A Unique, Inspirational Prison Dog
Training Program
SAVING MORE THAN DOGS SINCE 2007
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- THANK YOU AMPLIFY AUSTIN DONORS!
- MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER AND ADOPTION COORDINATOR DEBBIE B.
- VISIT US AT THE NEW BRAUNFELS PET FEST!
- WE NEED YOUR 5-STAR REVIEW.
- MEET PIP DOG HANDLER KATRINA.
- DID YOU SEE US ON SPECTRUM NEWS MARCH 29?
- WE GIVE YOU THANKS.
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1. THANK YOU
AMPLIFY AUSTIN DONORS
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Each of you are making a difference in helping the Paws in Prison program continue "saving more than dogs" in 2023. Whether you donated $5 or $5,000, every dollar added up to a little more than $23,000, just short of our $25,000 goal. This is our largest fundraiser of the year and goes a long way in helping us with the increased costs of vet bills, pet food, training and administrative expenses.
Since 2019 Friends of Paws in Prison has grown from a 4 member hard-working Board of Directors to the current 7 members. This Board, along with each one of you, keep the program alive and thriving! Every year finds us adopting more dogs to more forever homes.
We're all in this together - rescuing shelter dogs who provide second chances to the women in the Paws in Prison program and helping you find a new family member to love!
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2. Meet our new Board Member & Adoption Coordinator
Debbie B.
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My Paws in Prison story began in 2016 when I evaluated board member Diane B’s two PIP dogs for my pet therapy group, Pet Partners. Diane's dogs were outstanding, and I knew that Paws in Prison was where my next dog would come from! We adopted Maggie Mae in October of 2017, and she also became a therapy dog, thanks to the great training she received from PIP.
In January of 2022, I began volunteering with Paws in Prison. PIP Director Catherine (AKA Ms. L) was kind enough to let me help out and I have not looked back. I started with furlough days (taking dogs out of the prison for walks) and transporting dogs, and then I began providing a second set of eyes to monitor the dogs’ training. My involvement with the women in the PIP dog dorm has been a wonderful experience, and I have learned so much from them. It’s amazing to watch their growth, both as dog handlers as well as personally.
This program has been a gift to me; I’m grateful to be involved and am excited about being a new Board member and the Adoption Coordinator. When you see the joy of a good match between a dog and the adoptive family, it’s soul satisfying.
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Debbie's dogs Maggie Mae and Beanie enjoying the Texas bluebonnets.
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3. VISIT US AT THE
SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2023
10 AM - 4 PM
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An Entire Day for Pets and Their People!
Enjoy your day at the 2023 New Braunfels Pet Fest where we will have a Paws in Prison booth. Come visit us there!
You can have a full day of
- Pet Contests
- Giveaways & special pricing from vendors
- Area's Top-Rated Pet Trainers, Groomers, Boutiques, Food, Treats & More
- Interactive Games & Fun For the Whole Family! Something for ALL ages!
- Performances & Demonstrations!
- FREE samples, Wag Swag
- Microchipping, Nail Trims & More On-Site Services!
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4. We need at least 9 more five-star reviews on the
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What is your history with Paws in Prison? Did you adopt a dog from us? Were you a part of the PIP program while incarcerated? Are you a friend, family member or employee of someone who told you about Paws in Prison? Or maybe you heard about us at a pet event or online.
Whatever your affiliation with us, would you please consider leaving a 5-star review on the Great Nonprofits website? You may have seen the Great Nonprofits Seal on every page of the Paws in Prison website for the last 3 years. Please help us receive the 2023 Top-Rated Great Nonprofits Seal by sharing a 5-star review. We must have at least ten 5-star reviews each year to receive the Top-Rated seal. This seal helps give credibility to our work and helps us gain visibility to those interested in supporting our mission. Thank you! |
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5. MEET PIP DOG HANDLER KATRINA |
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You may remember the December 2022 newsletter that explained the Paws in Prison dog training curriculum. Each inmate goes through the levels of Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior then Mentor. We interviewed PIP "Junior" Dog Handler, Katrina, who has been in the program since May 2022. |
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After she heard about the program, she knew she wanted to be a part of it. Juniors are allowed to work with any dog in the program, even those not directly assigned to them. Katrina feels that one of her strengths is getting dogs to listen to her, even the more active dogs that may have a more difficult time focusing.
Katrina is the mother of 2 children and has dogs at home, so she has loved learning more about the care and the training of dogs. She says the program has helped her learn to:
- Work well with others
- Be a better communicator
- Work more effectively with any dog
Her program goal is to work with a new shelter dog from the beginning to adoption, realizing that she is making a big difference in the dogs' lives.
Katrina is getting close to her parole and she hopes to seek a job in the dog care industry. She is particularly interested in dog massage therapy, having learned a little about it in the prison, and believes dogs really benefit from massage. She hopes to apply for a Paws in Prison scholarship to attend dog massage school after prison release.
In general, paroled men and women may return to prison because they are not given an opportunity to earn a living. Our prison dog training program offers the women in our program, not only the opportunity to earn dog training certifications, but they can apply for scholarships to learn a skill in the animal welfare industry. Your support of PIP is what makes this opportunity possible.
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6. DID YOU SEE US ON SPECTRUM NEWS?
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Our adoptable dog Oliver stole the show! On Thursday, March 29, PIP Board president, Jennifer and Oliver, did a great job presenting our program's mission on Spectrum News. As a small nonprofit, we depend on word of mouth advertising to let others know who we are and what we do - that means each of YOU! We are grateful to Spectrum News for giving us the opportunity to tell their viewers about us. |
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7. WE GIVE YOU THANKS
We're sorry if we omitted any names from those of you who helped us in any capacity in the month of March, but we do not always know the names of our Paws in Prison angels!
Please let us know who you are if we missed thanking you by sending an email to: Donations@pawsinprison.com so we can personally let you know how grateful we are for your help.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING AMPLIFY AUSTIN DONORS:
Anonymous Donors, National Christian Foundation Donor Advised Fund, Catherine L, Ana del R, Krystal T, Kelly P, Dawn M, George H, Warren H, Amy S, Sharon W, Mary D, Sharon B, Jessica R, Ann W, Kristina W, Tamara W, Laurie S, Leslie F, Kim L, Dacia R, Martha P, Patricia L, Linda J, Joann S, Tera J, Elizabeth C, Diane W, Phaedra K, Diane B, Jennifer K, Jeri M, Debbie B, Amy C, Melissa T, Erika H, Amy L, Cynthia C, Brett S, Lorri B, Denise B, Cynthia A, Darrell B, Carolyn H, Katie K, Marcus L, Penny L, Thomas C, Sharon B, Melissa F, Tricia T, Lily E, Erica M, Aleya H, Diana B, Susan B, Lauren F, Sharon B, Joyce D, Masa P, Elizabeth W, Thomas K, John M, Roberta G, Elta S, Janis G, Dixie B, Fred L, Jill R, Nina R, Tracey R, Tia M, Casey F, Ann A, Yezzenia S, Annie B, Amy A, Jeffrey W, Myra G, Mary H, Erica E, Dina T, Pat J, Jean M, Robin R, Lisa D, Anna B, Mark V, Maniadarsh S, Ben van D, Natasha G, Yolanda T, Joshua S, Beth B, Kathy S, Heidi R, Lynda H, Lynne R, Susan L, Marcus B, Paul C, Chelsea D, Jan, Corgi Rescue
AND OF COURSE OUR OTHER MARCH SUPPORTERS TOO!
Jaimie S, David C, Rebecca P, Maureen K, Mary K, Christie P, Alison A, Emily S, Jason H, The Sunflower Donor Advised Fund, The Schwab Charitable anonymous donor, David and Janice H, Neptune Estate, Mary and Bill L, Kristen S, Network for Good, Benevity Online Giving
Monthly Donations, no matter the size, help us know what we can count on each month. Thanks to the following folks who give recurring monthly donations:
Daniel H, Marcus L, Debbie M, Jennifer K, Debbie B,
Diana S, Shelly R, Heather W
Because of YOU, we are SAVING MORE THAN DOGS!
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Mailing Address:
Friends of Paws in Prison
1711 S Colorado ST., Suite E-204,
Lockhart, Texas 78644
Phone: (833) 341-3523
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