Monroe prisoners train the animals to see if they have what it takes to serve those with disabilities.
MONROE — Wayne Anderson didn’t mind cramming a dog crate into his tiny prison cell at the Monroe Correctional Complex.
In truth, the convicted murderer signed up for the honor.
For the past eight weeks, Anderson participated in a program where inmates helped train rescued dogs, to see if the animals could serve people with disabilities. Read More About the Prison Program
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Showing posts with label Prison Program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prison Program. Show all posts
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
New prison partnership is “win-win-win” program
May 18 was the official launch date of a new dog housing and training program we have been developing with the Monroe Correctional Complex, Washington state’s largest prison facility.
“This is a win-win-win program,” said Sue Meinzinger, Summit’s Executive Director. “It’s a win for us because it expands our housing and training resources, making more dogs available to people with disabilities. It’s a win for the inmates because it teaches them skills they can use when they are released, and more than 90 percent of them will be. And finally, it’s a win for homeless shelter dogs, who will be given a new leash on life."
Carefully screened, selected and supervised inmates are being trained by Summit staff to work with dogs we rescue from shelters. Initially, four dogs were placed with eight inmates, so each dog has a primary and a secondary trainer.
After eight weeks, we will consult with the inmates to determine which dogs to retain for advanced training with our professional trainers and which to adopt out as family pets. Then a new round of dogs will be brought in for another eight weeks of inmate training and evaluation.
“This is a captive audience that increases our training resources and exposes the dogs to a variety of situations,” Sue said. “The inmates have shown us the utmost respect, and they are eager to learn, are reading their training manuals and are coming well prepared to our twice-weekly training classes.”
During this economic recession, when most nonprofit organizations are scaling back on programs, we are proud to be expanding our services to the community. Our paroled pups are sure to change many lives."
Fiona is recently graduated from this program and is ready for her forever home... are you ready for her?
Learn more about Fiona
“This is a win-win-win program,” said Sue Meinzinger, Summit’s Executive Director. “It’s a win for us because it expands our housing and training resources, making more dogs available to people with disabilities. It’s a win for the inmates because it teaches them skills they can use when they are released, and more than 90 percent of them will be. And finally, it’s a win for homeless shelter dogs, who will be given a new leash on life."
Carefully screened, selected and supervised inmates are being trained by Summit staff to work with dogs we rescue from shelters. Initially, four dogs were placed with eight inmates, so each dog has a primary and a secondary trainer.
After eight weeks, we will consult with the inmates to determine which dogs to retain for advanced training with our professional trainers and which to adopt out as family pets. Then a new round of dogs will be brought in for another eight weeks of inmate training and evaluation.
“This is a captive audience that increases our training resources and exposes the dogs to a variety of situations,” Sue said. “The inmates have shown us the utmost respect, and they are eager to learn, are reading their training manuals and are coming well prepared to our twice-weekly training classes.”
During this economic recession, when most nonprofit organizations are scaling back on programs, we are proud to be expanding our services to the community. Our paroled pups are sure to change many lives."
Fiona is recently graduated from this program and is ready for her forever home... are you ready for her?
Learn more about Fiona
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