Puppies Trained in Prison

What are puppies doing in prisons? The short answerMassachusetts. NEADS is a non-profit organization
is they are being trained to assist the disabledthat provides assistance dogs for the deaf and
population. The number in the disabled population isdisabled. They have more than 80 puppies in eight
expected to change considerably in the near future,correctional facilities around New England.
with the thousands of wounded veterans returningThe puppies complete their training in four months and
from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This will significantlyare then provided to members of the disabled
increase the demand for these assistance dogs. Thepopulation through a waiting list. There are some 85
creator of this program was really spot-on!people requesting assistance dogs currently.
In some of the low and medium security prisonHaving these dogs in a prison setting has provided
facilities, inmates are chosen to take a puppy to raise.benefits for the prison atmosphere, too. They seem to
These inmates are non-violent and have demonstratedbring out the best in the inmates and their very
good behavior. The puppies are with the inmates allpresence diffuses tension. Puppies just have that
the time ... at mess hall, at the gym and sleeping in dogaffect on people. The inmates selected to raise the
crates in their rooms. These facilities are not cells, butpuppies benefit by being distracted from missing the
rooms with doors, to better acclimate the puppy foroutside world and they receive unconditional love and
the real world.companionship .... not exactly what one typically finds in
The inmates, along with a professional dog trainer, puta correctional facility. The puppies also benefit as they
the dogs through a substantial program that preparesget all the undivided attention and affection they can
them for advanced training at the National Educationhandle. The program is an all around winner!
for Assistance Dog Service (NEADS) in central