sweetpea
12-08-2004, 08:36 AM
Prison program rescues dogs from euthanasia
BY DAWN BORMANN
Knight Ridder Newspapers
LANSING, Kan. - (KRT) - When Willie arrived at the Lansing, Kan., Correctional Facility, he was a wreck.
Dogs at an animal shelter had attacked the miniature Australian Shepherd and left him a timid and nervous creature. He was scarred on his head and body, and so shy he wasn't considered a candidate for adoption.
It was up to a group of prison inmates to retrain and socialize the dog through a nonprofit animal rescue program called Safe Harbor. To date, Safe Harbor has rescued more than 150 dogs from euthanasia because of the prison program.
With the warden's blessing, Safe Habor president Toby Young takes dogs past the prison gates and into the hands of inmates waiting for a challenge. While the dogs are rescued from an all but certain death, the inmates learn some things far deeper than just dog training.
"They're rescuing us. It's not just for the dogs; it's for us, too," said inmate Sonny Colston, as Willie curled his paw around his tattooed arm. "You can take the hardest-core prisoner in here, and these dogs will change them."
Willie, though, was a challenge.
"Crowds and people would freak him out," recalled Dan Johnson, an inmate handler.
Weeks later, however, Willie could sit, stand and speak upon command. When inmates weren't cuddling the tiny dog in their arms, he maneuvered about with so much confidence that they had to put duct tape around his collar so it wouldn't jingle as others slept. He learned to live with other dogs.
The training hasn't stopped with Willie.
Inmates have been known to spend money at the prison commissary, buying treats like Vienna sausages for the dogs. The rigors of prison life are momentarily forgotten as inmates engage in baby-talk to earn attention from their new pets. Some have even trained the dogs to respond to commands in Spanish or perform tricks like turning off the light switch.
The program has become so popular that a waiting list was formed among the minimum- and medium-security inmates who are allowed to participate. "It teaches us responsibility. We have to care for a being," said inmate Luis Gutierrez. "If we get in trouble, we know that we're going to lose these dogs."
More than 100 dogs, including Willie, have been adopted for the $125 fee since the program began in August. The dogs are up for public adoption on the first and third Saturdays each month at Jeffries Farm & Home Center or at www.safeharborforpets.com.
So far, the program has had a tremendous success rate, with recent adoptions averaging 11 a week.
"I still can't comprehend how many people want our dogs," Young said.
Dog lovers have driven from Ohio, Iowa and western Kansas to adopt a particular pet. Some adopters have called ahead of time to request the inmate handlers teach the dogs certain skills.
Young and the inmates are happy to oblige. She teaches a weekly dog training program and inmates reinforce the skills throughout the week.
A few inmates have arranged for their parents or friends to adopt the animals. In other cases, correctional officers have taken a liking to certain dogs and taken them home as family pets after the training process was complete.
After adoptions, inmates typically receive new dogs within days.
Only one dog will remain at the prison until his death. Young and prison administrators decided long ago that an ailing Dalmatian named Mozart would not be adopted. He has heartworms and is too old to be treated for the condition. The inmates rally around the old dog and have done their best to make sure his last days are the best.
"He's a lifer, like us," Colston explained.
Since his arrival, Mozart has gained at least five pounds, becoming accustomed to a higher quality of food. Mozart's former handler began sending money to a family member several months ago. In exchange, the family member sent back top-quality dog food that wasn't available at the prison. The shipments continued even after Mozart's handler was transferred to another prison.
"He made sure Mozart was taken care of," Colston said.
The remainder of the dog food and the veterinary care is donated or paid for through adoption fees. The program is run without taxpayer funds.
"We just give them a warm safe place to be," said Brett Peterson, prison spokesman.
Young donates her time, as do the inmates.
"They have so much time and they love these dogs," Young said.
Prison administrators believe the program has created a noticeable change in the atmosphere at the prison. Inmates agree.
"Some of your most hardened people that have rough exteriors, these dogs melt them," said Randall Wyatt. "It's a rough life in here. This brings back something they haven't had."
---
© 2004, The Kansas City Star.
Visit The Star Web edition on the World Wide Web at http://www.kcstar.com
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/10366964.htm?1c
BY DAWN BORMANN
Knight Ridder Newspapers
LANSING, Kan. - (KRT) - When Willie arrived at the Lansing, Kan., Correctional Facility, he was a wreck.
Dogs at an animal shelter had attacked the miniature Australian Shepherd and left him a timid and nervous creature. He was scarred on his head and body, and so shy he wasn't considered a candidate for adoption.
It was up to a group of prison inmates to retrain and socialize the dog through a nonprofit animal rescue program called Safe Harbor. To date, Safe Harbor has rescued more than 150 dogs from euthanasia because of the prison program.
With the warden's blessing, Safe Habor president Toby Young takes dogs past the prison gates and into the hands of inmates waiting for a challenge. While the dogs are rescued from an all but certain death, the inmates learn some things far deeper than just dog training.
"They're rescuing us. It's not just for the dogs; it's for us, too," said inmate Sonny Colston, as Willie curled his paw around his tattooed arm. "You can take the hardest-core prisoner in here, and these dogs will change them."
Willie, though, was a challenge.
"Crowds and people would freak him out," recalled Dan Johnson, an inmate handler.
Weeks later, however, Willie could sit, stand and speak upon command. When inmates weren't cuddling the tiny dog in their arms, he maneuvered about with so much confidence that they had to put duct tape around his collar so it wouldn't jingle as others slept. He learned to live with other dogs.
The training hasn't stopped with Willie.
Inmates have been known to spend money at the prison commissary, buying treats like Vienna sausages for the dogs. The rigors of prison life are momentarily forgotten as inmates engage in baby-talk to earn attention from their new pets. Some have even trained the dogs to respond to commands in Spanish or perform tricks like turning off the light switch.
The program has become so popular that a waiting list was formed among the minimum- and medium-security inmates who are allowed to participate. "It teaches us responsibility. We have to care for a being," said inmate Luis Gutierrez. "If we get in trouble, we know that we're going to lose these dogs."
More than 100 dogs, including Willie, have been adopted for the $125 fee since the program began in August. The dogs are up for public adoption on the first and third Saturdays each month at Jeffries Farm & Home Center or at www.safeharborforpets.com.
So far, the program has had a tremendous success rate, with recent adoptions averaging 11 a week.
"I still can't comprehend how many people want our dogs," Young said.
Dog lovers have driven from Ohio, Iowa and western Kansas to adopt a particular pet. Some adopters have called ahead of time to request the inmate handlers teach the dogs certain skills.
Young and the inmates are happy to oblige. She teaches a weekly dog training program and inmates reinforce the skills throughout the week.
A few inmates have arranged for their parents or friends to adopt the animals. In other cases, correctional officers have taken a liking to certain dogs and taken them home as family pets after the training process was complete.
After adoptions, inmates typically receive new dogs within days.
Only one dog will remain at the prison until his death. Young and prison administrators decided long ago that an ailing Dalmatian named Mozart would not be adopted. He has heartworms and is too old to be treated for the condition. The inmates rally around the old dog and have done their best to make sure his last days are the best.
"He's a lifer, like us," Colston explained.
Since his arrival, Mozart has gained at least five pounds, becoming accustomed to a higher quality of food. Mozart's former handler began sending money to a family member several months ago. In exchange, the family member sent back top-quality dog food that wasn't available at the prison. The shipments continued even after Mozart's handler was transferred to another prison.
"He made sure Mozart was taken care of," Colston said.
The remainder of the dog food and the veterinary care is donated or paid for through adoption fees. The program is run without taxpayer funds.
"We just give them a warm safe place to be," said Brett Peterson, prison spokesman.
Young donates her time, as do the inmates.
"They have so much time and they love these dogs," Young said.
Prison administrators believe the program has created a noticeable change in the atmosphere at the prison. Inmates agree.
"Some of your most hardened people that have rough exteriors, these dogs melt them," said Randall Wyatt. "It's a rough life in here. This brings back something they haven't had."
---
© 2004, The Kansas City Star.
Visit The Star Web edition on the World Wide Web at http://www.kcstar.com
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/10366964.htm?1c