Our mission at Hand2Paw is to provide a safe and supportive work environment for youth, ages 16-24, who are experiencing housing insecurity or in foster care, as a means of building resilience, compassion and connection with people, animals and the community. Hand2Paw provides paid internships working with homeless animals and a curriculum that enhances coping skills, conflict resolution, job preparedness and healing using animal assisted interventions. Youth also lead community pet pantry events. Hand2Paw is the only nonprofit in Philadelphia that teaches youth practical work skills in a healing-centered, animal welfare setting.
This approach stems from the need for a safe and supportive ...