Now it’s home to Tiger, a pit bull terrier rescued from a dog fighting ring, and a bunch of other dogs who need some extra love and care.
MASH runs a program that allows inmates at a prison to care for dogs rescued from abuse, providing them with the comfort they need to learn to trust people again.
It’s a great program for the dogs, obviously, who’ve been moved from awful conditions to the shelter, but for the inmates, too, who get the joy of time spent with a bunch of pups. Six days a week women at the prison are moved to the shelter as part of the 30 day program.
Since 2000, the shelter’s provided a place where dogs, cats, and horses can be cared for until they’re ready to move to a permanent home, and where inmates can get some much needed interaction with animals.
Volunteers investigate complaints of animal cruelty, go in and rescue the animals, and then bring them back to the shelter where they can recover.
The cells have been converted into mini rooms for the dogs, and have been renamed Bow Wow Way, Purr Lane, 2nd Chance, and Ruff Road. Lovely.
‘I get so much out of it, probably more than the dogs do,’ Kristina Hazelett, one of the women in the program, told REUTERS.
‘It’s very therapeutic for me as well, not just them, which was an unexpected, pleasant surprise.’
Kristina, along with the other women in the program, had to go through rigorous interviews and screenings before they were allowed to start looking after the dogs.
Source
MASH runs a program that allows inmates at a prison to care for dogs rescued from abuse, providing them with the comfort they need to learn to trust people again.
It’s a great program for the dogs, obviously, who’ve been moved from awful conditions to the shelter, but for the inmates, too, who get the joy of time spent with a bunch of pups. Six days a week women at the prison are moved to the shelter as part of the 30 day program.
Since 2000, the shelter’s provided a place where dogs, cats, and horses can be cared for until they’re ready to move to a permanent home, and where inmates can get some much needed interaction with animals.
Volunteers investigate complaints of animal cruelty, go in and rescue the animals, and then bring them back to the shelter where they can recover.
The cells have been converted into mini rooms for the dogs, and have been renamed Bow Wow Way, Purr Lane, 2nd Chance, and Ruff Road. Lovely.
‘I get so much out of it, probably more than the dogs do,’ Kristina Hazelett, one of the women in the program, told REUTERS.
‘It’s very therapeutic for me as well, not just them, which was an unexpected, pleasant surprise.’
Kristina, along with the other women in the program, had to go through rigorous interviews and screenings before they were allowed to start looking after the dogs.
Source
This is a wonderful idea,thank you !!
I love the idea and also where the prisoners train the dogs to help handicapped people
I am completely in agreement of such arrangements. It is wonderful that the animals have people to love on them, and for the people (inmates) to have an animal to give love to. Its a win-win.
I feel that this can be the best therapy for both the dogs and the prisoners. It's based on love and trust. Something that both need. BRAVO!
Need more projects like this one
Barry says,I feel that this program should be a part of every jail,the guards should have to do the course as well and be vetted the same as the prisoners that way the cruel guards would be weeded out,you get more with honey than lemon.
I feel very strongly that this program along with the few that they currently do have available for inmates that includes both accountability as well as positive reinforcement is an outstanding way to reintergrate both the inmates as well as the animals that do need to rebuild trust with humans. I hope that everyone continues to work together towards a positive outcome since I know first hand that inmates need to remember that this is just a part of their lives and it does not need to define who they are as people. Good job to all involved.
This is a wonderful idea. A win-win for both sides. Why not incorporate idea across North America?