ZapBrannigan
If it ain’t a Boeing, I’m not going. No choice.
I thought some of you might be interested in this.
Back in October we lost our 13 year old Golden Retriever, Furlough. My wife and I had him since before we were married, and our 6 year old knew him every day of his life - they were best friends. So, as you can imagine it was tough to lose him.
I wasn't ready to get another dog, but little hearts heal faster than big ones and he needed another four legged companion.
We have always been big supporters of dog rescue. Unless you are planning on showing a dog, why go to a breeder?
So as it turns out a program started in Missouri a few years ago and has expanded to Texas, Arkansas, and a few other states called "Paws in Prison".
Some communities lack sufficient space at their shelters to accommodate all of the stray dogs they find. But rather than euthanize the animal, they identify those who seem to have an aptitude and place them with Paws in Prison. Various correctional facilities around the state participate.
Inmates are selected who express an interest (and obviously who have excellent behavior). The dog lives and works with the inmates at the prison. Once each week a professional dog trainer comes and provides classes in how to train the dog. The inmate then spends the next week working with the dog on those skills, which are then tested the following week. Over the course of several months the dog continues to be trained until it is ready to take the test for AKC Good Citizen certification. They may know 35+ commands.
This is positive for everyone involved. Obviously the dog escapes euthanasia. It is trained, fed, and cared for in this non-traditional "foster" environment. Ultimately, he is more "adoptable" and more likely to find a forever home.
The inmate has something to care for. Even the most hardened criminal melts when something fuzzy looks up at them and wags their tail. The inmate also learns a valuable skill (dog training) that can be leveraged into a career after they are released from prison.
And we, the adopted family, get a fully housebroken, extremely well trained dog to join our family.
So, about a month ago we drove to the Hawkins Women's Correctional Facility near Little Rock, Arkansas. We met the inmate-trainers and a little while later we drove home with Jasper.... our new Yellow Lab mix. Although there was a transition period, within a few weeks he has become a wonderful, very obedient addition to our family.
I posted this here to my JC family with the thought that some of you who are looking to welcome a homeless animal into your families might be interested in seeing if there is a similar program in your state.
Back in October we lost our 13 year old Golden Retriever, Furlough. My wife and I had him since before we were married, and our 6 year old knew him every day of his life - they were best friends. So, as you can imagine it was tough to lose him.
I wasn't ready to get another dog, but little hearts heal faster than big ones and he needed another four legged companion.
We have always been big supporters of dog rescue. Unless you are planning on showing a dog, why go to a breeder?
So as it turns out a program started in Missouri a few years ago and has expanded to Texas, Arkansas, and a few other states called "Paws in Prison".
Some communities lack sufficient space at their shelters to accommodate all of the stray dogs they find. But rather than euthanize the animal, they identify those who seem to have an aptitude and place them with Paws in Prison. Various correctional facilities around the state participate.
Inmates are selected who express an interest (and obviously who have excellent behavior). The dog lives and works with the inmates at the prison. Once each week a professional dog trainer comes and provides classes in how to train the dog. The inmate then spends the next week working with the dog on those skills, which are then tested the following week. Over the course of several months the dog continues to be trained until it is ready to take the test for AKC Good Citizen certification. They may know 35+ commands.
This is positive for everyone involved. Obviously the dog escapes euthanasia. It is trained, fed, and cared for in this non-traditional "foster" environment. Ultimately, he is more "adoptable" and more likely to find a forever home.
The inmate has something to care for. Even the most hardened criminal melts when something fuzzy looks up at them and wags their tail. The inmate also learns a valuable skill (dog training) that can be leveraged into a career after they are released from prison.
And we, the adopted family, get a fully housebroken, extremely well trained dog to join our family.
So, about a month ago we drove to the Hawkins Women's Correctional Facility near Little Rock, Arkansas. We met the inmate-trainers and a little while later we drove home with Jasper.... our new Yellow Lab mix. Although there was a transition period, within a few weeks he has become a wonderful, very obedient addition to our family.
I posted this here to my JC family with the thought that some of you who are looking to welcome a homeless animal into your families might be interested in seeing if there is a similar program in your state.
. Everyone needs something to care for, and abandoned animals certainly need someone to care for them. Warms the cockles of the black lump of coal where my heart should be.