Prison inmates, troubled teens, and homeless dogs are teaming up in several parts of the country. The end result is a better life for everyone involved. Could you develop a program like this for your shelter or rescue? Take a look at the following inspiring programs for ideas you might use in your community.<\/p>\n
Italicized wording is taken directly from the website.<\/em><\/p>\n A program called\u00a0Pups on Parole<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0has made a huge difference in the lives of 600 abused and traumatized homeless dogs and women in correctional facilities in southern Nevada.<\/p>\n According to the Heaven Can Wait for Sanctuary\u2019s website (based in Las Vegas, NV), the women residents in the correctional facilities provide rehabilitation and training to dogs that are rescued by HCWS volunteers. Volunteers oversee the training process of the dogs and their adoptions. Over 600 dogs that have graduated from the program have already found their \u201cforever\u201d homes. Not only are the inmates rehabilitating the dogs, but the dogs are rehabilitating the women who work with them.<\/em><\/p>\n The\u00a0Prison Pet Partnership Program<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is a non-profit organization located on the grounds of the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor. We rescue and train homeless animals to provide service dogs for persons with disabilities and operate a boarding and grooming facility to provide vocational education for women inmates. Our program benefits all involved \u2014 the animals who are given the chance to lead lives of service, the inmates who learn valuable skills so they may find gainful employment upon release, and the individuals with disabilities who receive well-trained dogs to help increase their level of independence.<\/em><\/p>\n