For more information on how you can help,  please e-mail the Prison Dog Project.

 To start a program, there must be a sincere focus in helping the lives of the inmates... and to really make a difference to help rehabilitate the inmates. To warehouse inmates, punish them and then throw them back out into the community does not rebuild damage lives but rather it builds more anger and disrespect to authorities.

The Dog programs that have allowed a personal approach are the programs that will succeed.

 I hope that prison dog programs will base their programs on mutual respect and dignity.. where love is the focus... more than control and intimidation because if you want people to return to society, focused on being better persons, then the ingredient of love needs to be included, rules to be followed but not to the point that a program would fold because an officer gave a hamburger to an inmate after speaking at a community school to children about the prison dog program. The DOC punished the officer for showing compassion to a prisoner.  The 25 year veteran of the Department of Correction with an unblemished record was so hurt in being treated like that, that he quit the Department of Corrections and the Liberty Dog Program folded because the volunteers who were very supportive of this officer refused to carry on with a program that would treat their staff and the inmates the way this department of corrections did.
 
 

Downeast Correctional... Bucks Harbor, Maine

The third prison dog project is where inmates are taking unwanted dogs from animal shelters, then groom and train them to be good citizens. They are then placed back into the community as "paroled pets". This gives the dogs a second chance in life, exactly what the prisoners are wishing for in their own life.

Sanger B Powers Correctional...  Oneida, Wisconsin

Washington State Correctional...  Gig Harbor, Washington

The prison dog programs help the inmates learn how to become "other" centered, thus giving something back to society. The inmates learn needed skills in order to help them get jobs when they are released. They also learn responsibility, patience, tolerance, as well as being good trainers with kindness and love.

The Prison Dog Programs are developing in many prisons around the United States and other countries. It helps to bring a sense of calm in the institutional setting. The dogs are also a bridge between the inmates and the guards as well as with a disabled person to people in the community.

North Central Correctional...  Gardner, Massachusetts

Maine Correctional... Windham, Maine Maine Correctional welcoming two new puppies for their Prison PUP Program

Downeast Correctional...  Bucks Harbor, Maine	When a disabled person in a wheel chair or a prisoner has a friendly dog by their side, people want to go up  and greet them. The friendly dog then helps to break the tension.
Washington State Correctional...  Gig Harbor, Washington	Washington State Correctional where inmates are training dogs to come when they fall
Washington State Correctional where inmates are learning how to groom dogs	Washington State Correctional...  Gig Harbor, Washington
Washington State Correctional...  Gig Harbor, Washington	Inmates training future assistance dogs

Inmates listen to trainer Mary give a training lesson, far right with dark blue top while the dogs practice their down-stays in a group setting. Maine Correctional at Windham

Sgt Kelley helps an inmate clip the nails of her puppy. Maine Correctional at Windham

After training class and a romp around the gym... the dogs wait for a treat. Maine Correctional at Windham

One of the dogs ready for graduation from the York Correctional Institution in Niantic, Connecticut The dog is wearing a "Gentle Leader", like a horse halter... a gentle way to train.

Two inmates at the California institution for Women  with the dog that they were training

This dog loves her unconditionally... Inmate at the California Institution for women

A group picture at the California Institution for Women  where the inmates are raising and training dogs to help  Canine Support Teams

Operated by James River Correctional Center  Save our shelters - pen pals - Richmond VA   State farm VA

Women dog grooming... Pocahontas Correctional Unit.. dog grooming and a cat shelter Chesterfield, VA

James River Correctional Center State Farm VA

Sister Pauline and Pax visit Prison in Virginia

Missouri Department of Corrections Women's prison at WERDCC Program operated by: CHAMP ASSISTANCE DOGS Florissant, MO

Missouri Department of Corrections  Women's prison at WERDCC

ConFido Prison Dog Program in Rome, Italy  at the Ribibbia prison for women. They are training Assistance dogs for the handicapped and saving unwanted dogs at the humane society.  President is Sirio Paccino who is in the wheel chair, in the back is Massimo Perla who is the secretary general, Doctor Camilla De Lorenzi is next to him on the right and there are two trainers in the back row.

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