Pups in Prison & Community Programs

scott keen

In November 2002, two puppies were sentenced to serve 16 months for good behaviour in Kirkconnell Correctional Centre, about 28km east of Bathurst NSW, as part of Assistance Dogs Australia’s pilot Pups in Prison program.

“The Pups in Prison program began as a way for Assistance Dogs Australia to train more dogs to help people with physical disabilities, while helping offenders serving time in corrective centres along the way,” said Assistance Dogs Australia’s Top Dog,Richard Lord. “The aim of the program is to reduce re-offending behaviour by giving offenders skills to assist in their own rehabilitation.”

Each puppy was assigned to two inmate handlers who acted as the primary caregivers and trainers of the pups while they were ‘doing time’. An officer was assigned to take each puppy home with them and expose them to a family lifestyle – an invaluable experience for when the pups become working dogs. Assistance Dogs Australia’s experienced volunteer trainers run once a week puppy classes giving handlers formal lessons ensuring the pups are progressing in their training at the necessary speed.

“The Pups in Prison program has been changing the environment and more importantly the lives of offenders serving time in Corrective Centres acrossAustralia,” Mr Lord said.

And he’s right.

One offender who is part of the program said, “Instead of taking from society it provides us with the opportunity to actually give back. From criminal to contributor… I know that at times this job will not be easy, but I also know that this will be one of the most rewarding things we ever do – and this will show in the interactions with trainers, our dedication to the dogs, and the care we put into their training. It will be rough when the time comes for the dogs to leave. But in spite of this heartache, I feel as though it will be well worth it.”

The Pups in Prison pilot program has been so successful that variations of the model have been implemented in eight other Corrective Centres all acrossAustralia. All of these programs have been implemented by Assistance Dogs Australia in partnership and with the support of the relevant state government departments.

“The program is what we like to call a triple treat as it helps Assistance Dogs Australia, it helps the handlers to develop skills such as improved communication skills, increased self confidence and the ability to work as a team member, all of which may contribute to future employment,” Mr Lord said. “But, most importantly this program allows these guys to give back to the community, with these dogs eventually giving freedom and independence to someone with a physical disability.”

Justice Pups

The Pups in Prison program is hugely successful which has allowed the program to expand not only in to Juvenile Justice Centres in partnership with Juvenile Justice NSW.

In November 2008, Assistance Dogs Australia’s first Justice Pups, Frankie and Baxter began to change the environment and the lives of young offenders serving time in Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre in Kariong NSW.

“The young offenders involved in the program have shown signs of improved self esteem and confidence, they have learnt skills such as patience that will help them be an active member of society upon their release and they’ve also had an opportunity to meet and interact with new role models,” Mr Lord said.  “As the pups go everywhere with their handlers they attend the centre’s education system and have proven to have a settling effect in the classrooms, helping the young men focus on their studies. Young handlers also develop their literacy skills, keeping an up to date diary of the dogs’ lives.”

This program, like the Pups in Prison program allows the young handlers to give back to the community with dogs eventually being placed with a person with a physical disability.

One young dog handler said, “I knew this was something I could give back to the community. If I can make one person smile I’m happy to do that… I’m doing it for the good of someone else, so they [the assistance puppies in training] can save someone else’s life, make someone else’s life easier.”

The program has proven to be another success and as of November 2009 expanded Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre in NSW, with pups River and Rina changing the lives of those involved in the program. 

Which offenders are chosen to help the paw?

“In order to participate in the program, offenders need to apply to be part of the program and are then expected to go through an interview process with our K9 manager, and senior staff and the Corrective Centre or Juvenile Justice Centre. They are made to understand that this is something very worthwhile and they proceed through a two day workshop where they learn about dog training and sign off on a commitment of responsibility to Assistance Dogs and the program within the centre,” said Mr Lord. “The guys involved realise that while the program is a lot of fun it is a serious commitment – this is not just a pet they are being given.”

The End Result

After sixteen months of training within the Pups in Prison Program or the Juvenile Justice Program the pups graduate from their L-plate jackets to their P-plate jackets, returning to Assistance Dogs Australia’sNationalTraining Schoolfor intensive training with our experienced trainers. After six months of intensive training the super pups  are then ready to be matched with a recipient who has a physical disability.

Meet some of the pups who trained in Prison and are now making a massive difference to peoples lives.

Jemima was trained within the Pups in Prison program and is now a team mate to 10 Year old Abby.

Abby’s new best friend, Jemima makes her smile with just a wag of her tail and quickly became one of the family. “She’s my furry sister,” said ten year old, Abby.

Abby has ataxia, low muscle tone and developmental delay which means she needs to use a wheelchair. Jemima is her constant companion and loves nothing more than cuddling up to Abby, giving her puppy hugs and kisses.

“Jemima is Abby’s best friend, she’s there for her wagging her tail when Abby gets home,” Rebecca, Abby’s mum said. “Their favourite thing to do together is to go walking to the beach. Abby can push her wheelchair with Jemima right beside her and it’s their time together. If Abby can’t do something like, play on the play equipment, it’s ok because Jemima is there for her.”

Jemima has made the family even more social, as everyone wants to meet her when she and Abby are out and about and has a positive impact on everyone.

“When Abby is upset, Jemima can calm her down, she has a real calming influence” Rebecca said. “She also helps us convince Abby to do things that she doesn’t really like, like having a bath!”

Meet Susan and Ziggy

Meet Tim and Roxy

Meet Alexis and Toomba

Meet  Nathan and Ruby

 

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pups in prison