Patriot PAWS Program

Now that my dog is in training as a Service Dog, I learned about the Patriot PAWS program.

Beau, co-founder of the program
Since 2008, these dogs have spent their formative years in a Texas women's prison, enriching the lives of the inmates who train them even before they meet their veteran companions.

The prison program started when the Texas Department of Criminal Justice contacted Patriot PAWS founder Lori Stevens to offer inmates at its Gatesville, Texas, facility as service dog trainers. Lori, who was already training service dogs for veterans, was looking to expand her program. Now 75 percent of Patriot PAS dogs start out with inmate trainers.

The program has had positive effects on the inmates, too. Inmates learn job skills, and among the inmates involved in Patriot PAWS, only one in 39 have returned to prison.

Read about Beau.....

Service Dog Extraordinaire

A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have physical and/or mental disabilities. Some dogs are even trained to help with medical conditions.

Any breed or mixture of breeds of dog might produce one capable of service work, though few dogs have all of the health and temperament qualities needed.

With that in mind I thought my dog, Ebony, who is well-behaved, sensitive, and smart would make a great service dog.

So she is now in training!

Proper Protocol

You may be tempted to interact with a service dog, BUT before doing so be aware of the proper protocol.

Service dogs have years of training behind them and a serious job.



Proper Protocol Around Service Dogs:

1. Service dogs should not be touched without permission, or offered treats or food.

2. Do not whistle of make distracting sounds.

3. If you would like to speak, speak to the person and not the service dog.

4. When you are walking your dog and come across an assistance dog, remember that the assistance dog is not a pet dog ready to play and that your dog may be disruptive to the team.

5. If you are unsure whether your dog will remain under close control when passing a service dog, you may be wise to cross away from the service dog to limit distraction.

Stopping to say hello and letting your dog sniff or play with a service dog is NOT appropriate, unless the dog has been give a "Release" command.

Prison Dog Program

In Washington in 1981 Sister Pauline Quinn help start the first prison dog program in the nation. The prisoners help train shelter dogs for adoption and service.

Sister Pauline Quinn had a very difficult life as a youngster until she developed a relationship with a dog. That is when her life changed dramatically.

Her original prison dog program, at Washington State Correction Center for Women, now trains 60 dogs a year, and many of them get advanced training to become Service Dogs and Seizure-Alert Dogs, changing the lives of those who need assistance. Equally important, the prison says that in the past three years 100 percent of the inmates in the program who have been release have found jobs.

Now there are prison dog programs all over the world. Stopping recidivism, ending the cycle, is one of the programs main goals.

Learn more about Pathways to Hope, see available dogs, and find out how you can help through this link.