A Unique, Inspirational Prison Dog
Training Program
SAVING MORE THAN DOGS SINCE 2007
Issue 39 - October 2023
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1. Cutest Critter Photo Contest Top 12 Entries
2. Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
3. Calling All Adopters for a Love Story!
4. Paws in Prison Scholarships
5. Training Tip: Walking Your Leash Reactive Dog
6. We Give You Thanks
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In Memory of Dexter who was adopted by board member Diane B from Paws in Prison. We have watched many great adventures of Dexter and his alpha sister Delilah over the years. Many of the dogs adopted in the earlier years of Paws in Prison are now crossing over the rainbow bridge.
We pray comfort over Diane and her husband and all of you who grieve lost pets, knowing that we still wouldn't trade all the years of love and joy they brought us; if only we could have them with us much longer.
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Oh my goodness - look how we did in the 2023 Cutest Critter Photo Contest fun-raiser! Thanks to each and every one of you who entered the contest and for every vote cast in the Cutest Critter Photo Contest! The contest was held during the month of September where folks could submit any pet photo for an entry fee of $5 then get their network of people to vote for their critter for only $1 per vote. Because of your support, we surpassed our fundraising goal! These funds will be used for veterinary expenses and other dog care and training needs. |
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Prizes to the first through third place top votes received an Amazon gift card based on a percentage of the total votes cast - congrats to Roper, Rudy (and Shari both deceased), and Comet!! Each one of the top 12 vote entries will receive a 2024 Cutest Critter Photo Contest calendar, where one Cutest Critter will be featured each month. These calendars will also be offered for sale sometime in November. Everyone who entered is a winner because each of you supported the amazing Paws in Prison program. The rescued dogs, their future families, the Lockhart Ladies and the program's faithful volunteers are deeply grateful. We are small but mighty and we couldn't keep "saving more than dogs" without your help. |
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2. October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month |
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Are you ready to save a life? That's exactly what you do when you turn your heart toward the estimated 3.3 to 4.5 million dogs waiting in shelters to find a home in the US. Forget the fancy breeders and pet shops. Rescue a pup that is truly in need and open the door to unimaginable unconditional love.
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, a time to turn your heart toward the estimated 3.3 to 4.5 million dogs waiting to find a home. At U.S. animal shelters from January - July, 2023, 56.7% of dogs that came in were adopted, 8.5% were euthanized and 7.4% are still waiting. No Kill shelters, when full, turn new dogs away. Many folks then take them to rural shelters that do euthanize. These shelters have no limit to dogs brought in because they make space by euthanizing the unadopted dogs. Sadly, as the map above shows, the Texas euthanasia rate for dogs from January-July, 2023 resulted in the death of 10,408 dogs.
Animal shelter volunteers get to know the dogs in their care, so they'll be able to recommend the right dog for your lifestyle. Many who have rescued a pup in need soon realize that they're the ones who have been "rescued" — such is the power of adding a loyal companion offering unconditional love into your life. If you're not ready to adopt, consider fostering; most animal shelters need foster families to care for animals while they wait to be adopted.
Paws in Prison pups are rescued from rural shelters, spend 6-8 weeks in training by female inmates in the Coleman Unit in Lockhart, Tx, then they are eligible for adoption. Paws in prison, SAVING MORE THAN DOGS.
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Many of you have a story to tell about how your Paws in Prison dog has changed your life. Anyone who adopted a dog from PIP can help us get a donation from Petco Love if your story is selected among the story winners! Love stories are accepted now through October 31st, 2023. Since 2007 Paws in Prison has adopted more than 500 dogs. If you are one of our adopters, won't you please share your Love Story to help Paws in Prison earn a lifesaving grant?
In 500 words or less share all the ways - big and small - that your pet has changed your life for the better. View past winning Love Stories and showcase great photos/videos at WWW.petcolove.org/lovestories. Want editing help for your story? Just reply to donations@pawsinprison.com and we will gladly offer editing help.
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4. Paws in Prison Scholarships |
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Paws in Prison has a proud history of helping the women incarcerated in the Coleman Unit because we believe in second chances. In 2021, Friends of Paws in Prison started a scholarship fund for released prison graduates of the PIP program. Paroled women who wanted to apply for a scholarship were given the opportunity to expand their professional skills in the animal care field after their release.
Recently Friends of Paws in Prison, the nonprofit arm of the Paws in Prison program, was approached by the current inmates asking if the scholarship program could be expanded to include the current dog handlers in the Paws in Prison program. The Board decided to test this suggestion because this could very well make job acquisition more successful after inmate release.
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Friends of Paws in Prison proudly introduces our 2023 inmate scholarship recipients. Pictured above from left to right are LaTerese, Nekki, Michelle, and Katrina. These women were chosen for their proven commitment to our program and their desire to join the workforce after their prison release.
Katrina, Nekki, and LaTerese are studying to become veterinarian assistants. Michelle is pursuing certification as a canine specialist. All four women have achieved the level of Senior (having advanced from Freshman up to Senior as explained in the December 2022 newsletter), Katrina is a Mentor (the highest level a handler can attain in the program), and Michelle is the Lead Mentor for the entire dorm. They have all had extensive experience with the dogs in our program.
According to LaTerese, a big advantage of taking these courses while they are still in prison is that they can be with dogs while they are learning these new skills. She said that in the “real world” they could take these courses through a community college online or by a correspondence course, but that students may not have the opportunity to apply the new skills on dogs in a “real time” environment as they do. These women are thrilled to have another productive avenue of employment to pursue while preparing for release.
In addition to their other prison duties in the dog dorm, these hardworking women will be conducting their studies on their own time. We are very proud of them and hope that these scholarships lead to a better life for them and a career in the animal care industry when they leave the PIP program. None of this would be possible without donations and grants from YOU!
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5. Training Tip: Walking Your Leash Reactive Dog |
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If taking your dog for a walk is a nightmare with your dog lunging, barking, or even becoming aggressive towards other dogs, people, and objects when they are restrained by a leash… your dog is leash reactive.
You are not alone. Leash reactivity is a common issue that many rescue dog owners struggle with. This can involve one or more behaviors such as barking, growling, and lunging toward triggers like other dogs, people, or cars. Understanding leash reactivity can help you manage and fix your dog’s behavior and make your walks more enjoyable. Let’s start with the “why.”
To tackle leash reactivity, it’s essential to first identify the specific triggers that cause your dog to react. Some common triggers include:
- Other dogs: Leash reactivity often arises from your dog’s response to other dogs. This could be due to a lack of proper socialization or previous negative experiences with other dogs.
- People: Similarly, dogs can be leash-reactive to people, either due to fear, mistrust, or territorial behavior.
- Cars and other moving objects: Some dogs may feel threatened or scared by fast-moving objects like cars, bicycles, or skateboards, leading to leash reactivity.
- Eye contact: Dogs can be sensitive to direct eye contact, which they may perceive as a challenge or threat, causing them to become reactive.
When addressing leash reactivity, it’s essential to focus on desensitizing your dog to their triggers and gradually building their confidence.
With patience, consistency, and the right training techniques, you can help your dog overcome leash reactivity and enjoy stress-free walks together.
For more information about how to work with leash reactive dogs, go to:
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We're sorry if we omitted any names from those of you who helped us in any capacity in the month of SEPTEMBER, but we do not always know the names of our Paws in Prison angels!
Diane B, Debra B, Glenn H, Ramona J, Tina P, Jennifer K, Nathan R, Edward D
We are especially grateful to the following folks who entered their pet into the Cutest Critter Photo Contest:
Amy C, Andrew B, Jennifer K, Marilyn B, Debra B, Dina T, Nina N, Jill R, Erika H, Jaymi E, Janice M, Jason H, Jeri M, Kay R, Kimberly D, Kim L, Lisa C, Lynda H, Linda S, Mike B, Nicole S, Penny L, Sharon A, Shivani G, Cheryl L.
And the contest couldn't have been successful without the 108 individuals who cast votes for their favorite Cutest Critters!!!!
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,
Diana S, Shelly R, Heather W, Diana S.
Did we miss thanking you? We don't always know the name of our giving angels (Facebook doesn't send us names). Please let us know by sending an email to
Donations@pawsinprison.com
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Mailing Address:
1711 S Colorado ST., Suite E-204,
Lockhart, Texas 78644
Phone: (833) 341-3523
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