Kids, dogs attend summer camp together

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Training a dog is no easy task. But when you put kids and dogs together something magical happens. Their confidence shines through.

"You get kids who maybe aren't into sports or have some sort of special need and with a dog it doesn't matter, the dog will listen to any child," said Debi Kraker, the Executive Director of the Austin Dog Alliance.

Kraker heads up the Austin Dog Alliance, a non-profit group that rescues and trains therapy dogs. This summer kids can come to the summer camp to learn everything from agility, leash skills and basic obedience.

"It makes me feel confident in him and trust in him that he'll do it in a different situation," said Alan Williamson, a camper and dog owner.

And since most dogs need a nap after all this training, that's the perfect time to bring in some speakers.

"A vet, a professional photographer, the canine search and rescue team," said Krakar. "All different speakers are going to come in and talk about dogs."

If a camper doesn't own a dog they can use one of the foster dogs from the Austin Dog Alliance. The camp is offered for kids, ages 6 to 16.