"Joan Dalton is an exceptional teacher who applied her knowledge of people and animals to develop Project POOCH, a remarkable pioneer program that heralds a paradigm shift in our approach to offender rehabilitation. Joan has demonstrated that young offenders can rehabilitate themselves and the animals by learning how to care for abandoned dogs, and both can return successfully to society.
"The Project POOCH approach provides a win-win solution—youth are successfully rehabilitated, and previously unwanted dogs are adopted by society. Through her guidance on careful planning, Joan has facilitated the introduction of similar programs elsewhere. Everyone should read this book. It should be required reading for criminologists, legislators, judiciary, and custodial staff." —Elizabeth Ormerod, BVMS CF, veterinarian and chair of the Society for Companion Animal Studies, Churchill Fellow, UK Veterinarian of the Year 2021, and founder of Canine Partners, the UK assistance dog program
"The special ability that dogs have to help foster empathy, responsibility, and compassion in people is well recognized. Making that connection and helping others make the leap from caring for dogs to caring about other people is not a simple task. It requires a special understanding of how one's connection to dogs can be deeply entwined in adverse childhood experiences that can lead to either violence or a heightened sensitivity to the suffering of others. Joan Dalton's journey demonstrates how she is in a perfect position to share the joys and frustrations of helping people and animals to heal, and Project POOCH stands as one of the most important projects using animals to help break the cycle of violence." —Randall Lockwood, PhD, retired senior vice president, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
"As the field of animal-assisted interventions began to grow, Joan Dalton's Project POOCH became a pioneering canine-centered vocational education model in 1993. Pairing neglected and abused youths and dogs brought about remarkable transformations in both the youths' and the dogs' behaviors, enabling both boys and dogs to forge new lives. Joan's passionate memoir is inspirational reading for anyone looking to see the positive applications that the human-animal bond can accomplish." —Phil Arkow, president and secretary, National Link Coalition, and instructor, Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities, Harcum College
"During my thirty-eight years in public service, I have never worked alongside someone as passionate, committed, and successful as Joan Dalton. Project POOCH won over the hearts and minds of the naysayers at warp speed. She was our 'X factor' during our legislative budget process. Elected officials all came away from tours of the institution with the utmost respect for Joan and Project POOCH. The fact that the program was designed by Joan to be sustainable without state funding remains a significant part of her accomplishment and legacy." —Robert Jester, former director, Oregon Youth Authority, Woodburn, Oregon
"Working alongside Joan Dalton and Project POOCH for the past several years has been one of the most enriching experiences of my veterinary career. Witnessing firsthand the profound impact of the human-animal bond on the youth involved in the program has been nothing short of incredible. The genuine care and affection the young men show toward their dogs is a testament to the transformative power of this program.
"Engaging with the youth, teaching them about canine health issues, and seeing their curiosity and eagerness to learn has been incredibly fulfilling. Their thoughtful questions and active participation highlight the importance of education and empathy in nurturing responsible pet ownership.
"Reflecting on my involvement with this program, I cannot overstate how deeply it has shaped my perspective on the rehabilitation of incarcerated youth. It has reaffirmed my belief in the potential for positive change and the impact that compassion and understanding can have on individuals, both human and canine." —Dr. Debbie Unrau, owner, Woodburn Veterinary Clinic and Sequoia Veterinary Clinic
"Weaving together stories of neglected, incarcerated youth serving time in a correctional facility and abandoned dogs often scheduled to be euthanized, Joan Dalton tells a heartfelt, astonishing story of youth and dogs helping each other recover from years of neglect and rejection.
"Despite numerous obstacles during the twenty-five years of creating and running this successful program, Dalton never gave up. At one point, she sold her home to keep the program from closing. Honestly told, she never shies away from the difficulties she faced, including two dogs running away, never to return, and issues with correctional staff opposing the program. Along the way, Dalton found herself recovering from the traumas she faced as a child and young woman." —Nancy Hill, photo essayist
