Years ago I had a dream of doing something that will help others, using our faithful friend, the dog. It seemed like an impossible dream since I didn't have the money, tools, the understanding of how it could all come together. Yet my dream didn't fade away. It was always there.
In 1981 I started the first prison dog program where the inmates rescued unwanted dogs and trained them to help the handicapped or rehomed them to go and loving forever homes.
The only way you can ever achieve your dreams, especially without having the money, skills or the people behind you is to try anyway to do it and never give up. Because I didn't give up, I started the first prison dog program in Washington State at the Correctional Center for Women and after that started other programs across the country.
The first book about the prison dog program came out in Japan and now there is a program where the inmates are training dogs to help the Blind. in Australia Rome, Italy at the Ribbiba prison there also has been a program. A program in Japan is now starting. Ohio had dogs in 33 of their prisons... California has two programs.
Follow your dream. If it doesn't succeed, another door will open. Helping others brought purpose to my life. I work for no pay. I work to help people and that is my greatest reward if I am able to help someone's life.
APPLE VALLEY • The two may just be a perfect match.
Both are starved for affection and need to be socialized. Both know what it’s like to live life behind bars and just want to go home.
That’s why PAL Humane Society in Apple Valley is undertaking a months-long project to pair up prisoners hardened by a life of crime and dogs abandoned at local shelters, hoping to change the lives of both.
“This will help with adoptions, save lives and hopefully turn prisoners around,” said Katherine Schlintz, president and CEO of Pal Human Society.
In the Prison Dog Project, dogs are taken from a local shelter to the cell of a prisoner who has demonstrated good behavior. The two will live together 24-hours a day, five days a week, with the dogs going to foster families on weekends so they remember what a home is like.
In the most basic program, the prisoners will teach the dogs obedience training. In the advanced program, which PAL hopes to tackle down the road, the prisoners will train the animals to be service dogs, helping those with handicaps.
For the dogs, it will get them out of shelters — freeing up space so fewer animals have to be put down — and make them more adoptable. In fact, once the dogs have finished the prison program, PAL hopes to have a waiting list of families eager to take home a well-trained pet.
For the prisoners, supporters hope the program will teach them to deal with others without violence and give them a real skill, with the potential for a job at PAL or other animal organizations once they get out.
Over the past month, PAL staffers have been working with Donna Shawver, a certified trainer who helped establish a prison dog program at the California Institution for Women in Chino. The Chino facility hosts up to 60 dogs at a time and its participants’ recidivism rate has drop dramatically in the six years it has hosted the program, according to PAL staff members.
During a recent training session in PAL’s newly donated play yard, the team used their own dogs to practice training techniques. The dogs can by any size or breed, other than pit bulls. The prisons insist on this, though PAL workers say they wish they could bring pit bulls in.
The team learns two to three new commands each session, starting with holding eye contact before moving on to sitting, lying down and rolling over.
The team expects it will take six to eight months to complete the training and set up the program in local prisons.
“Things move slow in the prisons,” Shawver said. “There are lots of rules and regulations and red tape.”
The team will have some help in cutting through that tape. Schlintz said Sister Pauline Quinn from the Dominican Order — who first started the Prison Dog Project and spread it across the United States, Italy and Australia — will be meeting with the federal prison in Victorville. Quinn contacted PAL and suggested the program after reading online about their organization.
Once the PAL staff is fully trained and agreements with one or more local prisons are arranged, the staff will start working with prisoners to “train the trainer,” teaching them how to pass on the tricks to the dogs.
PAL staffers — a group of friendly, young women — are a bit nervous about the prospect of teaching criminals new tricks.
“It’s definitely a different environment than we’re used to working in,” said Autumn Rose Saenz, public relations coordinator for PAL.
But the staff’s belief in the potential of the program is helping them overcome their fears. For them, it’s just one more way to fulfill their mission to save pets — and do a bit of good for people at the same time.
Brooke Edwards may be reached at 955-5358 or at bedwards@VVDailyPress.com.
There are a number of ways for animal lovers to support PAL Humane Society’s Prison Dog Project, and the organization as a whole.
One way is to sign up as a foster family, looking after homeless pets until they are permanently adopted. PAL provides food, treats, toys and everything else needed for foster families.
Locals can also volunteer as “dog sitters,” walking the dogs either during the prison project or during their time at PAL, or make financial contributions.
To volunteer or donate, visit www.PALHumaneSociety.org or call 240-6848.
Media Statements
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence MP
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
First 'Pups in Prison' graduates to help disabled:
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence with assistance dog Taylor, along with Darling Downs Correctional Centre General Manager Andrew Pike, centre, and Assistance Dogs Australia Chief Executive Officer Richard Lord
Spence Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence with assistance dog Taylor, along with Darling Downs Correctional Centre General Manager Andrew Pike, centre, and Assistance Dogs Australia Chief Executive Officer Richard LordThe first assistance dogs to participate in Queensland's innovative Pups in Prison program have today graduated from their 14 month training course at Darling Downs Correctional Centre.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence presented black Labradors siblings Toomba and Truman and Golden Retrievers siblings Topaz and Taylor, to Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) Chief Executive Officer Richard Lord, during a ceremony on the Speaker's Green at Parliament House.
Ms Spence said: "This program is a Queensland-first that brings puppies and prisoners together as part of a rehabilitation partnership between Assistance Dogs Australia and Queensland Corrective Services.
"These dogs have undergone 14 months basic training and socialising with prisoners at the Darling Downs Correctional Centre (DDCC) near Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.
"They will now be returned to ADA for a six month intensive training program before being matched to people with physical disabilities to enhance the person's quality of life and improve their level of independence.
"The dogs will eventually be able to turn light switches off and on, press pedestrian crossing buttons and pick up and retrieve items - tasks which people in wheelchairs find extremely difficult.
"This government is pleased to be part of an initiative that is making a real difference to lives of Queenslanders in need."
Ms Spence said the partnership with Assistance Dogs Australia is a prime example of how Queensland Corrective Services works with community organisations to provide prisoners with new opportunities for rehabilitation while giving something worthwhile back to the community.
Assistance dog showing obedience at the graduation day"Pups in Prison has provided prisoners with a positive experience, establishing new levels of responsibility, self-esteem and communication skills, while also developing patience, compassion and cooperation," Ms Spence said.
"Assistance Dogs Australia does a fantastic job in their work training companion dogs for people with disabilities and it is a pleasure to be involved in the important role they play in our community."
Assistance Dogs Australia CEO Richard Lord said the Pups in Prison program has been a huge success.
"We are very excited to see the inaugural graduation from the Darling Downs Correctional Centre," Mr Lord said.
"The pups look fantastic and are very well trained. The program has united the officers, prisoners and community volunteers whose combined efforts to train and socialise the pups has been outstanding.
"These remarkable dogs will change for the better the lives of young people who have suffered from developmental disabilities or quadriplegia as a result of traumatic accidents.
"We look forward to continuing the program with Queensland Corrective Services," Mr Lord said.
Ms Spence said the program has also provided significant learning opportunities for staff.
"Staff at Darling Downs and the volunteer obedience trainers have done a great job in developing the program," Ms Spence said.
Assistance dogs demonstrate their training "I know they are now looking forward to the arrival of the second group of puppies, due to start training at the centre in July."
Assistance dog showing obedience at the graduation day
Assistance dogs demonstrate their training
Media Contact: 3239 6172
We use the term “courthouse dogs” for two reasons.
We are confident that in this century the public will associate courthouse dogs with an equally vital role of improving the criminal justice system. Not only are they already helping prosecutors get to the truth more quickly, but they also assist crime victims by providing emotional support during the numerous points in the criminal justice process where they must relate, and relive, traumatic experiences.
The presence of a facility dog during a forensic interview can be a source of comfort to the child during the interview process and may allow them to more easily describe any abuse that that they may have experienced. A good forensic interview can greatly increase the strength of a case and may lead to a defendant accepting a plea.
HAMADA, Shimane -- Prison inmates are to help train guide dogs as part of their rehabilitation at a new private prison opening here this fall.
Under the scheme, inmates at the Shimane Asahi Rehabilitation Program Center in Hamada will live with three to five 2-month-old puppies for 10 months, in an attempt to nurture their caring instincts. Prisoners will care for the dogs 24 hours a day, and will be responsible for feeding, walking and discipline.
The program is also aimed at redressing the dearth of guide dogs in Japan. There are currently only about 1,000 guide dogs nationwide, and over 7,800 visually impaired people waiting to receive one.
The center is the nation's fourth prison funded by a private finance initiative. The Justice Ministry has commissioned the construction and operation of the prison to a group of private entities, including general contractor Obayashi Corp. and Sohgo Security Service Co. The facility, which opens in October, will accommodate about 2,000 inmates.
