A Unique, Inspirational Prison Dog
Training Program
SAVING MORE THAN DOGS SINCE 2007
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Issue 30 - December, 2022 |
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- Our love reaches out!
- Our 3 Newest Prison Dogs
- 2022 Program Statistics
- How the Inmate Training Program Works
- Order a 2023 Calendar
- We Give You Thanks!
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1. Our Love Reaches Out!
In the month of October, our Lockhart Ladies did a very selfless thing - they passed up the chance to train new dogs for the Paws in Prison program to help out our neighboring shelter, the Lockhart City Animal Shelter. The shelter was at Code Red, meaning they were at capacity with low adoption rates, so they had dogs slated for euthanasia. Seven dogs were taken into the Paws in Prison dorm for the weekend to await an animal transport on Monday. This enabled the shelter to take those dogs off their euthanasia list!
These seven lucky fur babies were completely spoiled that weekend, and no one does that better than our Lockhart Ladies! Each dog was assigned to one of our special ladies, who loved and cared for them all weekend. When the transport folks came to pick up the dogs, they were astounded at the care our ladies had given them, and the thorough and informative letters they wrote about each one. These letters were delivered when the dogs arrived “up north.”
Fast forward to the week of Thanksgiving - our inmate trainer Laterese received a thank you letter from her transported dog‘s new adopter, Brittany, who lives in Oakland, Maryland. She sent pictures of her dog, and praised the work of our program! Brittany wrote, “Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to all the sweet animals waiting on their forever homes! Keep up the great work!”
She went on to tell Laterese how much they are enjoying their adopted dog Nala. Nala is now an important part of their family, and as you can tell by the picture, is being thoroughly spoiled by a trip to Dairy Queen!
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2. Our 3 Newest Prison Dogs!!
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At Paws in Prison we believe there is a perfect home out there for every one of our dogs. These three sweeties are the newest pups in our program, bringing our current total adoptable dogs to 15 - the most dogs we've had in our program in a very long time.
Shelters all over the nation are overflowing with pets. We are doing our best to help. Each fostered and adopted dog opens up more space to bring in and save another dog. If you think now is the time to add a new fur baby into your family, you can read all about our dogs by clicking HERE. And be sure to read through our Adoption Guidelines too. |
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As many of you know, Machelle Gaconnet, the Paws in Prison Founder and Director, passed away and the program floundered in 2019. However the program was restructured in the fourth quarter of 2019. We added new board members, a new Director, and an Administrative Assistant. As you can see from the chart above, we are once again flying, thanks to the hard-working Board of Directors (Jennifer, Jeri, Tia, Janis and Diane), Director (Catherine) and her assistant (Sylvia), some awesome volunteers, and most importantly, each one of you.
But it's not just about the numbers. Each adopted dog represents several inmates who loved and cared for them, working in teams to overcome any training challenges, and earning training certifications to help them find employment after prison release. These inmates are changed profoundly as they work with each dog. Additionally, dogs placed into carefully vetted homes provide love and companionship to individuals and families. In spite of rising inflation prices, we have soldiered on relying on each other, our volunteers, your prayers and financial support.
We hope you won't forget us when you make your end-of-year donations. We are small but powerful! And with your continued help, we will continue SAVING MORE THAN DOGS!
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4. How the Training Program Works |
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To be in the Paws in Prison program, inmates must first apply and be interviewed by Director and Inmate Trainer Catherine (Ms. L), our program Director, and her Administrative Assistant, Sylvia (Ms. Sylvia). Each inmate starts out as a Freshman, meaning they can only observe and shadow the Senior inmate handlers. Freshmen learn how to take care of the dogs and observe their training sessions.
Mentors, who help run the program, nominate Freshmen to "Level Up" to become Sophomores. Sophomores are allowed to take the dogs outside for potty breaks. They also become more involved in the training curriculum. After they have shown a sense of responsibility and reliability with a basic understanding of dog training techniques, they will take a verbal test with Ms. L to Level Up to Juniors.
Juniors are paired with Seniors who oversee their continued learning. They are now allowed to work with a dog and are also eligible to work with a dog who enters the program from entrance until adoption. After the dog has successfully completed the basic obedience training curriculum, the Junior inmates demonstrate the dog's abilities in front of Ms. L and the rest of the dog dorm ladies. It is here that they get an opportunity to tell their fellow inmates what the program has meant to them and how it has changed her life. It is quite an emotional experience when Ms. L tells her she can now Level Up to a Senior (there are often tears shed!).
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Seniors can take any dog at any level of training as well as work with Freshmen to help them Level Up. They are also able to earn dog training certifications that may help them find employment after prison release. After all these goals are reached and an inmate has been in the program for 6 months, she can also earn an On The Job Training certificate that can help her obtain employment in the animal industry after release.
After at least 6 months and many goals have been reached along with demonstrated leadership, responsibility and empathy, seniors are eligible to become Mentors. Mentors are a vital part of the program. These are women who facilitate peer led classes, keep order in the dorm and advocate for all the dogs in the program. They commit to lead by example, always placing the needs of the program first.
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It's through this system developed by Ms Laria that the Lockhart Ladies can work together, setting attainable goals for themselves in a spirit of caring and cooperation. They feel a great sense of accomplishment at every level, developing life skills that help prepare them for the life they will enter after prison release. |
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5. Order your 2023 Cutest Critter Calendar
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The year 2023 is almost here! Those of you who would like a 2023 calendar highlighting the winners from the Cutest Critter Photo Contest can order calendars by donating $25 per calendar on our DONATE page, noting it is for a calendar(s) along with the calendar(s) mailing address. If you would like any other Paws in Prison merchandise, check out our Merchandise Page on the website. For any questions about ordering merchandise, send an email to:
Donations@pawsinprison.com
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6. WE GIVE YOU THANKS
We're sorry if we omitted any names from those of you who helped us in November, but we do not always know the names of our Paws in Prison angels! Please let us know who you are if we missed your name by sending an email to Donations@pawsinprison.com so we can personally thank you.
Cynthia A, Rachel M, Annie B, Paul C, Sharon B, Benevity Causes, Kim L, David & Lisa C, Ann & John W, National Christian Foundation, Schwab Charitable, Christina P, Jill R, Lynda S, Elta S, Lisa R, Virginia H, Emily S, Karen W, Amazon Smile, Facebook
Other ways you can help:
Select Friends of Paws in Prison on your Amazon Smile account.
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.
MAY YOU ALL HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED HOLIDAY!
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Mailing Address:
1711 S Colorado ST., Suite E-204,
Lockhart, Texas 78644
Phone: (833) 341-3523
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