A no-kill animal shelter charity was invited to start an inmate dog training program at the Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility last year—and now joy and fulfillment are being created on both sides of the leash.
The ongoing program has helped the inmates to develop compassion and to comply with rules. Their task is to socialize the dogs and teach basic obedience that will get the fur-babies adopted more easily.
Eight inmates at the Las Cruces prison are now caring for 4 dogs in the program. The inmates have become so devoted to their mission that they held a fundraiser to help pay for program’s costs.
Diana Bell, a volunteer with the charity called Deming Animal Guardians, told GNN that one of the program’s requirements at the beginning was to hire a dog trainer: “This is a significant expense for our small charity but we were committed to give it a try, since we saw it as a win-win opportunity.”
They were pleasantly surprised when they received a check from the inmates themselves.
The dog trainees asked a staff member to purchase items from Sam’s Club which were then packaged and sold as “toiletry kits”. They advertised the program inside the prison and managed to net $350—especially because many inmates, even if they aren’t participating, love seeing the dogs on the grounds.
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The program teaches the dog boundaries (what it is allowed, and not allowed, like getting up on furniture), along with basic commands, like ‘stay’ and fetch.
The inmate learns grooming, dog first aid, and how to potty train, taught by the professional trainer in one to two sessions per week. $350 will pay for 2 weeks of the trainer’s visits.
During the week, inmates work with the dogs to teach these skills, while living together 24 hours a day. The dogs are taken outside 4 times each day to pee, play, and work on commands.
“I am changed by this experience,” wrote one of the inmates named Antoinetti, aka ‘Coolie’, in a letter. “I believe these men will go home more prepared for the world by finally owning up to being responsible, rather than careless, with another life.”
“These dogs are all amazing in their own ways. None of them are broken beyond repair.”
“We are creating something very special with this program,” said the program’s current trainer Jaime Banegas from WorkDogWork. “Dogs that were once castaways are being loved and cared for by individuals in a place where love and care are in short supply.”
“The dogs are emerging from cocoons of fear and loneliness. Inmates are pushing past mental and emotional barriers so they can become more effective at being a positive influence.”
As for the charity, the positive impact did become a win-win for all: Every pup but one that has graduated from the program has been quickly adopted.
Find out how you can help by visiting their website.
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