K9 YOUTH ALLIANCE ENRICHES THE LIVES OF YOUTH FROM UNDER-RESOURCED COMMUNITIES AND HELPS ABANDONED DOGS FIND PERMANENT HOMES. IN ITS TRADITIONAL PROGRAM MODEL, YOUNG PEOPLE AND SHELTER DOGS LEARN TOGETHER ONE-ON-ONE UNDER THE MENTORSHIP OF DEDICATED STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. THESE THREE-WEEK PROGRAMS USE REWARD-BASED, FORCE-FREE DOG TRAINING METHODS, HUMANE EDUCATION AND ANIMAL ADVOCACY TO PROMOTE LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL GROWTH FOR YOUTH WHILE HELPING SHELTER DOGS FIND LOVING HOMES. K9 YOUTH ALLIANCE PILOTED A PROGRAM VARIATION IN 2022. HERE, ADULT VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN A 3-WEEK TRAINING AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM, GAINING ADVANCED DOG HANDLING EXPERIENCE BY TRAINING ABANDONED DOGS AT THE SHELTER. THIS PROGRAM MODEL EQUIPS VOLUNTEER MENTORS WITH A BROADER RANGE OF SKILLS TO ASSIST YOUTH IN THE TRADITIONAL PROGRAM MODEL AND SERVE 2-3 TIMES THE NUMBER OF DOGS SERVED IN THE TRADITIONAL MODEL.