Chaplin Group Home Teens Volunteer At Old Dominion Humane Society
- Lenora Kruk - Mullanaphy
- 6 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Residents from Chaplin Group Home in Fredericksburg chose Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) for their service project to help animals in the community this year. On a recent and very early Sunday morning when they might have chosen to do any number of things, including sleeping late, the teens were wide awake and full of energy. They had a mission to clean kennels and dog beds, wash dishes, spend time with dogs and the many other tasks waiting to be done when dozens of furry friends need care. Ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old, they got to work and didn’t stop until the facility was sparkling and dogs were happily chewing on peanut butter bones after some brisk exercise.
Since it’s led entirely by volunteers, the extra help from the teens was welcome. Volunteers who worked side-by-side with them noticed that no job was too big to tackle, and they performed each task happily and thoroughly. They washed endless stacks of dog bowls, mopped kennel floors until they shined and washed mountains of laundry without a complaint.
“Our residents found that interacting with animals is therapeutic and helps them regulate and feel positive emotions,” said Kaitlynn Youse, Chaplin Group Home assistant residential service director. “They want to help in their community and felt that assisting with the animals is fulfilling for them. All of the teens are very excited to continue serving not only their community, but also the animals within it.”
Youse said they enjoyed being at ODHS and are already looking forward to their next visits, which they’ve scheduled once a month. She said they’re excited to play with the dogs and help animals who don’t have a home to go to. Youse expected them to be happy about walking and playing with the dogs, and she was pleasantly surprised to see how they willingly pitched in to clean the facility and make the dogs’ homes (kennels) and spaces clean and comfortable.
In taking on the mission to help at ODHS, the teens learned about responsibility and the work that’s required to own a pet. The goal at Chaplin Youth Center is to prepare them to be productive members of their community and make healthy, responsible decisions.
“Many of our residents have expressed a desire to have pets of their own, and they now have a better understanding of what it takes to provide a home for them,” said Youse. “They’re so eager to return to ODHS to interact with their favorite pups, and they’d be over the moon if they could come every week.”
The teens expressed that they’d like to work with the community to recognize the benefit animals have on the mental health of others.
“We’re so fortunate to have these remarkable teenagers join us at ODHS and share our goal to save dogs,” said Chrissy Hamilton, ODHS founder. “They’re dedicated to making sure every dog was given attention and helped with so many tasks. They all showed compassion for the dogs and genuinely wanted to help make their lives better.”
The Chaplin Group Home is operated by the Office on Youth Residential Services Division. A 12-bed, community-based residential facility, it serves male and female youth ages 12 to 17. Licensed by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, the Chaplin Group Home provides 24-hour supervision in a safe and structured environment, where residents are supported and encouraged to develop healthy, responsible behaviors in order to return home and be successful in the community. In Fredericksburg, it serves various counties throughout Virginia.
Old Dominion Humane Society provides well-matched, permanent homes for dogs in need through rescue, rehabilitation, and education.
ODHS is located at 3602 Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg. Adoption events are Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m., Fridays from 6-8 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adoption surveys submitted in advance are preferred and take priority over walk-ins. For more information about the dogs available for adoption and adoption surveys, as well as upcoming events, volunteering, fostering and donating, visit https://www.olddominionhumanesociety.org.
