FARMINGDALE
- Residents of the New Jersey Juvenile Justice
Commission's Fresh Start Residential Community
Home have completed the fostering program
for Spock, a black male Labrador Retriever,
that will be returned to the Seeing Eye
located in Morristown to complete the final
phase of his training to become a guide
dog.
Spock, who was born at the end of February
and arrived at Fresh Start on May 2, will
return to the Seeing Eye this week. During
his 18 months of training, a team of residents
helped socialize the potential Seeing Eye
dog and taught him basic commands including,
sit, down, park and rest. As part of Spock's
socialization, he attended Ocean County
4H Puppy Power Club meetings with his resident
handlers and JJC staff. Regular training
and interaction have prepared Spock to return
to the Seeing Eye where he will begin intensive
training in preparation as a service dog
for a sight impaired individual.
“Our
residents understand that they have an important
responsibility to care for Spock and develop
his skills so that one day he can help someone
who needs assistance. While the JJC and
the Fresh Start residents and staff will
be sad to see Spock leave, we know that
he will be a lifeline for someone who desperately
needs the services he can provide,”
said Michael Dindak, Superintendent, Fresh
Start. Residential Community Home.
"The
Seeing Eye would not be able to do what
it does without the volunteer assistance
of our puppy raisers. We know that puppies
spending their early months in kennels are
not as successful as dog guides as those
raised in the homes of families, where they
receive the attention and nurturing they
truly need. We are so grateful for the efforts
of the young people raising Spock, and for
the hard work of all our volunteer puppy
raisers," said Christine Dickson, Manager
of Puppy Placement.
“Many of our residents have never
known the unconditional love offered by
a pet. Many have led troubled lives with
little stability and structure,” said
Howard L. Beyer, JJC Executive Director.
“The JJC's partnership with the Seeing
Eye and the Ocean County 4H Club not only
encourages our residents to develop a relationship
with an animal while providing care and
support, but it allows these young people
to give back to their community and know
that are helping to give someone the gift
of independence.”
Fresh Start Residential Community, located
in Farmingdale, serves up to 28 male juveniles
who range in age from 13 to 18. The JJC's
classification committee refers residents
with serious emotional disorders, cognitive
impairments or those who are vulnerable
within other JJC residential community homes
or facilities to this facility. The goal
of Fresh Start is to provide a safe and
secure setting for young people with special
needs where their individual rehabilitative
needs are addressed. Residents are committed
to the JJC by the Family Court system. The
program does not accept juveniles serving
a term of probation.
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Realizing Potential & Changing Futures
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