Missouri Puppies for Parole Dog Training Program

We've barked quite a bit about the Missouri Puppies for Parole program and are pleased that it is now operating in 13 of Missouri's prisons.  It's definitely a winning proposition for everyone involved.  Dogs from animal shelters get another chance for a good home by receiving training which can include house breaking, basic obedience, and some even learn sign language.  Offenders get a chance to contribute to society, engage in something positive and learn a new skill.  And the program doesn't cost taxpayers a dime.  All the pet food and supplies are donated.

To date over 250 dogs have been trained and adopted.  Notable success stories include Sparky, a dachshund that was scheduled for euthanasia because he is deaf.  Missouri prison offenders took the dog and taught him sign language.  They then raised the money to pay for the dog's adoption fee and donated Sparky to the Missouri School for the Deaf.  Students there continue Sparky's lessons.

Another is the case of Knuckles who was returned to animal shelters twice due to behavior problems.  After his Puppies for Parole training, he was placed in a home as a companion for a little girl with Autism.  The little girl bonded with Knuckles immediately and is now able to sleep through the night.

 

Deaf Dogs Trained and Taught Sign Language: MO Puppies for Parole

Zeus, a deaf Dachshund dog  

If you read my post earlier this morning, you read about Bailey, the deaf Dalmation dog being trained and taught sign language through the Missouri Puppies for Parole program.  Bailey is not the first deaf dog trained by MO offenders and, I suspect, she won't be the last.

In January of this year, offenders at the South Central Correctional Center (SCCC) in Licking, MO raised funds to pay for the adoption fees to donate a deaf dog to the Missouri School for the Deaf.

Offenders at SCCC not only gave Zeus a second chance at life, they also made sure he was going to a good home where he will help others. Zeus, a male,
deaf Dachshund, was donated to the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton. The adoption fees were paid for by the offenders.

Zeus was born deaf. The birth defect rendered him useless to the breeder and his future was uncertain,at best. The Dachshund ended up at an animal rescue shelter where his handicap plagued any chance foradoption. The shelter reached out to SCCC, which participates in the Department of Corrections’
(DOC) Puppies for Parole program. The program pairs rescueddogs with offenders at prisons throughout the statefor training in order to make them more adoptable.

When the shelter approached SCCC about taking Zeus in for the eight-week training session, the offender handling team was more than willing to accept the challenge of helping the dogovercome his disability. In preparation, the handlers met with deaf offenders at SCCC to learn sign language. The
offenders devised a plan that would teach the Dachshund how to respond to commands with the use of sign language.

“Surprisingly, within the first week Zeus had the command ‘sit’ picked up,” said Tina Holland, SCCC institutional activitycoordinator. “We couldn’t use a dog whistle as a training tool because he couldn’t hear it. The offenders figured out how to train Zeus by stomping the ground with their feet. He could feel the vibrations from the floor. Once he recognized what the vibrationsmeant, he picked up one command after another.”


Holland said the offenders used treats as positive reinforcement because Zeus also suffered from severe anxiety. After the dog’s training was complete, the offenders got together and decided they wanted Zeus sent to a school for the deaf so he could help others. They made that possible by raising and donating
the adoption fees. “It was really rough on them (the offender handlers) when he left,” Holland said. “This was a huge accomplishment for them. It’s truly an inspirational story.”


Puppies for Parole is funded by donations only and does not receive state funding. The dogs’ training consists of a two-month period in which they learn verbal commands and general obedience. The offenders and the dogs go through the rehabilitative process together. The culmination of the training is the graduation ceremony at theend of the eight weeks, during which time the dogs are administered a K-9 Good Citizenship Test they must pass. Offender trainers gain vocational skills and learn responsibility through the program. It
alsooffers offenders the opportunity to repay the community. 

On February 1, 2010, Jefferson City Correctional Center received the first dog through Puppies for Parole. There are currently 75 dogs in training at 10 of the DOC’s institutions. For many of the dogs that are selected for the program, it allows them asecond chance, if not their only chance, to find a home. Since its inception, approximately 150 dogs have been saved from euthanization and have been adopted out.

Adopt Bailey a Deaf Dalmation Dog: MO Puppies for Parole

Bailey, deaf Dalmation dog at MO Puppies for Parole  

Yes, you read that correctly. Bailey is deaf. And she knows sign language.

Bailey is a female Dalmation dog that is being trained at the Jefferson City Correctional Center through the Missouri Puppies for Parole program. Her parole office is the Jefferson City Animal shelter (which means that is the shelter she came from and from where she may be adopted.

Bailey was pulled from the shelter and placed in the MO Puppies for Parole program when she was only 13 weeks old. Definitely cute and oh, so smart, she immediately stole the hearts of everyone. Her trainers have taught her sign language and she already knows how to sit, stay and roll over.

Puppies for Parole is a unique program made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they will be sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.

Adopt Stripe: Border Collie Mix Dog from MO Puppies for Parole

Border Collie Mix, Stripe - photo Mo Dept of Corrections

Stripe is a female Border Collie mixed breed dog.  She's in the MO Puppies for Parole program at the Farmington Correctional Center.  Right now her trainer is working with Stripe on focus exercises and self confidence because she's timid and afraid of pretty much everything.  Her parole office is Massas Creek (and that's who will supervise her adoption into a forever home.)

Puppies for Parole is a unique program made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they will be sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.

Adopt Delaney: Shepherd Mix Dog Trained by MO Puppies for Parole

Delaney - Adoptable Dog from
Missouri Puppies for Parole Training Program

Do you have room in your heart for another canine companion?  Consider Delaney, a hound / shepherd mixed breed dog.  She's being trained in basic obedience skills by the Missouri Puppies for Parole program at the Crossroads Correctional Center.  Delaney's parole office is TAILS Rescue and she can be adopted through them.  Her trainer reports that Delaney is very happy go lucky. 

Puppies for Parole is a unique Department of Corrections program made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they will be sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.

The benefits of this program are three-fold. Puppies for Parole gives offenders the skills necessary to support successful rehabilitation, reentry, ultimately improving public safety. At the same time, this is an opportunity for the offenders to re-pay Missouri communities and repair some of the debts caused by their crimes.

Adopt Gizmo: Golden Retriever Corgi Mixed Breed Dog from MO Puppies for Parole

Gizmo, Golden Retriever mixed breed dog at
Missouri Puppies for Parole

Now here's some good news.  Not only is Missouri Puppies for Parole is about to adopt its 200th dog, but this successful private / public partnership program is set to expand into two more prisons this spring.  That will bring the total to 14 of Missouri's state prisons participating. 

Talk about a winning proposition.  Puppies for Parole operates without the use of any taxpayer dollars.  Dogs from animal shelters and animal advocacy groups are trained by prison inmates and then are available for adoption to the public.  Obviously, the dogs and shelters benefit:  these dogs become more adoptable.  However, the inmates involved in the program benefit as well.

Considering adding a new dog to your family?  Just take a look at the sweet face on Gizmo.  He's a young Golden Retriever / Corgi mixed breed dog.  Gizmo is receiving his training at the Western Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center;  his parole office is the St Joseph Animal Control and Rescue.  According to his trainer, Gizmo is already a nice dog, but they're working on some anxiety issues due to his recent separation from his owners. 

Adopt Dawn an Adoptable Dog Trained by MO Puppies for Parole

Dawn - an adoptable dog from the Missouri
Puppies from Parole program

For Love of a Dog would like to introduce you to Dawn, a Pekingese dog available for adoption.

Dawn is a female Pekingese dog who is receiving her training at the Western Missouri Correctional Center through the Puppies for Parole program. Her parole office is the City of Cameron Animal Control and Shelter. (which means that is the Puppies for Parole shelter / rescue partner for Dawn.)

Dawn was a puppy mill breeding dog.  She's friendly and has become housebroken quickly.  However, her regal nature does not take kindly to being told what to do.  Learning commands is coming slowly.

Puppies for Parole is a program of the Missouri Department of Corrections made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they are sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.