This document summarizes a project called PROJECT LEAD that aims to engage young offenders in responsible dog ownership activities. The project involves young people completing reparation hours by socializing dogs to help them get adopted, walking dogs for vulnerable residents, and visiting care homes with therapy dogs. The goals are to teach young people responsible dog ownership skills, provide community benefits, and help with the young persons' rehabilitation. The summary outlines the background and methods for each activity, including supervisor roles and safety procedures.

1. PROJECT LEAD
(Linking Education Activities with Dogs)
1. Purpose
The project aims to work with young offenders as a preventative strategy
to tackle attitudes towards so called ‘status dogs’ and dogs being used as
weapons through the promotion of responsible dog ownership. Although
this is not a big issue in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea this
work will aim to act as a preventative measure and also respond to
residents’ concerns about dogs in the borough. Concerns around dogs
and anti-social behaviour were considered in a report by the RSPCA on 5th
July 2011 where they recommend that the
government directly targets ‘street cultures’ in
relation to dogs and offending behaviour. The Dogs
Trust, who we are in partnership with for Project
LEAD are already running the ‘City Dogs’
programme which works with young dog owners and
their dogs in deprived urban locations by offering
advice and practical help, in order to educate them in responsible dog
ownership. The Dogs Trust states that many young urban dog owners
lack the basic knowledge about dog welfare and this can lead to dogs
being out of control or unhealthy. Their education programme helps to
reduce this by giving practical skills to targeted dog owners.
2. Background
This project is new to the UK and has been successful in the USA.
The MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in the USA has successfully
been running the ‘Project Pooch’ scheme with homeless shelter dogs
since 1993. Sandra Merriam (Ph.D) from Pepperdine University
reports that, based on survey responses from the staff at MacLaren,
the young people who participated in this project showed marked
behaviour improvement in areas of respect for authority, social
interaction and leadership. She reports that young people
interviewed felt they had changed and improved in areas of honesty,
empathy, nurturing, self-confidence and pride of accomplishment.
She reviewed recidivism data among young people who attended the

2. project and found it to be zero. (http://www.pooch.org/about.htm).
There are currently 65 prison-based dog training programmes in the
US.
3. How works in Kensington and Chelsea
• Dog Socialising – Young people work with a dog
trainer to socialise dogs in dog homes to increase the
opportunity for the dog to be suitable for re-homing.
To successfully train a dog the young person has to
demonstrate being fair, calm and apply consistent
boundaries through positive reinforcement. This work
can also be very rewarding. The Dogs Trust point out
that visiting dogs in dogs homes can raise awareness
which could
discourage young people from breeding dogs.
• Pets as Therapy – Young people visit a care
centre with a dog that has been
assessed as suitable for therapy visits. The
dog will help bridge the gap between the
young and older generation to assist in
intergenerational work. These visits can be
very rewarding for the young person who is
helping to provide an enjoyable visit for people who access the centre.
• Dog Walking for Vulnerable Residents – Young people meet their
supervisor in a nearby park and walk a vulnerable resident’s dog for 1
hour. This assists residents who would be unable to walk their dog due
to mobility issues/illness etc. A companion animal can be very
important to someone who might find it difficult to get out or who is
recovering from illness, this scheme enables people in this situation to
ensure that their dog is exercised and happy.
4. Overall Benefits
• Kensington and Chelsea, who started this Reparation work in
the UK and piloted the project, say that it is good project to
engage young people with since it is something young people
are motivated by and the project is straightforward to run.
• It challenges current trends around young people and dog
ownership by offering young people the opportunity to work
with a social animal in a controlled setting.

3. • There are positive therapeutic effects of working with a social animal
which have been proved to reduce anxiety through reducing blood
pressure and heart rate, reducing the stress hormone Cortisol and
increasing Oxytocin which facilitates bonding and social attachment,
promotes trust and nurturing behaviours and increases feelings of
happiness and satisfaction.
• It promotes pro-social modelling through supervisors demonstrating
successful approaches to changing behaviour which is demonstrated
through positive reinforcement in dog training.
• Young people have the opportunity to develop good work habits such
as responsibility and punctuality, learn vocational related skills and
competencies, increase self esteem and get a feeling of
empowerment through helping others, and practicing skills such as
patience and communication/engagement with others.
• Through Reparation this project benefits the community and
encourages a sense of community responsibility with young people.
• It promotes good partnership working by drawing on the resources
and expertise of agencies, the Council, the police and third
sector/voluntary groups.
• Socialising dogs for re-homing will free spaces in dog homes which
could be used by the Council for stray/seized dogs.
• Dog walking for vulnerable residents will mean that people whose
companion animal might be a great source of comfort for them will
not have to give up their pet due to not being able to walk it.
• ‘Pets as Therapy’ visits to care homes will help bridge the relationship
between young people and the older generation through facilitated
meetings with a dog attending to encourage conversation and for
therapeutic value for people in care homes.
“ …if there is a capacity for affection, compassion, for empathy
or tenderness overlooked by our human fellows, a pet has an
uncanny ability to ferret it out.” (Cusack, 1988)
Conclusion
This innovate Reparation project encourages local young
people to think beyond themselves and their own
circumstances by imparting responsibility through a
rewarding piece of work. This will allow them to develop
abilities such as responsibility, patience, respect for life
and compassion, which could help build confidence,
empowerment and making them more job ready as well
as benefitting the wider community.

4. Before Getting Started –
Key considerations/potential risks to consider
• Risk Assessments - Each part of the project has a risk assessment
written up in partnership with the animal welfare organisations. Young
people will go through a health and safety presentation before taking part.
Each organisation will fully assess the dogs involved. ‘Pets as Therapy’
dogs are also assessed for their suitability for working with older people.
• Insurance - The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Insurance team
have given the go ahead. Each organisation has consulted with their
insurance provider and have agreed cover.
• Supervision - Supervisors are experienced in working with young
offenders and dogs. The supervisors are members of staff who are willing
to volunteer for extra duties as part of this scheme including Council staff,
Parks Police and PCSOs. No young person will be left unattended at any
time. When dog walking for vulnerable residents, dogs will be collected
from the home by the supervisor to meet the young person in the park. A
supervisors’ Code of Conduct is in place.
• Media - Focus will be on the therapeutic aspects and Reparation to the
community. The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Community
Safety Media and Communications Officer has met with the organisations
prior to starting any work with them to ensure they are on board with the
Council regarding how press interest will be dealt with and plans. There
will be a coordinated press and publicity approach working with the
Council’s Media and Communications, Youth Offending Team (YOT), Police
and Dogs Trust/Mayhew Animal Home. Agreement to take publicity
forward will need to be approved by all partners involved. Plans have been
made so that each organisation is aware that they must take into account
when matching a young person with a dog that young people will not be
working with any dog deemed dangerous or so called ‘status’ dogs.
Publicity will focus on positive aspects of the work such as the benefit to
the community, including the elderly and immobile, through dog walking
and ‘Pets as Therapy’ work, as well as young offender’s rehabilitation and
savings for the Council.

5. • Cost - This is an ongoing project with minimal cost. The animal welfare
organisations will not be charging for their intervention and the supervisors
are volunteers. There will be minimal costs for printing leaflets to advertise
the free dog walking service, for example. The partnership working
element also draws on the resources, expertise and energy of many
agencies.
• Timescale - This is an ongoing project since it is cost effective and simple
to run. There is capacity to employ more volunteers in future especially as
the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea becomes a tri-borough
shortly. More volunteers will be recruited and trained to supervise young
people.
• Attendance – Young people are assessed for suitability by the YOT. Young
people who would benefit most from the project due to issues around
contact with dogs/dog ownership/related offences will be prioritised. Young
people not attending/engaging once referred will be dealt with through YOT
procedure.

6. PROJECT LEAD
How it works – Aim and Method
Dog walking for vulnerable residents
Aim: A young person completes Reparation hours walking a dog for a vulnerable
resident, assisting residents who find it difficult to walk their dog due to mobility
issues/illness etc. The young person is given the opportunity to learn about
responsible dog ownership.
Method:
1. Leaflets delivered advertising the scheme to residents
2. Residents can self refer through returning form on leaflet or be referred
through relevant agency.
3. Supervisor identified and provided with relevant ‘Instructions for
Reparation Supervisor’.
4. Supervisor meets with resident to complete ‘Dog Walkers Checklist’ and if
appropriate contacts the YOT for a young person to be referred.
5. Suitable young person is presented with the health and safety power point
presentation and given information on dog walking from supervisor or YOT
worker.
6. Supervisor collects dog from resident and meets young person at an
agreed spot (young person not to attend resident’s home).
7. Supervisor and young person walk dog for approx 1 hour. Supervisor
uses this opportunity to discuss responsible dog ownership and encourage
young person to engage with the dog for bonding purposes.
8. Supervisor to return dog to owner at the end of the session and report
back to YOT on how the session went including the number of hours
completed.
9. Once hours are fully complete then supervisor to write to young person to
let them know how it went and to thank them for their time.
Dog Socialising Mayhew Animal Home
Pilot – 10 hours
Aim: A young person completes Reparation hours attending the dog home
assisting the service by walking and socialising dogs in the aim of making dogs
ready for re-homing and providing dogs with company and play whilst they are
in kennels. This should speed up the re-homing process which could mean more
spaces in animal homes to avoid local authorities having to pay kennel fees for
seized animals. The young person is given the opportunity to learn about
responsible dog ownership, learn about dog handling and be part of the re-
homing process.
Method

7. 1. Supervisor identified and provided with relevant ‘Instructions for
Reparation Supervisor’.
2. All supervisors will need to be inducted at the Mayhew Animal Home on
Health and Safety and Dog handling.
3. Suitable young person referred is presented with the health and safety
power point presentation and given information on dog socialising from
supervisor or YOT worker.
4. Supervisor collects young person and takes them to the Mayhew Animal
Home.
5. Young person is given and induction which consists of a presentation on
the work of the Mayhew Animal Home and the challenges it faces as well
as a Health and Safety and dog handling induction.
6. Supervisor and young person walk dog or socialise dog for approx 1 hour.
Supervisor uses this opportunity to discuss responsible dog ownership and
encourage young person to engage with the dog for bonding purposes.
7. Supervisor to return young person to a suitable location in the borough at
the end of the session and report back to YOT on how the session went
including the number of hours completed.
8. Once hours are fully complete then supervisor to write to young person to
let them know how it went and to thank them for their time.
Dog Socialising Dogs Trust
Aim: A young person completes Reparation hours attending the dog home
assisting the service by walking and socialising dogs in the aim of making dogs
ready for re-homing and providing dogs with company and play whilst they are
in kennels. This should speed up the re-homing process which could mean more
spaces in animal homes to avoid local authorities having to pay kennel fees for
seized animals. The young person is given the opportunity to learn about
responsible dog ownership, learn about dog handling and be part of the re-
homing process.
Method
1. Supervisor provided by the Dogs Trust.
2. Suitable young person referred is presented with the health and safety
power point presentation.
3. Dogs Trust Supervisor will arrange to meet with young person prior to
visit to discuss dog handling with them and to match them with an
appropriate dog.
4. Dogs Trust Supervisor will collect young person from the YOT and escort
them to the animal home for their Reparation Session.
5. Young person is given a tailored programme on dog handling which will be
relevant to their individual ability and needs. This programme is drawn up
and given to the YOT.
6. Supervisor and young person socialise dog for approx 1.5-2 hours with 30
minutes feedback at the end. Supervisor uses this opportunity to discuss
responsible dog ownership and encourage young person to engage with
the dog for bonding purposes. Young person is included in the re-homing
process, if possible they will be advising new owners on the needs of the
dog they have socialised.

8. 7. Supervisor to return young person to a suitable location in the borough at
the end of the session and report back to YOT on how the session went
including the number of hours completed.
8. Once hours are fully complete then supervisor to write to young person or
provide a certificate to let them know how it went and to thank them for
their time.
Pets as Therapy Visit
Pilot – 12 hours
Aim: A young person will complete Reparation Hours visiting a care home with a
therapy dog. The therapy dog will hopefully bridge the gap between the young
and older person to assist in intergenerational work as well as the therapeutic
benefits of an animal visiting the care home.
Method
1. Supervisor with dog identified and provided with relevant ‘Instructions
for Reparation Supervisor’.
2. Supervisor to apply to Pets as Therapy to complete the relevant process
which includes the dog passing the Pets as Therapy conditions. This can
take approx 2 months.
3. All supervisors to abide by Pets as Therapy instructions for the visit to
comply with insurance and health and safety regulations.
4. When a care home is identified by the local police team, the supervisor
must provide the care home with a consent form which must be signed
and returned to Pets as Therapy.
5. It may be appropriate for the supervisor to visit the care home with the
dog on an occasion without the young person to introduce themselves
and get a feel for the venue before Reparation begins.
6. Suitable young person referred is presented with the health and safety
power point presentation and given information on working with dogs
and in a care home from supervisor or YOT worker.
7. Supervisor meets young person at the care home.
8. Young person is given and induction which consists of health and safety
relevant to the building.
9. Supervisor and young person visit residents with the dog as part of the
therapy visit, the supervisor enables the visit by encouraging the young
person to engage. The young person can also assist the care home with
other tasks, for example, handing out drinks, playing cards with
residents etc.
10. Supervisor to return young person to a suitable location in the borough
at the end of the session and report back to YOT on how the session
went including the number of hours completed.
11. Once hours are fully complete then supervisor to write to young person
to let them know how it went and to thank them for their time.