I do not have a dog, but my family included dogs from the time I was a young child until I was in my early-twenties.

It pains me to write this, but after watching many of Cesar Millan’s shows and reading a few of his books, I realize that I did not know how to properly train or communicate with the dogs I loved so much.

Until I am ready to make the commitment to have a dog again, I will continue to watch Cesar Millan’s shows and read his books/blog… in the name of research, of course.

I was inspired to write this blog post after watching Season 1, episode 7 (titled “Philadelphia Freedom”) of Cesar Millan’s Dog Nation because of the Throw Away Dogs Project.

Throw Away Dogs Project

Carol Skaziak and Jason Walters co-founded the Throw Away Dogs Project in 2014.

A brilliant concept, the Throw Away Dogs Project not only rescues dogs and rehabilitates them, but the dogs are trained and donated to the appropriate professionals as working dogs (i.e. for the police department).

Carol Skaziak wrote the following on their website:

Since Jason and I have strong ties to the law enforcement community, the desire and passion to save high driven dogs and turn them into working Police K9’s was a natural route to take with this project. 

What an incredible idea! (And the name: ‘Throw Away Dogs’ is so heartbreakingly perfect.)

After watching Dog Nation, and reviewing the Throw Away Dogs Project website, I did a quick Google search for any comparable Canadian initiatives. I found many wonderful rescue groups, but nothing like the Throw Away Dogs Project that retrains dogs and integrates them as a working dog within the appropriate community. Do you know of an equivalent programme?

Kudos to Carol and Jason for recognizing a need that ached desperately to be addressed in society, and for following through on your vision. Four years in, you’ve saved many lives, and enriched countless more! Congratulations, and thank you!

Give your life the green light. It’s A Go!

Amber Green