Moses is truly what this program is all about.  Coming straight out of prison and having a very difficult time finding a job, he landed one here.  Though a little rough around the edges when he first started, it was the dogs that broke down all his tough guy barriers. 

In addition to now running our facility for the past three years, Moses also does stuntwork in the film industry working with some of our movie dogs.  His latest "gig" was the movie "Alpha Dog" starring Justin Timberlake, Emile Hirsch, Sharon Stone and Bruce Willis.  On hand to shake "Moe's" hand for his accomplishments was director Nick Cassavetes (who also directed the NoteBook). So how's that for a success story?

 

Pets In The Hood is a program designed exclusively for "high-risk" youth and their "high-risk" pets. As we go about our day to day activities, it is all too easy to forget or ignore what really goes on in that desperate, hellish place called the Hood.

There, our youth are being weaned on the sour milk of hate and violence. As they grow, their teachers in these asphalt classrooms are all too willing drug dealers and gang members. Many other kids are simply in a poverty stricken lifestyle where they see no escape, no future.

It isn't long before the hurt, the pain and then the anger set in. And these children learn very quickly to hurt. Not only do they hurt each other, but they practice their violent lessons on their subordinates - their pets. We then point the finger and call them ruthless, animal abusers. Maybe some are, but what about those who just don't know any other way?

These children, like their "killer dogs", aren't born bad. But without intervention, they certainly may turn out that way. We as a community need to make an attempt to reach some of these kids through something they care about - their pets. By showing them that these animals need them and are willing to give nothing but unconditional love. It may just change that negative way they've been taught to view life. We can replace that desperation with a sense of accomplishment and pride, maybe for the first time in their lives.

Dog fighting and other forms of animal abuse are a crime and those who do it should be punished. But many youngsters don't vet fully understand the rights and wrongs of what they're doing due to lack of family values and the environment they've been exposed to. Those are the ones we need to reach. Let's do it for the kids, and for those who suffer along with them - the Pets In The Hood.