Pound Pup Legacy

NEADS opened its first Prison PUP Partnership in December, 1998 at North Central Correctional Center in Gardner, Massachusetts.

To date, over 80 puppies raised in the Prison PUP Partnership have been placed as service dogs. Statistics show that prison dogs experieince advanced training in half the time as dogs raised in foster homes because of the higher level of training the dogs receive from inmates. This benefits not only our dogs because they spend less time in the kennel, but more importantly, our clients because it enables us to place dogs faster with people in need.

Staff members initially screen interested inmates at each facility. Each must meet certain criteria in their overall behavior and job records. Potential inmate handlers chosen are usually model inmates. NEADS puppy program staff then interview all candidates and make final selections for participants in the program.

Each puppy is matched with a primary and a backup handler. The puppy lives with the primary handler. We provide a crate so that the handler can set up a sleeping area within his/her room. Although inmates sleeping quarters are called “cells”, they are more like college dormitories. Puppies spend most of their time with the primary handler. This means that they go along with them to programs, classes, recreation areas, and even to chow halls for meals. The only time they actually spend in the room with the inmate is usually at night or for scheduled count times when inmates are required to be in their room. Some inmates hold part-time jobs in addition to participating in the program, but most participants in the program are not required to work because of the demands of raising a puppy. Occasionally the puppy may go along to work with the handler or will be cared for by a backup handler until his/her handler returns from their job.

A NEADS trainer visits each prison program once a week to conduct a two-hour class for the inmates in the program. Here, the inmates learn how to teach their puppy basic obedience and service dog tasks. In addition, they learn how to groom and properly care for their puppy, basic first aid, and canine health. The trainer assesses each puppy each week, making training recommendations and homework for the handler for the upcoming week.