“There’s nothing like being loved.”
Empowering Youth
Hand2Paw empowers young adults to take charge of their lives, learn real marketable skills, and pursue fulfilling employment through working with animals. Through our internship program, we provide paid job training to at-risk teens in Philadelphia, allowing them the opportunity to gain meaningful job skills and enter the workforce as confident and competent adults, while also providing fuller, more meaningful lives for local shelter animals.
In 2019
At first, just the paycheck. But later I cared about finding a home for each animal that was adopted. Hand2Paw has been more consistent than other programs. We made realistic goals and you didn’t waste our time. The program showed me that I can be committed to coming to work every day. It was a great atmosphere – there wasn’t too much stress. The internship showed me the positive results of me improving on my work skills.
I view this program as different because I could feel the compassion and the genuine care for my success.
I feel I have more confidence because I have maintained two jobs since being with Hand2Paw.
I do believe that this program made an impact on me, a positive one, I will forever be changed because I went to this program. If you’re reading this and you work with Hand2Paw, Thank You.
I thought that it helped that I was never quit on, I was always pushed to do more and that mentality that I always have to do more helped me in life.
I feel my favorite thing about Hand2Paw so far is that it is a meeting space of healing & aiding the transitional periods of animals and those of humans, particularly youth. Hand2Paw provides an alternative to stressful shelters where animals & adopters aren’t moved by pity but rather compassion!
Keep up with Hand2Paw Happenings
1st place winner of the National Students in Service Award
Proud recipient of a Do Something Grant
Featured on NBC Philadelphia
Featured in USA Today