Oknooshoon Inc
Helping vulnerable dogs and youth through canine-assisted interventions.
Nairi Krafian, a member of the Boston Diaspora Armenian community, visited Yerevan and saw the strained relationship between dogs and people there. Having grown up with immense mental support from her own dog, she wanted those in Armenia to experience the benefits of the human-canine bond.
Nairi started Research & Development to learn more about the needs to dogs and people in Armenia. She learned about the immense population of institutionalized individuals in Armenia, and how many Armenian citizens could benefit from canine-assisted interventions if it was available to them. She thought of the idea to train shelter dogs as therapy animals, and volunteers as their handlers. This would not only provide a service to those in need, but it would also help the public see the value of dogs.