k9 Connection gives a second chance to at-risk youth and shelter dogs. The nonprofit program provides counseling, guidance, and ongoing mentoring to youth, ages 14 to 18, by bonding them with homeless animals. Each teen is invited to participate in the program at the request of their counselor. After the youths are bonded with a dog, the teen trains the dog in basic obedience, nurtures the dog until it becomes suitable for adoption, participates in a graduation ceremony, sees the dog placed in a permanent home and has monthly check-ins with the animal. k9 Connection classes are held over the course of three weeks, for two hours each week day. Each class is limited to eight teen-and-dog pairs. The program, which serves the greater Los Angeles area, is part of Santa Monica's OPCC network.