There are a number of prison programs in which inmates train dogs from shelters. The dogs are then adopted to loving homes.
Operation Second Chance is a similar program, but it is unique in that it is based in a county jail. Have a look at the program in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwpUZDFKcQU&feature=player_embedded
AKC's Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy Director, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
I work in a similar program here in Collier County Florida. This session we have a group of future service dogs. It is enriching for our inmates, the dogs and our volunteers.
Hi Sue,
Do you go in and train the trainers?
The trainers are volunteers. Some come from local kennel clubs and others have businesses that train dogs. All of them volunteer time to work with the Inmates to teach them to train the dogs. The volunteers must pass background check and are trained about working with Inmates. We get the dogs from our local animal control, many loving dogs have been saved and are now in good homes thanks to this outstanding program.
The program not only benefits the dogs but it helps the Inmates learn to redirect their focus from themseves to others, the program gives them an opportunity to return something positive back to the community–a healthy, wel socialized and well adjusted pet. It improves social skills to better prepare them for release back into the community. A wonderful community program and it is run using no county funds, the Society of Humane Friends of Georgia pays for vet care and food.
Hat’s off to a program that proves training makes for better, more adoptable pets!
I bred dogs and part of what I expect from my new owners is that they attend a training class with the new addition to the family. I wish more people understood the importance of training . I recently had a young boy send me his graduation picture of him and his STAR puppy. When I hear from a family and they tell me “this is the best dog I they ever had:” I know one of the reasons is because they took the time to have the dog trained. We talk alot about health as a breeder but I think training is also improtant, we would have a lot less dogs in shelters if people took the time to suggest that our puppy buyers take the time to train the puppy. okay off my soap box and I am very pleased that my local kennel club supports this program with trainers and donations!
Brilliant. I agree.