Schaeffer House Gets a Special Fur Friend

Young men at Schaeffer House acquired a special mascot this year, whom they’ve grown to adore. He’s cuddly and perky -- and unlike some mascots, his fur suit is no cheap imitation!

Cody is Schaeffer's canine charm. Make that charmer. The wrinkly little Pug made his first visit to Schaeffer House last December when he was still wobbly on his feet and not yet 3 months old, says TJJD Parole Officer Lori Calderon.

“I just saw the faces of the kids. These kids, even some who they were having issues with, they just went crazy over a puppy. Their looks. They just became kids again,” Calderon said.

That prompted her son, Zackery, Cody’s owner, to propose that Cody serve as a comfort dog at Schaeffer House. Making Cody a goodwill emissary seemed natural to Zackery, 24, who'd grown up watching his mom help people in crisis or transition during her employment at Child Protective Services.

“He’s always had a heart to help others,” Calderon said.

She asked for and received approval for Cody to be a part-time house dog at Schaeffer House. The pug reported for “work” in February. He visits twice a week and checks in with his own ID.

Cody hangs out in the day room and classroom, and the dozen or so youth in residence help with his care. “He’s been great with both staff and the kids. He has so much personality,” said Calderon, who offices in Schaeffer House and can keep tabs on Cody during the day.

Most of the young men are excited about the pup’s twice-weekly appearances. One, who’s since moved out of Schaeffer, bonded with Cody so strongly that he looks for him when he comes back on parole checks, she said. There have been youth who acted initially like they were unmoved or even put off by the dog, but she recalls that two of those boys were soon taking Cody out on his leash and cleaning up after him (Cody being, ahem, still in training).

“It changed them,” she said. “Cody would go to them unconditionally.”

Another problem (but not really) arose when Cody became enamored of door stops. Though a wee 12-pounder, the big-eyed cutie can wrest a doorstop from its door and zip across the room with it before anyone can catch him, Calderon says, chuckling.

“I’ve been told by several people, he has a unique character.”

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. “In case a youth i

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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