A Unique, Inspirational Prison Dog
Training Program
SAVING MORE THAN DOGS SINCE 2007
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- RENAMING THE LOCKHART PRISON
- AMPLIFY AUSTIN RESULTS
- THANK YOU DIANE BAINES
- MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER - JANIS GRAEF
- ADOPT LUCY BELLE
- JAMIE FENTON - A PIP SUCCESS STORY
- DR. BECKER'S GAME CHANGER AWARD
- WE GIVE YOU THANKS
- CURRENT DOGS FOR ADOPTION
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- RENAMING THE LOCKHART PRISON
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The Lockhart Correctional Facility opened in 1993. It currently houses 1,000 female inmates from the general population with a focus on inmates with substance abuse convictions. In recognition of his loyal service to the state of Texas, the Lockhart Correctional Facility will now be known as the Gregory S. Coleman Unit.
Throughout his career in public service, private practice, and legal academia, Coleman earned a reputation for his work ethic, integrity, and professionalism. He also made a point of fostering the professional growth of young lawyers, generously sharing his time with them as a mentor. Coleman’s life was tragically cut short on November 23, 2010, when the airplane he was piloting crashed in Destin, Florida. Two family members also died in the crash. He was posthumously inducted into the Texas Appellate Hall of Fame by the State Bar of Texas in 2015.
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Our biggest fundraiser of the year, Amplify Austin Day, was held online for 24 hours on March 2 - 3. Our goal was to raise $25,000 (our biggest goal yet). We came close - we netted $21,733.05! But it's not over yet. The prorated matching grants are still being tallied. The final "amplified" numbers won't be available until the end of April. Out of 724 nonprofits registered for Amplify Austin Day, we placed 169th. A heartfelt thanks to all of you who participated. Because of you we are "saving more than dogs."
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3. THANK YOU DIANE BAINS! |
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Before telling you about our new board member, Janis Graef, a huge thank you goes out to Diane Baines, who has served us well as our Board Secretary for 2-1/2 years. Diane did a wonderful and much-needed job recording our monthly board meeting minutes and holding us accountable to keep all the many responsibilities we share from falling through the cracks. Diane remains on our board as a valued member-at-large. Thank you Diane! |
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4. MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER
JANIS GRAEF
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Janis originally became involved with Paws in Prison in 2016 when she and her husband adopted Major, previously named Merle. Janis has a long history of adopting rescue dogs. She worked for several years with her certified Great Dane pet therapy dog, Avery, at Brackenridge Hospital and Seton Hospital in Austin through the Delta Society. Avery passed away in 2015. In July 2016 she saw a deaf Australian Shepherd named Blue on PetFinder located at, you guessed it, Paws in Prison. Having had a deaf dog in the past, she filled out an adoption application and felt certain she would be accepted, but our founder, Machelle Gaconnet, thought another dog, Merle, would be a better fit for her family. The Graefs visited Merle at the prison for a meet and greet, then Machelle did a home visit. Merle became an official member of the Graef family on December 27, 2016. Janis says, "I thought this was a wonderful organization, rescuing dogs as well as the women who trained them. I continued to contribute to Paws in Prison through the Amplify Austin initiative and was invited to join the Board in March." Janis told us she had to promise her husband she wouldn't come home with more dogs if she accepted the Board position!
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Hi, my name is Lucy Belle. I am really excited about starting my new life with you. Now that I know what love feels like, I can’t get enough of it! I am learning to play with toys, to be a dog, and I am realizing that every day is an exciting new adventure. When I came here last December, I was malnourished and horribly skinny. But it didn't take long for the love and care of the Lockhart Ladies to take effect. Now I'm about 50 lbs! I'm ready for you to spring me out of this joint and take me home for more love!
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6. MEET JAMIE FENTON
A TRUE PIP SUCCESS STORY
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Jamie Fenton, a mother with 2 children, had a good job as a nurse for 15 years. However, alcohol got the best of her, and after several DWI arrests, she ended up spending 5 years in prison. After she was denied parole in 2015, she was transferred to Lockhart where she entered the Paws in Prison Program. Machelle Gaconnet, the Paws in Prison Founder (AKA Ms. G), saw her potential and helped Jamie get into a half-day study program at Stratford College, where she took veterinary assistant courses via mail, then spent her afternoons in the Paws in Prison training program. Jamie worked and studied hard, dealing with obstacles during her time in prison such as living with a mentally ill cellmate with whom she had to get along or be pulled from the Paws in Prison program.
Ms. G gave her encouragement and support and in 2016 Jamie was paroled. She went home to Longview, Texas but couldn't find a job - people were awful to her because of her previous reputation. She did whatever she could find - cleaned church pews, walked dogs, but no one wanted to permanently hire her with a prison history. She was trying to stay sober in the midst of all those rejections.
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She called PetSmart who promptly told her they don't hire felons. She replied that she would do anything if they would just interview her and give her a chance. Armed with her folder containing a Bible study certificate, a parole letter, and training certifications from Paws in Prison, she was given a job bathing dogs. Now, 6 years later, she is the head trainer at that same PetSmart - adding to her training education with additional classes. Today not only does she do basic obedience training, but she even trains therapy and service dogs!
Jamie was honored at the City of Longview's first "I Did It" banquet. She continues to share her story to give other inmates encouragement, does speaking engagements in recovery programs and speaks at various group functions. And the judge who sent her to prison - Jamie trained her dog to be an AKC therapy dog that volunteers in the community!
Jamie concluded her interview for this article saying, "It all started in that dog dorm. Without the Paws in Prison program, I would be dead."
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If you've never heard of her, Dr. Karen Becker is one of the most well-known veterinarians in the world. She believes in creating and maintaining health for animals by being proactive before a pet becomes ill. This refreshing, proactive approach focuses on creating or restoring well-being and has been embraced by pet lovers around the world. Dr. Becker is an author and speaker. She hosts a popular podcast that reaches out to honor great people doing great work for animals with the "Game Changer Award." Our very own Executive Director/Inmate Trainer, Catherine Laria, was just honored with Dr. Becker's Game Changer Award giving Catherine the opportunity to be personally interviewed online by Dr. Becker!
Take a listen to this 15-minute online interview. We are so very proud of Catherine (Ms. L) for her dedication to the work she has done and continues to do to make the Paws in Prison program a success in "saving more than dogs."
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8. WE GIVE YOU THANKS
We're sorry if we omitted any names from those of you who have 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.
123 Amplify Austin donors! Elyssa B, Shelly R, Diana S, Christina P, Debra B, Debbie M, Jennifer K, Marcus L, National Christian Foundation, Gjerset & Lorenz LLP, Laurie S, Katrine F, Velda & Sam F, Margo & Robert M, Judy & Newton E, Bright Funds, Great Nonprofits, Network for Good, Kerri S, Jeri M, Wanda & Chad S, Ramona J, Jamie F, Janis G, Ramona J, Jefferson Bank, Lori C, Amazon Smile donors, Facebook donors
Because of YOU, we are SAVING MORE THAN DOGS!
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Mailing Address:
1711 S Colorado ST., Suite E-204,
Lockhart, Texas 78644
Phone: (833) 341-3523
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