The Underdog Project is a non-profit organisation that, through Animal Assisted Therapy, helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome social and emotional problems and learn valuable life skills. The welfare of children and animals in South Africa is of equal importance to us and we believe we have found a creative way to provide mutual benefits to both these vulnerable groups. We know that kindness to animals predicts empathy and kindness to others. We also know that domestic abuse and gang-related violence go hand-in-hand with animal cruelty. The Underdog Project is on a crusade of kindness. Using highly successful animal-assisted activities and therapeutic workshops, we teach empathy to youngsters in our communities, and bring joy to troubled dogs.