'Stories of second chances'
<p>New Vision High School Student Anna Rosa, 16, walks Cash, a miniature pinscher from the Kootenai Humane Society on Wednesday afternoon. The two were paired to extend their training skills and are apart of a program called Pawsitive Works.</p>
<p>New Vision High School Student Jesse Thornhill, 15, leashes up Bramble, a terrier pitbull mix in Post Falls Wednesday.</p>
POST FALLS - Anna Rosa and Cash have come a long way together in four weeks.
Rosa, a student at New Vision Alternative High School in Post Falls, has been working with Cash, a miniature pinscher, on listening to commands to prepare the dog for adoption.
Students in the nonprofit Pawsitive Works program, aimed at helping give both themselves and the dogs second chances, learn there are a lot of parallels between the dogs' lives and their own.
"I never really thought that I'd have the opportunity to work with dogs, so this has really opened my eyes," Rosa said while working with Cash on Wednesday. "I appreciate being able to do this.
"I just wish it was offered to people who aren't on probation as well because everyone could benefit from a program like this."
After 15 sessions both in the classroom and live training, the students and dogs will graduate from the program today. One of the dogs, Bramble, a terrier/pit bull mix, will meet her new owners during the ceremony. Other dogs in the program such as Cash are awaiting adoption.
The dogs are being sheltered at the Kootenai Humane Society and were slated to be euthanized in California before being transported here, said Laura Boro, Pawsitive Works trainer and board member.
"Dogs are often deemed unruly or unadoptable - much like youth," Boro said. "So, when the two are paired together, they become more empathetic and engaged. They're stories of second chances."
The program's tagline is "Shaping both ends of the leash."
Jesse Thornhill, a student who has been working with Bramble, said today's graduation will be bittersweet. He said he's proud of how the dog has been transformed from a high-energy canine to a well-behaved one, but will also miss the companionship.
"It's helped me understand the mindset of dogs," Thornhill said. "It made me realize dogs and us have a lot in common. We both can be put in a shelter. We both have sign language of when we're depressed, happy and shy.
"I'll always have a spot in my heart for Bramble."
Thornhill said the program has given him more patience.
"I used to get mad just sitting in a doctor's office," he said with a smile.
Rosa said the class has given her ideas about volunteering or even a career choice.
"When I'm done with the class, I'm thinking of becoming a shelter hand," she said.
Boro said it's heartwarming seeing both the students and dogs mature during the course of the program.
"We see the offenses of youth drop to zero during the program," she said. "Change happens on both sides with trust and respect, and that's really powerful. It's an amazing journey."