SAVING MORE THAN DOGS SINCE 2007 |
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IN THIS ISSUE
- WHAT IS THIS DOG?
- OUR UPDATED MISSION STATEMENT
- NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
- FIRST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
- DOES YOUR DOG HAVE SEPARATION ANXIETY?
- UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
- DNA RESULTS
- GIVING THANKS
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My name is Tater and you may recognize me from the Paws in Prison website videos. I was found wandering the streets of Lockhart before I went into the Lockhart Shelter. Thankfully Paws in Prison rescued me from there. When I came into prison I was scared of loud noises and, well, just about everything. But the love and care of my handlers really helped and I earned my AKC good citizen certification easily. I was adopted in March 2020 right when Covid sheltering and lockdowns started. With the security of a forever family who loves me, I am no longer that scared, trembling dog that I was before, although I confess all the thunder lately has caused me some distress. Even though I am only 14 lbs, it is my job to guard our house from the Amazon delivery people and to rid the yard of squirrels. I respond instantly to "no" by stopping whatever I was doing because my goal in life is to please my human parents who absolutely adore me! I love performing tricks for treats and am quick to learn.
Can you guess my genetics?
My DNA results are at the end of this newsletter.
Do you have DNA results for your dog? If you would like to highlight your dog in "What Is this Dog," send an email to Info@PawsInPrison.com
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(2) OUR NEW UPDATED
MISSION STATEMENT
Paws in Prison educates female inmates for greater responsibility and empathy through the rescue and training of shelter dogs to be adopted by the public. The women who participate in the Paws in Prison program are given an opportunity to earn certifications that could benefit them for job opportunities after prison release.
SAVING MORE THAN DOGS!
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(3) ANNOUNCING OUR NEW
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM!
As you read in our August newsletter, inmates can now earn on-the-job training certifications for their role in our Paws in Prison dog training curriculum. When one of our dogs is successfully adopted into a forever home, that success is the result of the care and training of a team of Lockhart Ladies. Certifications are a goal for the ladies to work towards, but we also care about these ladies beyond their time with us when they are released back into society.
Catherine Laria, our visionary Inmate Trainer and Executive Director, knew that if we could help them further their education after prison release by giving them opportunities to attend animal welfare vocational training, that would give them another leg up for success in the civilian world and benefit society too. Inmates who return to their communities without the ability to get a job often end up back in prison. Most parolees do not have the finances to attend grooming schools, vet tech/assistant training, and dog training certification opportunities.
To provide scholarships to the women who are transitioning back into our communities we depend on, you guessed it, grants and donations. Scholarship applications will be carefully reviewed by our Board and will be awarded based on our financial ability to fund their vocational training in the animal welfare industry. As our mission slogan says, we are
SAVING MORE THAN DOGS!
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(4) THE FIRST RECIPIENT
OF OUR NEW
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM!
"My name is Ashley Bush and I’m the first recipient of the Paws in Prison scholarship. Let me just begin by saying that I never imagined my life could be as amazing as it is now. It’s not a perfect life, but I have a direction and an amazing opportunity to live a life I never thought possible. I have been in and out of the state of Texas Corrections facilities since the age of 13 and I’m a recovering addict. Thanks to the Paws in Prison program at the Lockhart facility I was able to get training in working with dogs, something I quickly came to enjoy, and turn that new passion into a possible career.
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I’ve come to realize this opportunity has given me a path to stay out of the correction facilities and a purpose to create a new, stable life for myself and my children. When I was first released from the Lockhart facility, I was able to immediately start employment as a kennel technician with the experience and knowledge that I learned from the program. After working with the dogs a few months, I made the decision to enroll in a dog grooming school. My family was able to help me financially get started and prove that this was something I was committed to doing.
I learned that the Paws in Prison program was looking to further help women that had previously been involved in the program. With the support of my family, I decided to write to the Board and ask if they would be willing to grant me a scholarship to help finish dog grooming school. I can’t begin to express how excited and grateful I am that they agreed to take a chance and award me the first ever scholarship.
I don’t think that just saying THANK YOU would ever be enough to express my gratitude, but I must say thank you for taking a chance on me. I feel a great sense of responsibility to set an example for other incarcerated women that may feel they have no hope at a bright future when they get out of prison. I want all women who are currently incarcerated to know that there is life after prison and if I can change anyone can, but we need to be given an opportunity. Paws in Prison was my opportunity and I’ll forever be grateful for all they’ve done to help me."
The Friends of Paws in Prison Board of Directors thanks our donors and grant funders. Without you, scholarships like this one for Ashley could never have happened. Help us continue this opportunity!
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(5) DOES YOUR DOG SUFFER FROM
SEPARATION ANXIETY?
Now that the world is opening up again, people are beginning to return to their "normal" lives - going to work outside the home, meeting friends for lunch or dinner, shopping trips, happy hour, etc. Your pets have loved having you with them 24/7, but now things are changing. You are leaving them ALONE!
The good news is, your dogs have bonded with you, love you, and are very attached to you. The bad news is, this can result in some undesirable behaviors as your dogs deal with separation anxiety. But there are several actions you can take to help them.
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(6) UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
ONGOING NOW: Petco Love Story (see below)
The Second Cutest Critter Photo Contest is
coming in September! Start snapping those adorable, fun, and crazy critter photos!
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If you have a Paws in Prison dog right now, regardless of what year you adopted, please share your Love Story with the Petco Foundation by September 20, 2021, in 500 words or less. We could be eligible for a grant from Petco Foundation if they select one of our stories or if we have lots of stories submitted! Because we have existed since 2007, surely we have many love stories to share. Just tell them how adopting your dog has changed your life.
You may know you have a great story, but don't feel like you are a good enough writer. Petco allows us to help you edit your story, but you have to write it and submit it to them per the button below. If you want our help with editing, write your story then send it to us in an email or attached to an email in a Word document. After we edit it, we will send it back to you to review and submit to Petco. For editing help, send your story to:
Adoptions@pawsinprison.com
When you are ready to submit your story to Petco, click on the link below to apply to the Petco Love Story contest!
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WE GIVE YOU THANKS
To all of you who have helped us in any capacity at all last month, we are deeply grateful. We're sorry if we have omitted any names here - we do not always know the names of our Friends of Paws in Prison angels!
Lauri R, Marie C, Melissa M, Maymi E, Vicky W, Diana S, Lisa L, Spirit of Fear Clothing, Dave C, Julie J, Patricia F, Jennifer K, Debbie M, Jeri M, Anonymous through Great Nonprofits, Relay4Rescue, Preceptor Beta Epsilon Sorority, Blackbaud Giving Fund
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Mailing Address:
1711 S Colorado St., Suite E-204,
Lockhart, Texas 78644
Phone: (833) 341-3523
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