Prison Pups
The New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc. Prison Pup Program is proving to be a very successful collaboration with the State of Florida Department of Corrections. Our pilot program (at the Sago Palm Work Camp in Pahokee, FL) commenced in July 2009 with the arrival of the first four puppies. Prison officials have been so impressed with the results that they requested a second program start-up at the South Florida Reception Center in Miami that began in March 2010. The inmates will train the puppies for 16-18 months, providing basic obedience, intermediate training and advanced training until the dogs are returned to our Orange City facility for additional skill acquisition and eventual placement with a person who is disabled.
The Prison Pup Program has dual beneficiaries: the individual with disabilities and the inmates. Once placed, the service dog will increase our client’s self-sufficiency and independence by opening doors, pulling wheelchairs, retrieving dropped items and improving the overall quality of life for the person with a disability. For the inmates, the skills that they acquire during this process will improve their chances of success once they are released from prison and re-enter the outside community. Improved self-esteem, confidence, interpersonal skills and life skills will help to deter their return to the prison system.
