H.A.L.T.: Humans and Animals Learning Together

Located in Knoxville, TN, HALT (Humans and Animals Learning Together) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) program that provides a therapeutic intervention for at-risk adolescents through a series of dog obedience training classes. Dogs are rescued from local animal shelters to participate in the class. With the help of adult volunteers, adolescents teach the dogs basic obedience skills, providing a therapeutic intervention for the student trainers while increasing the adoptability of shelter dogs. The dogs are adopted into suitable homes after the class is complete.

The program is comprised of 100% volunteers and privately funded through donations, fundraisers, and grants. 

H.A.L.T was created in 1987 by representatives from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, a local humane society, the Detoxification Rehabilitation Institute, and a professional dog obedience instructor. The pilot project was based on the concept of adolescents and dogs teaching each other.

Suitable dogs are selected from a local animal shelter and are medically and behaviorally screened. They are fully vetted, and spayed or neutered.

Student trainers are adolescents from residential centers for treatment of substance or physical abuse, behavioral and or alienation problems. They are selected by the staff of their agency for classes.

Classes are held in the Spring and Fall and are lead by volunteer trainers. Up to four agencies provide the student trainers to work with the dogs. The dogs get 8 hours of training each week plus additional socialization by attending adoption events around the area with our volunteers.

The dogs are adopted out into suitable homes at the end of the program.