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Resilient TailsKansas City, MO
Person in recovery walking a shelter dog
Kansas City, Missouri · 90-Day Pilot Program

Rebuilding Lives
One Dog at a Time

Resilient Tails is a trauma-informed, transportation-supported recovery initiative that pairs people in recovery with shelter dogs — creating structure, purpose, and second chances for both.

Join the Pilot →View the Program
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"Resilient Tails rebuilds lives through structure, service, and second chances — one person, one dog, one step at a time."

01 — The Need

Missouri's Crisis.
Our Response.

20.5%

of Missouri adults had a substance use disorder in 2025

9.6%

had both a substance use disorder and any mental illness

1.4×

more likely to be adopted — dogs who received enrichment training

90

days — pilot program length serving 5 people and 5 dogs

Sources: Missouri 2025 Behavioral Health Annual Report · Missouri Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force · Ramirez, An Evaluation of a Shelter Dog Training Class (2019) · SAMHSA Recovery Definition and Dimensions

02 — Dual Impact

Two Lives Changed.
One Program.

People in recovery and shelter dogs share the same core needs: structure, trust, consistency, emotional regulation, and safe relationships. Resilient Tails addresses both through one integrated model.

Joshua Rash speaking at community event

For People in Recovery

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Purpose
Meaningful daily service that gives direction and identity beyond recovery.
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Routine
Structured sessions that build the daily rhythms recovery depends on.
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Responsibility
Showing up for another living being creates accountability that sticks.
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Emotional Regulation
Calm, consistent animal interaction supports emotional steadiness.
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Community
Peer support and shared service rebuild belonging and connection.
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Workforce Readiness
Vocational workshops and structured roles build employment skills.
Shelter dog enrichment session

For Shelter Dogs

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Trust
Consistent, gentle human interaction builds confidence in people.
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Confidence
Positive reinforcement exercises help fearful dogs find their footing.
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Socialization
Regular human contact reduces stress and improves behavior.
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Calm Behavior
Structured enrichment reduces kennel stress and reactive behaviors.
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Adoption Readiness
Trained dogs are 1.4× more likely to be adopted than untrained dogs.
03 — The Model

Structure Is the Treatment.

The program does not replace treatment, therapy, medication, recovery meetings, or clinical care. It strengthens recovery by turning service into structure.

Community recovery walk
A

Peer Recovery Support

Certified Peer Specialists guide recovery planning, meeting attendance, relapse prevention, and emotional regulation.

B

Shelter-Dog Enrichment

Participants provide walking, basic obedience, calm kennel exits, leash manners, and confidence-building exercises.

C

Positive-Reinforcement Methods

Force-free, reward-based training using treats, praise, and play — supervised by trained volunteer dog trainers.

D

Transportation-Supported Access

Reliable transportation removes the #1 barrier to treatment engagement identified by Missouri's Task Force.

04 — Framework

Trauma-Informed at Every Step

Following SAMHSA's six trauma-informed principles, every interaction in Resilient Tails is designed to ask: "What happened, what helps, and what structure supports the next right step?"

Safety
Trustworthiness & Transparency
Peer Support
Collaboration
Empowerment
Cultural Awareness

Ready to Be Part of This?

Whether you're in recovery, a shelter partner, a volunteer, or a community supporter — there is a place for you in Resilient Tails.

Get Involved →Contact Us