Heel-2-Heal

Developed in 2007, this innovative program takes UCHS shelter dogs over to the Central Ohio Youth Center, and UCHS volunteers and COYC staff work with the dogs and the residents over a 12-week period. The residents learn the benefits of positive rewards-based training, and the dogs receive valuable training that allows them to help more people down the road. During these 12-weeks the dogs live at COYC, and upon graduation the dogs achieve their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification and move on to work with individuals and/or families with special needs of many varieties. Some dogs are working with veterans who have Post Tramautic Stress Disorder, other dogs are working with autistic children and still other dogs are working in group homes for troubled youth in and around the Columbus, OH region.

Heel-2-Heal has been featured on Good Day Columbus with Johnny D on March 10th, 2009 and we hope to raise more awareness of the good work COYC and UCHS are doing together.

The results for this program have been phenomenal on all levels. Proof that dogs (animals, I think cats would have the same effect) are therapeutic, violence and fighting at COYC has reduced by 50%-75%, according to COYC Director Vikki Jordan. Juveniles who have graduated from this program have moved on to become productive members of society, some are even working with animals now because of their experiences. We have been fortunate enough to connect with individuals and families who can really use a CGC trained dog, and we feel that we are making a difference while using your regular "run of the mill" shelter dogs.

The costs for this program are absorbed collectively by COYC and UCHS, and the trained dogs are adopted out at the same price as shelter dogs who have not gone through the Heel-2-Heal program. We are currently looking for corporate sponsorship to help us with our overhead and costs in exchange for advertising and recognition. If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact Steffen or Vikki by clicking on their names to the right and emailing them.

We were recently featured on Good Day Columbus, check out Johnny's Blog for March 10th, 2009!

List of H2H Graduates and Trainers by Year

Ruff Reading

With the Ruff Reading Program, local school children read to shelter dogs at the library, or to the cats in our open cat room to increase literacy and confidence in reading outloud. Children record the hours they have read. At the end of the program the top readers are awarded prizes and everyone gets a pizza party. This program began in 2008 with 50 students, and in 2009 there were over 100 students. For 2010 we are expanding to other schools besides our pilot school of Northwood Elementary.

Kitty Connection

Connecting seniors with animals has been proven to be therapeutic and be beneficial to their health. At UCHS, we allow seniors to foster an adult cat for a long-term basis at no cost. If the senior is ever unable to care for their cat, we will guarantee to take it back and find the cat a new home. For $10/year, UCHS will assist with transportation and basic health check-ups by our shelter veterinarian. To sign up for the kitty connection email Carol@uchspets.org

The infamous Hank at Ruff Reading with owner Kym Jarvis, CPDT

Contact Us

UCHS is a private nonprofit organization that relies on donations from the public.

To speak with UCHS about any of our programs:

Email: Steffen

To speak with COYC about the Heel-2-Heal Program:

Email: Vikki

To speak with our wonderful trainer and volunteer Kym Jarvis, CPDT:

Email: Kym

Becky and Brady at the Library with the Ruff Reading Program

Flower, a Heel-2-Heal graduate in training with one of the residents

Flower the H2H dog above as a graduate, working with Michelle Covert at the Columbus VA Hospital helping disabled veterans. Not a bad ending for a shelter dog!

Brady loves being read to!