ROBINLYNN’S STORY: GIVING BACK
WHEN I HEAR UNCHAINED, I VISUALIZE OPPORTUNITY. When I participated in the UnChained program at Kinship Center in Salinas two years ago, I went in not knowing what to expect. I graduated from it with new skills and a new awareness of myself.
The UnChained program gives struggling youth a chance to find themselves, to take responsibility for a dog and build connections with that dog.
In this program, we work with homeless animals, many that have been abandoned or surrendered at a shelter. We train them, love them, and give them the skills they need for their forever home.
The first day I walked into the program, I was nervous because I didn’t know anybody. Within the first few minutes, we all introduced ourselves, and a huge friendship began. I will never forget the first day of class because I learned how to let myself go and act like somebody different. On that day, I played the part of a dog! I walked all around the room, was trained with a clicker, and rewarded with candy. We all got to see how much faster we learned with praise and a treat!
After we left the center that day, I was bragging to my grandma about all the wonderful people I met and the tasks that the group and I had accomplished. I talked about the program to my friends – I was so happy and proud of starting something new that could help animals and other people.
Over the next eight weeks, I was partnered with a girl named Leslie, and we worked together to help train our program dog, Lady. Our group was made up of six girls and we trained three dogs. Leslie and I had the opportunity to work with our coach, Joel, who taught us a lot about how to help Lady, to train her, and to be appreciative toward her.
RobyinLynn explained, “I never wanted to go home after class. Being there made me feel calm and excited at the same time. Lady was somebody who wasn’t a person, but who needed my help. I really liked that.”
“Lady was like a good book that I didn’t want to put down. We understood each other without even talking.”
Following my graduation from the program, I stayed with UnChained as a volunteer. From work- ing with Lady to working UnChained events, I have enjoyed every bit of working with these amazing people. One day a few months after the program, I was reunited with Lady and we went to an event to show the skills we had both learned. I was so proud of her – she remembered the cues and shared her sweet nature with the audience. It was heartwarming for me to see how healthy she looked, how happy she was, and how well she was doing in her new home.
I know other Youth Trainers who have participated in the program and they talk about what a difference it has made in their lives. From realizing how patient they can be to what it feels like to help a dog find a home, each of us takes something special from our experiences with UnChained. I still think of it each time I see the photo of Lady and me on my desk. It has put me on a new, more positive path and I wish an opportunity like this for every youth.
