'Total respect': Women at Family Counseling Center benefit from working with animals at Humane Society

The sign at Mississippi Mutts in downtown Cape Girardeau reads, "All you need is love and a dog." Animal-loving customers of the store can surely relate, but the saying may be especially true for the clients of a local drug and alcohol recovery facility, who visit the store weekly to interact with adoptable animals from the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

The Family Counseling Center began participating in the PUPS (Puppies Uniting People Successfully) program about three years ago. The program was inspired by the Missouri Department of Corrections' Puppies for Parole program, with the main difference being that PUPS was designed for people out on probation or parole, while Puppies for Parole is for people still in prison.

Howie has his back scratched at Mississippi Mutts Dec. 17, 2015, during the PUPS program.Glenn Landberg

"Recovery is about getting positive emotions, reconnecting again, and finding their soul, or their depth -- and we find they do it faster because they have animal therapy," says Raymond Reeves, program director at the Family Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau. The FCC previously participated in an equine therapy program called Human Heart to Horse Heart, says Reeves. When the equine therapist was no longer able to lead the program, Reeves says the FCC missed having that opportunity for clients to connect with animals. So when local women Priscilla Miller and Marsha Fields approached the FCC about adding the PUPS program, Reeves was all for it.

"What we have observed is that a person needs to learn care and concern, or relearn it," he says on the needs of women in recovery. "The self-centeredness around drugs and alcohol creates a disconnect or a barrier to getting clean and sober -- they can't connect emotionally with others. They put a wall up between them and others emotionally, or they use emotions to manipulate others in a negative way."

Charlotte Craig, a Humane Society volunteer who coordinates PUPS outreach at the FCC, says women who are interested and have earned the privilege to participate begin with orientation to learn basic dog behavior and obedience training.

"Believing in the bond between animals and humans, we believed a similar program here [at the FCC] would give these young women something to look forward to and be a commitment for them," she says.

Amber Hahn gives Buddy some affection during the PUPS program at Mississippi Mutts Dec. 17, 2015.Glenn Landberg

The program is held once a week for an hour, at Mississippi Mutts or the Humane Society, depending on the weather. Craig says she can see a difference -- in the women and the dogs -- by the end of their first session.

"Some dogs have never walked on a leash before, and by the end of the hour, they've learned to walk on a leash. That makes them more adoptable. If they can sit or stay or do a cute trick, and if they can get rid of some of their pent-up energy, that makes them more adoptable," she says.

As for the women, she says, "It's positive reinforcement. The dogs are not judging them, and they're not judging the dogs. It's a boost to their confidence."

As someone who sees the same faces participating each week, Craig says she also sees the women gaining a sense of accomplishment, purpose and respect. The motto of PUPS is "total respect," she says, and that goes both ways between the women and the dogs.

Tricia Roberts washes Howie at Mississippi Mutts during the PUPS program.GLENN LANDBERG ~ glandberg@semissourian.com

"We praise good behavior instead of reprimanding bad behavior (in the dogs), and that crosses over into the girls' world, too," Craig says.

Since PUPS began partnering with FCC, about 358 dogs touched by the program have been adopted, and some 328 FCC clients have participated, Craig says.

Clients get a certificate when they attend six times in a row, something they all are proud to accomplish.

"Victory. It's a feeling of victory because we are welcomed somewhere to help," says Kaitlynn Roth, a 21-year-old participant. "Practically all of them have been adopted," she says of the dogs she has worked with during PUPS sessions.

Roth also has progressive multiple sclerosis, and has issues with balance and falling down. Between her medical appointments and monthly scheduled infusions, she doesn't feel up for much else -- but PUPS gives her a reason to get out of the house and interact with others, both human and canine, in a positive environment, says her mother, Michelle Roth, who attends PUPS with her.

"It makes her feel so good to be helping," Michelle Roth says. "All these girls, I can tell -- it puts a smile on their face every single week."

Melissa McSpadden has been involved in PUPS since last summer.

"I like giving back and getting outside of myself. Being able to spend time with the dogs is good for my sense of self," she says.

Adds Tricia Roberts, "We get to show them some love, because most of them haven't had any. And we can show the community we can give back."

The positive vibes continue once they return to the FCC.

"They come back talking about how this dog was shaking and so afraid, and they took it out of the cage and it felt better. It's all about what they gave that dog," Reeves says. "They don't have any reward other than, 'Wow, it feels good to be connecting with someone,' and seeing that as a reward is a huge change."

The social aspect is also a big part of the PUPS program, and an important part of treatment at the FCC. Instead of isolating themselves, the women have a reason to get out of the house and interact with others, and it creates something to talk about other than their past life, Reeves explains.

"It gives them something in common with other humans, in or not in recovery. It's a powerful socialization skill set they gain by doing this," he says.

He adds that he's seen women who didn't look like they were going to get through recovery make a complete turnaround after participating in the PUPS program.

"Giving back to the community makes them feel empowered and happy, and it fights depression. It's better than Prozac, and it only takes a day -- they feel better that day. They come back smiling and talking about what they did."

Craig says community volunteers, especially those familiar with dogs and their behavior, are needed to help supervise PUPS sessions. For more information, call the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri at (573) 334-5837.