These programs are providing shelter dogs with an alternative that in most cases results in a permanent, loving home. They are proving a significant benefit to the physically disabled, to the hearing and sight impaired, and to the selfless organizations that train and supply these wonder dogs. Waiting lists for the dogs would be much longer if it weren’t for the programs that utilize both shelter dogs and puppies raised specifically for service careers.

 The Prison Dog programs are providing a valuable service to society as a whole. Prisoners are being released with employable skills and a new attitude about themselves and others. Human-abuse crimes have been proven to be directly related to animal-abuse tendencies and actions, but released inmates who have worked with these dogs prove to be better fathers, mothers, husbands and wives. Recidivism rates are down substantially for those involved in dog programs, with some programs reporting an unofficial 100% “no return” rate.  Those that aren’t released are better inmate citizens.

Prisons where the dog programs flourish are better places to live. The dogs within the facilities are changing the way people act and interact with each other. These prison dog programs leave no doubt that they are among the most successful, if not the most successful programs in our correctional institutions. These programs are proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that not all prisoners and dogs are irredeemable -even those thought to be the worst of the worst!

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Also–below every posting is a “Share” button–where you can share the post on your favorite social networking site–such as Facebook, Reddit and on and on. So, let the world know about this blog and what’s going on in these programs.

And, of course, if you have a relevant website–please let me know–and we’ll link back to you as well.

Thanks very much…

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According to a press release put out by the Bureau of Justice Statistics on February 27, 2000, the increase in the incarceration of juveniles is alarming. And sixty-one percent are being convicted of violent crimes. Intervention at a younger age with programs that teach caring and kindness, that open their cold, fear-hardened hearts to feelings, emotions and love are urgently needed.

“In 2002, Students age 12 through 18 were victims of about 88,000 serious violent crimes at school, and about 309,000 away from school. Between 1992 and 2001 victimization rates at school and away from school declined. {Bureau of Justice Statistics}

• In 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003 about seven to nine percent of students in grades nine to 12 reported being threatened or injured with a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on school property in the past 12 months.
• In 2003, about 6% of students carried a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on school property in the past 30 days, a decline from 12% in 1993.
• Sixteen school-associated homicides were of school age children between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000.
• In 2003, 21% of students reported the presence of street gangs in their schools.”

According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, in 1997, juveniles perpetrated 1400 murders in the United States.

These programs are making a difference in the behavior and rehabiltation of incarcerated juveniles–many of which are extremely violent, with serious emotional and anti-social behavior. These same kids and young adults will be murdering people, burning down homes, robbing banks and homes and carrying out other very heinous crimes if they are not intervened on in a meaningful–life altering way BEFORE they get out. And most will get out.

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The lives of both humans and dogs are changed significantly through the successful adoptions and placements of prison pooch parolees. The evidence is in the stories—proof without refute.

Inmate trainers are turning both castaway and blueblood dogs into perfect companions and deeply loved pets. In some cases these dogs are becoming the ears, eyes and mobility for their new partners. They are alerting their vulnerable partners to oncoming seizures, ringing phones, dangerous traffic and ringing doorbells. They are picking up clothes, pulling off socks or simply providing the greatest therapy of all-love-and a warm furry body to cuddle with. 

These are stories of the journey from the dark depths of abuse or abandonment to the heights of loving companionship, and they are heartwarming. When you add the fact that these dogs, miraculously trained by prisoners, become invaluable service dogs, you can’t help but be hopeful about the future of bringing together perfectly paroled pooches with perfect people partners!

These are matches that have been made {or orchestrated?} in heaven for sure.

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“It seems kind of silly,” he shares, “but I’ve just never had nothing like what Boomer gave me… you know…that unconditional love. It amazes me how something can so dramatically turn your life around. I do credit the Warden and the Psychologist for helping me turn my life around-but especially Boomer. He just unlocked some buried emotions. My whole life was just so dysfunctional. I tried to turn it around in prison with college and all that, but Boomer helped me with a lot of emotional things that I had kept hidden. I used to treat him like a baby, you know-I loved him and I know he loved me”

 Boomer was just seven-weeks-old when Leader Dogs for the Blind brought him to North Creek Correctional Center in 2002. At that time, it was a very new prison dog program. Just as Maggie, the prison program’s very first trainee puppy graduate was leaving; three more puppies were brought into the prison. One of those adorable, blueblood puppies with potential, was Boomer. And that encounter changed Brian’s life.

Boomer is now faithfully serving and guiding Brent-and is a loved member of Brent’s family. Brian is out of prison and has since suffered a  major debilitating aneurysm-but still keeps in touch with Boomers new family. 

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It is a serious issue. Service dogs are expensive–even when they spend their basic training in prison programs. And the demand is growing to be able train enough dogs to meet the needs of this new and deserving population.

Please contact me if you have any information —or would like to get involved in some way. Or, you can Skype me at ID: prisondogsbook

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Skype is a free download. All you need is a broadband connection and a set of headphones–and you can connect with anyone in the world who also has Skype, for free.

Give me a shout—and if I’m not available—I’ll Skype you back!

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Tony was a featured trainer on Animal Planet’s very popular program, Cell Dogs, while still in prison.  It was during their visit to James River that the film crew dubbed him, the Miracle Worker–and the name has stuck. Tony is magical with dogs.

This picture with Hillary Clinton was taken at a fundraiser for Hillary in Washington DC. Tony was invited to the function by his client–also a congressman at the time. I’ll be writing more on Tony later. You can learn more about him at: DogWorld ABC

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Jake assists the wheelchair-bound in a gentle and reassuring way. As reported in the January 2001 issue of the Illinois DOC newsletter, Perspectives, Jake became the home’s “Patch Adams.” Patch Adams, the doctor played by Robin Williams in the movie of the same name, was known for his loving, upbeat, and caregiving nature that healed the hearts and spirits of the sick, especially children. He helped people feel better through humor and a deep concern. Patch Adams engaged with patients on a human level, and never allowed medical protocol to harden his heart.

Jake’s talents and patience encourage patients to exercise by playing ball with him or simply brushing him. He provides physical therapy by just allowing patients to safely walk with him, and social therapy by allowing patients to simply enjoy him.

Helping Paws is a result of the original collaborative cooperation between the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Clarence Foundation and Lake Land College. Through this joint effort, service dogs are provided free of charge to recipients, an extraordinary gift to those in need. The Clarence Foundation, which was named after the guardian angel Clarence, in the movie “It’s A Wonderful Life,” sets its roots in the belief that dogs and people are good for each other.

Lake Land College adds a wonderful benefit to its female inmates’ training program. A 200-hour program prepares inmates with marketable dog grooming skills that they can use after parole. They learn how to properly groom dogs, including bathing, clipping, and toenail trimming, along with other basic procedures and health issues.

The programs have expanded and partnerships have changed in some cases since initial research. The Helping Paws program has graduated and placed well over 100 service dogs with folks whose lives have been changed as a result.

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1. Family moving

2. Landlord issues

3. Too many animals in household

4.Cost of pet maintenance

5. Owner’s personal problems

6. Inadequate facilities

7. No homes available for littermates

8. Have no time for pet

9. Pet illnesses

10. Biting

The majority of those dogs (37.1%) had been owned from seven months to one year, and half (50.8%) of the dogs surrendered were not neutered. Dogs acquired from friends were given up at a higher rate (31.4%) than from any other source and most dogs (96%) had not received any obedience training.

Ongoing studies validate the importance of nurturing the development of the human-canine bond in order to reduce the number of dogs relinquished to shelters. In some cases, there are no seemingly  viable alternatives for the dog owners. In many cases, it is just simply easier than taking the time, effort and money to find the dog a new and loving home.

Education is key to changing behaviors of those that see animals as feeling-less, valueless possessions. Instead, we need to help kids understand that dogs are sentient creatures. And this starts with kids–very young kids. Introducing compassion and animal care training  programs into schools at a very early age will set the stage for a new world in one generation.

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