I'm going to meet my sister's new inmate-trained dog tomorrow

[IDemo]

Last edited Fri Jun 15, 2012, 10:53 PM - Edit history (1)

We found a great dog for my sister and her husband - a german shepherd that is part of a program for inmates to train and live with dogs for two months. The hand-off will be tomorrow at the Humane Society where the head of the program will provide the first of two two hour training sessions for the new owners to learn all of their new dog's commands. And apparently these dogs know a ton more than 'sit-stay-come'. There is a lot of demand for these animals and the screening process for the owners is quite thorough. I was asked to come along since I played a part in finding her new pet (and payed off the adoption fee since I'm that kind of guy .

I was told by the head of the Humane Society that I could bring our new adoptee Molly along as well but I think she'd be more of a distraction at this point until she gets a few of the basics down.

[Walk away]

1. That's pretty cool!

Can you please post the info? I have a friend who is somewhat handicapped and would love to adopt. I too would be happy to pay the fee.

[IDemo]

2. I'm not sure whether this program is duplicated elsewhere

This one is located in Idaho. You might be able to find a similar project in your area by contacting your local Humane Society.

The Inmate Dog Alliance Project of Idaho (I.D.A.P.I.) is a community partnership of the Idaho Humane Society, Idaho Correctional Center, and the Idaho State Correctional Institutions. IDAPI is a highly successful and beneficial program which places dogs from the Idaho Humane Society temporarily in cell blocks of Idaho correctional facilities for intensive socialization and training by inmates.
https://www.idahohumanesociety.org/about-ihs/special-programs/inmate-trained-shelter-dogs/

Good luck in your search!

[A Simple Game]

3. The I.D.A.P.I. sounds like a win, win, win for everyone involved

including the dogs.

[Walk away]

4. Thanks!

[magical thyme]

5. I think there are programs scattered around

I know there is one in Maine because a humane society near me has dogs from it listed on occasion.

I love these programs. It is such a win/win/win and one of the rehabilitative things I think you can do.

The doggies get to learn to be good companions, the prisoners learn love/trust/caretaking/responsibility, and the adopters get a well socialized dog well prepared for a new life!

[Dystopian]

6. They do this in MA

For those who want to know more...
Please PM...

peace~

[unc70]

7. Friend has wonderful dog trained by inmates

She went to the prison here in NC and met the trainers who taught her about the dog. A couple of sessions before the dig went home with her.

Not only were the trainers proud of their work, but so were other inmates who could see the dog's graduation.

[IDemo]

8. We just got back from the shelter

This was a lengthy session, with an introduction to the program by the head of the Humane Society, followed by a demonstration of the dogs' training outside and a handover to the new owners for some hands-on. These dogs are awesome and I'd like to see similar programs everywhere.

A few of the inmates are now even producing pet portraits and stuffed toys to help pay for the program.

[classof56]

10. Awesome program indeed.

Kudos to you and your sister, not to mention the ID Humane Society and the prisoners who are involved. A win-win all the way around. Oh, and I love those portraits, especially the one with the Boise State scarf. Go Broncs!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. The old HBO series "Oz" had a subplot about that

Inmates raising future guide dogs for the blind

[Mopar151]

11. A little ":hope in a hopeless world:"

And a great way to make positives from negatives. I'm sure that the prisioners get more out of this than the dogs do.

[beveeheart]

12. We have 2 dogs that we "rescued" from the Colorado Correctional Industries

training program for female offenders (preferred term instead of inmates). Both dogs had suffered some sort of abuse before living with their trainers 24/7 for several months. They are both wonderful dogs now and very well-behaved. There are remedial classes offered if the dog and owner need to review the training. For more info, check out: http://www.coloradoci.com/serviceproviders/puppy/.

One of the dogs has such a great personality that he was accepted as a therapy dog for visits to residents in an assisted-living residence.

[irisblue]

13. golden endings

works with Belmont Correctional to train rescued goldens, one of the sweetest breeds ever. It is a win-win-win.

[IDemo]

14. I'm going to put in an application for one of these dogs

We saw what looked like a good companion for our recent adoption - Molly, and found that he is "doing time" out at the pen as part of the IDAPI program. His name is "Auggie", but we thought either "socks" or "boots" would fit too