Get to Know Our Program

The Buddy Project is a community-based program that pairs participants with rescue dogs. Student trainers learn positive-based training techniques to help the dogs move towards adoption. Through their experiences, Buddy Project participants work toward their own life goals. The Buddy Project is highly individualized and nurtures the needs of both the person and the animals they work with.

The goal of the program is to provide mutually beneficial experiences for the participants and the dogs.

Buddy Project clients can work on their own individual therapeutic goals in the areas of education, social skills, psychological/emotional healing, and preparation for the world of work, while the dogs they work with experience positive-based training and socialization opportunities that increase their adoptability. 

Social workers, mental health professionals, teachers, and parents refer individuals who may benefit from this program.

The Buddy Project collaborates with referring partners to develop individualized goals for each student. We then collaborate with the sanctuary staff to develop the training and enrichment plans of our dogs within the program. 

Most of the dogs reside at the animal sanctuary in Ashford, CT. 

Based on individual goals, we may also use helper dogs that are trained and cared for by the educators in our program. 

The selection of dogs for our program is based on a combination of behavioral evaluations and observed interactions by our behavioral team. Qualifying dogs have demonstrated both high sociability and training motivation. Individual needs and goals are taken into consideration when pairing a student with a dog.

Buddy Project sessions are held at our Sanctuary in Ashford, CT. However, there may be location accommodations offered on a case-by-case basis. 

Sessions are provided once a week for an hour. Unless otherwise requested, sessions are offered on a one-to-one basis.