To help us raise the next generation of assistance dogs, Can Do Canines operates puppy raising and training programs in seven local prisons.
Two carefully-selected inmates are assigned to each dog. Inmates raise the dog, teach obedience, and in some cases, even teach assistance dog skills, such as pulling open a door or turning on a light switch. At any given time, Can Do Canines can have up to 90 dogs and puppies placed in the prison program.
This unique program and partnership has proven to be beneficial for all involved. The dogs are well-cared for and receive around-the-clock attention and training. The inmates learn new skills and develop traits such as confidence, dedication, and patience. Prison officials say that the prisons have become a more warm-hearted place and report that the dogs have a calming influence over the climate of the entire prison. And at the end of it all, a client with a disability receives a specially-trained dog to help them achieve greater freedom, independence and peace of mind.
Links
- Listen to the Friends for a Non Violent World Podcast with Al Peters.
- Check out Fox 9’s coverage of our program…inside the prison!
- To hear from a former inmate how the Prison Puppy Program changed her life, click here.
- See how Mobility Assist Dog Herbie, raised through the prison program, helps his partner.
