Dogs provide therapy to people in prison

Most dog owners would agree that they value their dog’s unconditional love over most of their canine’s other characteristics. Dogs are naturally very loving and trusting, however they are also lovable and trustworthy. Inmates all over the world are experiencing this love and trust first hand as they partake in dog training programs within their prison.

Many prisons all over the world are adopting dog therapy programs. Though the programs differ from prison to prison, there is a common structure throughout many of the programs. Most of these programs take puppies from animal shelters and place each dog with an inmate. Many of the programs have standards that allow them to choose the inmates who take part in this program. Typically, the prisoners must not be there for a violent crime, must have adequate time left in prison to complete the program and must agree to follow all of the rules and put their puppy’s comfort as their first priority. Some prisons offer this program strictly to women, however there are many programs for men in prison as well.

The puppies live within their inmate’s cell, getting plenty of one on one attention from their new owner. Often times, the inmates within this program live together in a special area of the prison. They each participate in group training classes to supplement the individual time they spend with their canine pals. To get them even more involved with the dogs, they are often assigned readings that help them to further understand the training process and their dogs.

This project helps to prepare the inmates for their reintroduction into society. They care for the dogs and in turn learn patience, compassion, trust and the power of love. As our dogs do for us, these dogs provide the inmates with essential love and support, to help them heal.

Many of the programs train the dogs for future use as guide dogs meaning that the inmates must surrender their dogs when they complete the program. However, they are newly empowered with the knowledge that they have taken part in something beneficial for someone else and have gained confidence through their dog’s love.