Puppies in Prison?

In over a dozen correctional facilities across the nation, puppies are paired with inmates in Canine Companions for Independence’s prison program. It all started 20 years ago at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Oregon. There are now programs at locations in 9 states. The prison program is a success for the dogs, as well as the inmates.

The Process

Small 8-week old puppies arrive at the correctional facilities full of purpose and potential. But, they need a partner to help them achieve their goal of becoming a service dog. Each correctional facility has a puppy trainer who carefully chooses prison participants to be a part of the program. The inmates must pass a rigorous selection process to make sure they can handle the commitment. The puppies will accompany the inmate they have been assigned to during all of their daily routines, from meals to work assignments. There is a time given every day to practice commands, and they must attend training classes weekly.

The puppy will remain at the prison until they are approximately one-year-old. During this time, non-incarcerated volunteers will take the puppies outside the prison to expose them to settings not available inside the prison. This is essential to socialize the puppy and help them feel comfortable in all situations. When the puppy is approximately a year old they are released from the prison program and given to a volunteer puppy raiser who will finish them until they are about 18-20 months old. Then, they will enter advanced training at the closest Canine Companions for Independence regional training center.

Prison officials have reported a reduction in stress levels for inmates that are a part of the puppy raising program. The inmates say it helps them with their rehabilitation by learning responsibility, discipline, patience, and commitment.

“It gives you meaning.” “It has definitely brought a light to my dark place.” “The puppies are our whole existence inside, although we have jobs and other activities, our constant companions come first.” “Being a puppy raiser was a self-esteem builder for me and kept me from becoming hard-hearted. I learned discipline, how to put something ahead of myself, and finally, I took responsibility for my actions.”

To learn more…

To learn more about the non-profit organization, Canine Companions for Independence, and their mission to provide professionally trained service dogs to disabled individuals free-of-charge, please visit cci.org.

• Canine Companions for Independence Depends on Business Sponsors
• Why We Puppy Raise for Canine Companions for Independence
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Disclaimer: The opinions in this post are strictly my own. I was not compensated for this post.