History of The Nelson ARK
Counselling and outdoor activity initiatives for young people are many and varied. How often, though, do you find youth programmes using animals as a medium?
At its core, the Nelson ARK is an animal rescue shelter. We bring people, young and old, together as participants or volunteers. Three disparate groups working together to improve quality of life.
An inspirational concept in youth education and animal welfare
The original concept grew from YAPP, Ontario SPCA’s Youth Animal Pilot Project.
YAPP launched in 1999. It helped young offenders learn kindness and compassion. How? The project matched untrained shelter dogs with young offenders. They trained and cared for the dogs over three months and prepared them for adoption. They learnt the value of responsibility and patience, and earned the trust and friendship of their dog.
The Nelson ARK is the YAPP model with a twist
We incorporated volunteers into our vision. These volunteers support the young people and dogs-in-training. We also added Healing Species Compassion Education and Violence Intervention into our vision.
The Nelson ARK is a unique concept in community education and welfare in New Zealand.
Founding members
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Karen Howieson
(Left) Karen was a health promoter and lecturer when the idea for the Nelson ARK was raised. She has extensive experience in the alcohol and other drugs field, youth work, counselling, and is passionate about animals and animal welfare.
Susan Murray-Rifici
(Right) Susan is a professional teacher for youth. She has taught in Canada, America and New Zealand. Her interest in animal welfare and youth empowerment became the seeds that matured into the concept of the Nelson ARK.
Major turning points
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2002 to 2008
The trust sought premises and eventually found a site with the Nelson District Kennel Club on the A and P showgrounds in Richmond. During this time, we received our first significant funding from the Lotteries Commission.
Photo: Karen with students in the Kennel Club classroom.
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2008
The Nelson ARK won a youth development partnership contract through Ministry Youth Development partnering with Tasman District Council. The council also committed to helping the Nelson ARK build its facility on the A and P grounds.
A plan, design and quantity surveyors report was completed however the commitment and priorities of the A and P committee changed and the ARK’s vision of an animal shelter was put on hold.
Photo: Susan and Karen after receiving news about the fund
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2009
Subsequent contracts followed through the Ministry of Social Development. The ARK developed Doggy Day Care to bring in another revenue stream and continued to train and engage ARK graduates.
Photo: Doggy Day Care at the Kennel Club
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2011
The Nelson District Kennel Club sold its building. For the next year ARK trust members looked at numerous properties while maintaining an office at Ecologic in Nelson city. Programmes were delivered briefly from the Life Centre in Stoke.
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2012
To our delight, the Max family offered temporary accommodation at Stonehurst Farm in Brightwater. We have remained at Stonehurst ever since.
Goals and objectives for the future
What are our priorities? Ensuring that APART and Healing Species in Schools are both sustainable. We also wish to extend the reach of the Nelson ARK and its message. We’ve come a long way and have implemented many wonderful initiatives already. Our retirement visiting programme with ARK graduates kicked off late 2016. We offer a holiday programme during summer holidays. There are also plans to pilot an equine programme.
