Pound Pup Legacy

ICAN’s Prison Facility Training Grounds:

With pups in training living in three Indiana Correctional Facilities, we have tried to be flexible and respect the different structure and needs of the various institutions.

How we select handlers is similar in all prisons. ICAN and the on-site coordinator jointly screen and interview prospective handlers. Candidates have to show a pattern of responsible behavior while in the facility, be free from any major conduct problems, have good reports from prior job assignments and not have a history of repeated violence.

All handlers in the adult facilities need to have a minimum of 40 months before release. Given the time we invest in training the trainer, we hope that each handler can raise at least two pups (takes 18 months to ready a pup for advanced training).

All go through a 2-3 month trial period where they are partnered with a senior handler. During this trial period, they learn the basics of teaching and caring for the pups, become familiar with issues people with disabilities face, and practice their training skills.