Why middle school? The organization’s executive director explains, “Middle school because they’re young enough, but they’re old enough to realize that, from dogs we can learn about ourselves and each other.”
The kids work with the dogs and build positive relationships with them. In the process, the 11-to-14-year-olds understand empathy, build self-esteem, and reduce bullying.
The veteran marketing executive founded the nonprofit after being a volunteer-cum-paid instructor for a prison dog program, Puppies Behind Bars. While witnessing the prisoners training puppies for careers as guides or service dogs, she saw their lives and attitudes change. “I thought, ‘Why are we waiting until kids are grown up and in trouble to bring that power?’ ”
And A Fair Shake for Youth was born.
“It was a slow, gradual process,” says the Cornell University grad, who has an MBA in economics from the University of Michigan. “I didn’t take a salary for a couple of years. My first board was made up of my friends from Citibank, where I had worked for years. I networked, reached out to organizations that certify and register therapy dogs, and became a therapy-dog evaluator myself. I started hiring instructors and looking for volunteers.”
A Fair Shake for Youth, Inc. partners with schools and settlement houses, offering 10-week programs where young people learn basic dog-handling skills using positive training techniques. The curriculum includes topics that often mirror the youths’ own life experiences—shelters, rescue, discrimination.
Because dogs are honest and non-judgmental, they provide a secure catalyst for growth and change. “Dogs live in the moment and don’t care what’s going on in your house or what sneakers you’re wearing. None of that,” says Hendler.
The dogs make it safe for the students to let their guard down. to love and be loved, to see the power of positive reinforcement and building relationships based on trust and mutual respect, to see dogs given a second chance, take it, and succeed.
As the kids learn to work with the animals, they learn about themselves and one another in ways that open up new possibilities for their lives.
The entrepreneur states that the program is vital because “As the economic divide widens and divisiveness grows, the need to foster empathy, understanding, patience, tolerance, and other social and emotional skills is critical.”
The thing Hendler says she’s most proud of is the impact the program has on the kids.
“I can tell you that no matter where we go, the kids are just kids. They are the same. They want to know that they have a future, that they’re good enough, that they’re lovable, and that they can love.
“Watching kids blossom and change—and they do—is really powerful and gratifying.”
“Middle school, because they’re young enough, but they’re old enough to realize that from dogs, we can learn about ourselves and each other.” —Audrey Hendler