In House Dog Training Program Documentary

Positive Prisons: Cause and Effect Essay

Kayla Watkins

Ms. McKoy

English 2- Block 2

November 20, 2013

Positive Prisons

             Puppies Behind Bars is an in-house dog-training program where the inmates train many types of service dogs.  This is a fairly new program to prison in the US.  PBB was started in 1997 by Gloria Stoga; she is the founder of the Puppies Behind Bars program.  This program is fairly new and not many prisons have taken advantage of it; therefore, it is a great opportunity for prisons to adopt it and try something different for a change.  For those prisons that have they are glad because they noticed right away the difference it has made.  The program helps keep the dogs out of the pound, helps the disabled who need a service dog, and helps the inmates. 

            The program is undeniably a great thing for the dogs and inmates.  In the article “Going to the Dogs: Prison-Based Training Programs Are Win-Win” author Pamela Hogle highlights what different programs do and what other organizations they work with.  One of the programs that PBB worked with is called NEADS.  NEADS is a stands for “Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans” they created a program called “Pups on Parole” (Hogle 4).  This gives the dogs time outside of the prison to get them used to the other worldly surroundings.  It has been a beneficial portion in their training because they get different experiences which are only good for them.  With including the “Pups on Parole” training into the dogs’ routine it helps them to be more social and increases their chances of being adopted.

            Those who benefit directly from the PBB program are those who adopt a service dog.  In the article “NEW LEASH ON LIFE” author Christina Cheakalos talks specifically about one man named Willi Richards and his dog Victoria.  He said “No, thank you, Mercedes, for Victoria and thank all of you for what you do believe me, you are making a big difference in the world” (Cheakalos 2).  That is just one example of how the program impacts others life so greatly.  There are many others that have experienced the joy of receiving a dog that is trained just for their needs.  The dogs being trained and given to their new owners causes them to have a good life along with their owner doing the same.

            The inmates benefit from the program because it gives them lifelong skills that they can use and also helps them get a job.  In the article “Going to the Dogs: Prison-Based Dog Training Programs Are Win-Win” the author explains more about what they do to help benefit the inmates.  The author states “For example, the program creates jobs and provides vocational training for the participants” (Hogle 4).  One main job that can come from this program is an actual dog trainer and that’s a big deal.  Inmates benefit the most from the program in different ways, and the program is what causes the inmates to transform their lives overall. 

            The PBB program is beneficial and all around life changing to everyone and every animal that becomes a part of it.  The positivity the dogs bring to the prison, along with the hope of the program, brings enlightenment to the entire prison.  If more prisons would take in the training program then the improvement could be seen by other prisons and they might do the same, like a dominoes effect.  The directors of the programs say that the determination and new found strength can be seen in the inmates’ eyes once they’ve trained a dog successfully.  The most rewarding part of the job the inmates say is being able to see the wide smile on the recipients face once they have handed over their new companion.   The effects the PBB program made are only positive and it’s the cause of many happy people, and great service dogs. These programs will be the change, these programs will make a difference, and these programs will bring back the hope for a more accepting future for prisoners.  

Murally Articles on Prison Based Dog Training Programs

Puppies Behind Bars Informational Video

Letter to the Editor

HCS Early College High School

2050 Hwy. 501 East

 Conway, SC 29526

September 19, 2013

 

The Sun News, 
Letter to the Editor, 
P.O. Box 406, 
Myrtle Beach, SC 29578

 

Dear Editor-in-Chief:

My name is Kayla Watkins. I am a sophomore at Early College High School.  I am writing to propose the idea of South Carolina prisons adopting in-house dog training programs.  I know that in the Grand Strand alone shelters for animals stay full.  If prisons adopted these programs that would cut down immensely on the dogs in shelters.  What these programs do is entrust an inmate who is ready for a big job to train a canine to become a service dog. 

As awesome as this seems some people don’t agree this is a good idea because they think a prison is a cruel, inhumane place to keep a dog.  That’s not true though because the dogs would be in the best of hands because inmates have been through similar situations as the dogs and don’t want to hurt them.  Not everyone is willing for change to take place but that’s what these programs would bring is positive change.

Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,

Kayla Watkins

Exploratory Essay

Kayla Watkins

Ms. McKoy

English 2- Block 2

11 September 2013

                                                            Prisoners and their Pups

 

            In August of 2009 in an article titled “Going to the Dogs: Prison Based Training Programs are Win-Win” author Pamela Hogle states “Across the country prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers and other correctional facilities are discovering the benefits of in- house dog training programs” (Hogle).  In house dog training programs are fairly new.  What it is are  programs used in the prison to give inmates a chance to redeem themselves and show they are changing.  The inmates go through a long test to make sure they are ready for a new job.  The inmates get    I first came to hear about programs such as these when I was watching Pit bulls and Parolees.  I love the show and support what they do, so when Tia went to a prison and saw firsthand what the program did she was hooked.  I also got hooked!  If prisons all over the country started the dog training programs they would really see how beneficial they are.  The question comes down to something as simple as should prisons adopted in-house dog training programs?

            Through my research I found out much more about the PBB(Puppies Behind Bars) program.  It was the first program founded in Bedford Hills in 1997 by a woman named Gloria Stoga.  The first program that inspired her to start PBB was called Guiding Eyes.  She claimed “I already knew the impact these dogs make in the lives of blind people, and I somehow intuitively grasp what they could do for prisoners, it just made perfect sense” (Cheakalos 3).  After this initial statement she was able to start turning her dreams into reality.  Jane Russenberger, the senior director of breeding and placement for Guiding Eyes says that “The inmates are highly motivated and raise very well behaved dogs, as good of those of our best raisers” (Cheakalos).  Her statement is just one example of the praises that come from these programs. 

            If anyone were to weigh the bad to the good they would find there is no bad that comes from this program.  One major benefit is the fact that the prison dog programs make the dogs more adoptable and that could save a lot of lives.  There is 500 to 600 service dogs trained each year, and unfortunately for those who need a service dog they have to wait two years.  But if more prisons started service dog training programs the waiting time for a service dog would decrease even more.  The program is said to “give prisoners an increased sense of responsibility, teamwork, and more compassion” (Cheakalos).  Roslyn D. Smith who has rehabilitated three puppies says “The puppies are so alive and trusting and hopeful, you can’t help but become a better person for them, and for yourself” (Cheaklos).  This is one example of how much of a difference these programs are making in the lives of so many people and animals.  One man named Willi Richards who is blind got his dog Victoria from the PBB program and he said “Thank all of you for what you do, believe me, you are making a big difference in the world” (Cheakalos). These programs only help, and help in many ways.  Donald an inmate trainer said “It gives us a chance to stop them from being euthanized and to show that we can be responsible” (Hogle).  It really changes the inmates’ lives because they go from hopeless to heroes.   That is the most important part of the program, is the fact that inmates and their dogs are changing lives.

            I would like to do more research on this topic to see if South Carolina prisons would adopt in-house dog training programs.  There is no reason for prisons not to adopt dog training programs.  The organizations pay for all the dogs’ expenses.  Inmates learn loyalty, love, and structure.  The dogs get to be social and have an owner who appreciates them.  Also the people who get these dogs after their trained are beyond thankful that they have them and are grateful to the inmates for training them.  Prisons across the US adopting in-house dog training programs would be the first step on the path to change.

Narrative Poem

 

Kayla Watkins

Ms. McKoy

English 2-Block 2

10/9/13

 

Grace

Stone hard, ice cold floors

Similar to my heart

When I hear them slam the doors

It tears me apart

 

It's hard being me right now

I have hours upon hours to dwell

When all I wonder is                                                                                          ...how?

How I fell

 

I need to do something to pass the time

I'm eligible for this program they say

Where I won’t be judged for my crime

I am now in charge of a dog all day

 

Her name is Grace

I'm glad they gave her to me

It's nice to always see her face

We might be in a prison but she always seems…free!

 

I've trained her so long

She has become so smart

And grown so strong

She could win anyone’s heart!

 

Todays the day she leaves me

She has become the stronghold I needed and I love her so

I hand her over to her blind owner Paislee

It's painstakingly hard to let her go

 

Watching her walk away

Made me feel worth something

And let me know one day

My past is no longer going to keep me running

 

Not much longer till’ I’m out

I really miss the companionship

I just sit around and pout…

We were inseparable, bound by the hip

 

Would Grace be happy with my actions?

No, she would want me to be proactive

I realized this part of my life is just pictures and they need captions

So I can’t sit here and mope I have to live

 

Paislee called me today... I thought it was a trick!

She said “Thank you, you’ve changed my life”

That hit me like a ton of bricks

And I knew then I wanted to get home to my wife

 

Grace saved me

The program fixed me

The work helped me

Because of it all I have                                                                           ...changed!