Two PAWS Dogs Ready For Adoption

Two special dogs, both graduates of our Pairing Achievement With Success (PAWS) program at our Ron Jackson facility in Brownwood, have received excellent care, training and attention from our youth trainers and are now ready for adoption.

Oreo, a very calm, laid-back Bassett Hound mix who loves attention and meeting new people, weighs about 35 lbs. She is a younger dog between one and three years old. She is a cuddler and loves children. Oreo is a quick learner, has passed all of the elements of the Canine Good Citizen test and loves to investigate her surroundings while on walks. Her trainer says “she is a happy dog who brings a good spirit with her.”

Luna is a year-old Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog (the State Dog of Louisiana) who weighs approximately 68 lbs. She is very smart but sometimes has a mind of her own. She really needs clear instructions and would do best with someone who knows about dogs and especially her kind of hound dog breed. She is very playful and friendly with people but very well-behaved. Other dogs are a big distraction. She can be left alone but when you leave the room, but needs something to entertain her until you return. She recently passed all the elements of the Canine Good Citizen test and is ready for her fur-ever home!

If you are interested in providing a forever home for one of these beautiful animals, please contact Holli Fenton, Dorm Supervisor at 325-641-4260 or Freda Day, Corinne T. Smith Animal Center Director, at 325-646-0617.

McFadden Sends Youth Home with Backpack of 'Hope'

By Y. Denise Caldwell Community Resource Coordinator, Northern District Parole Office FLOWER MOUND, Texas - Larry Bossaler, McFadden volunteer McFadden Ranch Volunteer Larry Bossaler enjoys his assignment: Making sure that every youth who leaves the McFadden halfway house knows that people are praying for him and wishing him the best in his future. He is the man who brings them their “Good-Bye” backpack. When he delivers the backpacks, he makes sure to do three things – visit with the youth, show the contents of the backpack (because staff put them in the lockers until the youth leaves), and lastly close the visit with a heartfelt prayer. The youth enjoy and appreciate the backpack, the visit and the prayer. Many are a little anxious and scared to leave but knowing that the McFadden volunteers care enough to send them off in this special way, helps them feel a bit less worried. “I always bring an extra backpack,” Larry said. ...

McFadden Ranch High School Graduates Honored

DENTON, Texas -- The Kiwanis Club of Denton recognized nine youth from McFadden Ranch who earned their high school diploma or equivalency by inviting them to their April 17 noon meeting and luncheon where they were awarded $50 each for their trust fund. Spearheaded by JCO IV Gregory Winn, a longstanding member of the Kiwanis Club of Denton, the event was truly memorable for the youth who attended. They heard a motivational and moving presentation by Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, who completed the Greatest Endurance Challenge – the World Marathon Challenge – tackling seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. He took the challenge after being inspired by Jonny Wade, a 7-year-old boy who battled pediatric cancer and had only one wish – ‘that no other kid ever gets cancer.’ Wade’s death led to the creation of Pediatric Cancer Foundation for which Fallon raised over $250,000 so far. Fallon, who represents a portion of Denton County, said the takeaway from his experience is that we ...

IN MEMORY AND APPRECIATION: Trayce Haynes Alexander

Trayce Haynes Alexander, of Cat Spring, Texas passed away in April. She was a JCO IV at the Giddings State School and began her employment with the Texas Youth Commission on January 5, 2009, as a JCO III. She was promoted to a JCO IV on April 1, 2010. Trayce was a hardworking, loyal and dedicated staff member and friend. Her number one priority was the youth in her dorm and she would drive one hour and forty minutes everyday (even in ill health) to try to make a difference in the lives of the youth she worked with. She was well respected by both staff and youth due to her extraordinary work ethic. The boys could always depend on her to hold them accountable. She is survived by her husband Geoff Alexander and two daughters, Kristyn and Robyn Alexander. Trayce was born on September 3, 1952. She earned a BS from Southwest Texas State University in Law Enforcement.

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