UnChained

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Empowering vulnerable youth to transform their lives through training homeless dogs. This is UnChained's new official Facebook account! �

08/20/2026

An era has come to a close for UnChained, and we’re grateful for everything this chapter has held. 💛

The youth, dogs, volunteers, partners, and community who shaped this work will always be part of the UnChained story.

And while this chapter has ended, the work isn’t.

Canines Teaching Compassion and the relationships built through UnChained are moving forward with The Equine Healing Collaborative, where the stories, milestones, and work will continue.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

The chapter has closed. The work continues. 🐾

More info ℹ️ https://www.equinehealing.org/unchained-ehc

07/02/2026

15 years unleashing human potential… 🐕⛓️‍💥

For fifteen years, our community paired hundreds of homeless dogs with youth of all walks of life from across the Central Coast. Together they rewrote what was possible for both.

Every homeless dog found purpose. 💞
Every youth discovered their own capacity for leadership and mindful presence.

This living ecosystem of healing, moving through juvenile halls, classrooms, community programs, and homes, grew strong because of every partner, volunteer, donor, staff member, and so many more who showed up. 💛

Every breakthrough and graduation carries all of you in it. 🫵

Now we stand at the edge of an extraordinary new chapter. 🐴

With deep gratitude for everything we’ve built together, we step forward into our next chapter and into building greater impact for the communities that have supported us all along.

We love our home here on the Central Coast.
Thank you for everything. 🐺🙏

06/25/2026

The change we create travels back into the community that supported it.

When justice-involved youth give homeless dogs the patience and grace they rarely received themselves, real growth is made.

The small wins they build together in our program become tools they carry into daily life:

🛡️ Safety
💙 Empathy
🌱 Emotional resilience

None of this happens without the community that shows up, donates, fosters, and supports our mission. By changing a dog’s world, these youth reshape their own — and we all move forward together. 🐾

Tap the link in bio to see our adoptable canine graduates and learn more. 📲

livingunchained.org |

06/24/2026

Real change happens when we show up for each other. 🌱

Through UnChained’s Canines Teaching Compassion program, Stuart and Spencer worked side by side with justice-involved youth.

By creating the conditions these dogs needed to build trust, the youth strengthened their own empathy, patience, and calm. 💞

But the dogs weren’t the only ones learning new skills!

The youth built lasting confidence and greater self-awareness, too. ❤️‍🩹

Now that Stuart and Spencer have graduated, they’re ready for their next chapter: finding a loving home.

Help us share their story so these brothers can reach the right family. 🐾

Tap the link in bio to learn more about Stuart and Spencer and meet UnChained’s adoptable canine graduates. 📲

livingunchained.org/adopt |

06/22/2026

Week two with Spreckles wrapped up strong.

The youth showed up with real intention every day, learning more about how dogs think, communicate, and build trust. 🧠🐕

They saw that dog training isn’t limited to one scheduled session. It starts the moment you wake up with a dog beside you and continues until you go to sleep.

Our dogs learn from everything we do, so it’s up to us to lead by example. ✨

That intentional work helped build a stronger connection between them and gave Spreckles the guidance she needed to keep moving forward into their third week together. 📅

If this work speaks to you, tap the link in bio to visit our adopt page and meet our canine graduates. 📲

livingunchained.org |

Thank you SCAR and Monterey County Probation Department for helping us make moments like these possible. 💛

06/16/2026

A new environment can feel incredibly overwhelming. 😵‍💫

Spreckles came from life as a stray and had to learn how to survive fast. That survival wiring does not switch off overnight.

In our Canines Teaching Compassion program the youth are presented with an opportunity to empathize with this exact transition stress in another sentient being.

They know how hard it is to settle when the nervous system still expects constant change. So they move slowly, keep the rhythm predictable, and give her room to decompress on her own time. 🧘

By helping her learn safety, they practice the same skill for themselves. 💞

Turn on post notifications to follow Spreckles’ journey. You can also visit the link in our bio to see more of our adoptable graduates. 📲

Thank you SCAR and Monterey County Probation Department for helping to make moments like this possible.

livingunchained.org |

06/15/2026

Diggity is still looking for his forever family! 🏡

This smart guy graduated from our Canines Teaching Compassion program at Delta High School in Aptos 🎓. He has practiced so many new skills and gets along great with other animals 🐶.

Click the link in our bio to see his full profile and contact us directly to set up a meet and greet 📲.

livingunchained.org |

06/14/2026

Week one is officially in the books. 🐾

Spreckels is settling right into her new environment. She loves everyone she meets, but her high-speed Heeler energy is definitely keeping the youth on their toes. 🤸

They’re practicing immense patience with her. 🎾

Instead of getting frustrated, they’re learning how to channel her endless playfulness into genuine focus. It takes time, but they’re figuring it out together.

It’s a truly parallel journey. 💞

Both are discovering what it feels like to finally be in a space where they can just relax and build real trust.

———

This is exactly why UnChained exists. 🤝

We bridge the gap between our community partners like SCAR and Monterey County Probation Department so these vital connections can happen right at the source.

They’re giving her the structure she needs to thrive, and she’s showing them that a different future is possible for them. 🏡

Tap the link in our bio to submit an adoption application and give Spreckels the forever home our youth are preparing her for. 📲

livingunchained.org |

06/12/2026

A new journey begins. 🐾

Meet Spreckles, the newest rescue dog joining our Canines Teaching Compassion program at Monterey County Juvenile Hall. 🏛️

This energetic Queensland Heeler and Chihuahua mix came in as a very young stray, but now she’s ready to start learning new life skills alongside the youth.

She’s super toy-motivated and brings a whirlwind of energy with her. 🎾

She’ll do best in a home with another playful dog who can keep up with her and match her play style. 🐶 + 🐶 = 👍

Her youth trainers are right there with her every day, practicing patience, mindfulness all while learning how to communicate to another sentient being. 💞

They both know what it’s like to navigate the mechanisms of a society that failed to protect them. Now, they’re learning they can let their guard down together. 💛

———

Spreckels was rescued by our allies at South Country Animal Rescue. 🫡

UnChained serves as the bridge connecting SCAR and Monterey County Probation to make this journey possible, but none of this could be possible without your support. 🤝

Tap the link in our bio to check her full details and submit an application, or see our other adoptable canine graduates. 🌐

livingunchained.org |

06/09/2026

First day of school complete! 🐕‍🦺

We just wrapped up the very first day of our new 10-week Canines Teaching Compassion program at Monterey County Juvenile Hall. 🥳

Here's a closer peek at who's joining us this session. Turn on your post notifications—full reveal coming tomorrow! 📲

livingunchained.org |

Address

UnChained, PO Box 441
Soquel, CA
95073

Telephone

+18886745471

Website

http://www.livingunchained.org/

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