Dogs For People was established in 2016 by Mr. Paul Elmakias, creator of the DogTime™ therapy method, and Dr. Larry Genstil, a world renowned psychotherapist.
Mr. Elmakias established the Dogs for People (DFP)Association in 2006. It is an NPO where at-risk or disabled children and youths are treated while working with dogs. In DFP, Elmakias brought together the knowhow and techniques he’d acquired over more than two dozen years of working with dogs, treating needy populations, rehabilitating, enriching, and empowering them.
Combining his experience with numerous scientific studies, Elmakias developed the DogTime™ dog-assisted treatment method that yields clear and measurable results, leading to emotional changes in patients and dogs alike. These results are achieved through unique relationships that the young form with dogs they work with. Most of those dogs are rescued from shelters and, given a true purpose and mission that canines need, they take an active part in helping the needy and disabled.
Over the decade since DFP was established we treated more than 20,000 youths and children with DogTime™.
Unique Work Model – Cycle Of Giving
We rescue dogs from shelters before being euthanized and bring them to our therapy kennel to be trained as loved as therapy dogs. We started with four dogs. Now, there are more than 100 dogs who have gone through our “cycle of giving”.
The dogs go through a special rehabilitation and training process in our kennel with the assistance of at-risk youth and individuals with special needs. The process is beneficial for the both sides as they enjoy the unique therapy qualities of the human – canine bond.
Our rescued, rehabilitated and trained dogs are now ready to accompany our skilled instructors to dog-assisted therapy activities across the country. We do dog-assisted therapy in a variety of settings including at special needs and autistic facilities, at-risk youth centers, and senior citizen homes. We also work with high school students studying canine studies, PTSD patients and more.
In the last phase, after the dogs had experienced a variety of different therapy settings and are now qualified therapy dogs, we find them a new home where they can enjoy the rest of their lives as well-adjusted dogs to their new family’s needs.
We Need Your Help
Dogs for People Mitzvah Tzedakah Projects
We would be honored for you to partner with Dogs for People for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tzedakah project. We encourage Bar/Bat Mitzvahs who love dogs and love helping people to adopt Dogs for People as their Mitzvah project. We invite you to raise funds to sponsor a Dogs for People dog and help us provide dog-assisted therapy to at-risk and special needs children and youth. Some fun events that you can organize to help raise awareness and funds include a dog training lesson, a dog walkathon, volunteering to walk dogs in return for donations, or selling dog treats.
We work with a crowdfunding platform to help you raise money for your project. Together, we can help more dogs help more people! Click here for more information about setting up your very own bar/bat mitzvah tzedakah project campaign!