paws4prisons

 

Generalized Overview of the paws4prisons_TMInmate Training Program

The paws4prisons_TM Program teaches federal inmates to train various types of Assistance Dogs and then manages and supervises the training of these Assistance Dogs for and in support of the mission of the paws4prisons_TM foundation.

paws4prisons_TM is a paws4people_TM foundation Program…  The paws4people_TM foundation privately places trained, certified and insured Assistance Dogs (AD) with individuals with physical, neurological, psychological and/or emotional disabilities, including civilians (generally adolescents under the age of fourteen) through its paws4people_TM Assistance Dog Placement Program (p4pADPP) and with Veterans, Active-Duty Service Members (ADSM) or their dependents through its paws4vets_TM  Assistance Dog Placement Program (p4vADPP).

The Program inmates, a very high percentage of which have PTSD or C-PTSD, learn how to train (basic and advanced obedience commands) to “shelter-rescue dogs,” then progress to training very highly-trained Serviced Dogs, some of which know in excess of 130 commands. The program inmates also participate in the customized training, public access training, certification testing and final placement processes for their dogs, including the transfer training process of the dog’s “Service Dog Team Partner.”  This program has served as an inmate rehabilitation program and has considerable success in aiding inmates with PTSD/C-PTSD to recover, or at the very least, better cope with, their PTSD/C-PTSD and its symptoms by utilizing the therapeutic benefits of “Special K-9 Powers” possessed by the dogs they train.

Current paws4risons_TM Training Venues / BoP Facilities:

• US Penitentiary Hazelton, Secure Female Facility (SFF), Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
• US Penitentiary Hazelton, Federal Prison Camp (FPC), Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
• FPC Alderson, Alderson, West Virginia
• FPC Jesup, Jesup, Georgia
• Federal Corrections Institution (FCI) Morgantown, Morgantown, West Virginia
• Lakin Correctional

The paws4prisons_TM Program – management structure

BoP Facility Manager:  The facility’s BoP Staff member delegated the management and/or administrative Program control authority/responsibility, by the Facility’s Warden, for the paws4prisons_TM Program.

paws4prisons_TM Program Manager:  The paws4people_TM/paws4prisons_TM volunteer staff member delegated the management and/or administrative Program control authority/responsibility, by the Executive Director, paws4people_TM, for the paws4prisons_TM Program at a specific BoP Training venue.

paws4prisons_TM Chief Trainer:  The paws4people_TM/paws4prisons_TM volunteer staff member delegated the management and/or training responsibilities, by the Executive Director, paws4people_TM, by the Executive Director, paws4people_TM, for both the inmates and Canines assigned to the paws4prisons_TM Program at a specific BoP Training venue.

How Inmates Enter the paws4prisons_TM Program

• The Application Package

The BoP Facility Manager reviews each application and provides his/her approval of the inmate’s application. Once an application has received the approval of the BoP Facility Manager, the BoP Facility Manager will provide it to the paws4prisons_TM Program Manager.  The paws4prisons_TM Program Manager shall review the application and determine if the applicant should be scheduled for an interview.

• The Inmate Interview

The inmate is notified that their application has been accepted and given an interview date/time.  The interview panel consists of, as a minimum, one paws4prisons_TM program staff members.  Additional interview panel members may include two or less BoP staff as determined by the BoP Facility Manager.

The paws4prisons_TM Program Manager uses the following criteria, derived from the interview of the inmate, as his/her basis for accepting/rejecting the inmate’s acceptance into the program:

• Inmate’s general appearance; i.e. clean uniform worn with USPH/SFF standards, general personal hygiene, etc.
• Inmate’s personal presence and/or demeanor.
• Inmate’s ability to answer questions as posed by the interview panel.
• Inmate’s ability to articulate her reasons for wanting to be a part of the paws4prisons_TM Program.
• Subjective opinion as to the inmate’s potential abilities to perform the task necessary to become a successful member of the paws4prisons_TM Program.

If the inmate passes the interview process, he/she shall become a part of the paws4prisons_TM Program as an Entry-Level Trainer.

If the inmate does NOT pass the interview process, the inmate will be notified that their application has not been accepted, and that if they are still interested in participating in the program they may re-apply in six months.

An inmate must successfully complete the application and interview process prior to beginning the paws4prisons_TM Program, Inmate K-9 Training Program.  Once an inmate completes the Inmate Selection Process he/she may begin the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer Program.

• Entry-Level K-9 Trainer Program

An inmate who is an Entry-Level K-9 Trainer shall be considered to be in”Basic Training.”

An Entry-Level K-9 Trainer must accomplish the following in order to be considered to elevation to an Apprentice K-9 Trainer:

• Must take the paws4prisons_TM Program K-9 Foster Manual Course.  This course must be passed by the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer with a score of 90% or Greater.  Once the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer has passed the K-9 Foster Manual Course, he/she is qualified to handle a dog.   The Entry-Level K-9 Trainer must now accomplish the following:

• The Entry-Level K-9 Trainer must complete twelve (12) of K-9 Exercise Sessions.  The first Exercise Session with a new dog (defined as a dog the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer has not worked with previously) shall be conducted under the direct supervision of the Primary or Alternate K-9 Trainer assigned to that specific dog.  An Entry-Level K-9 Trainer must accomplish their twelve (12) K-9 Exercise Sessions utilizing at least three (3) different dogs.

•  K-9 Command Set Training Sessions:  A K-9 Command Set Training Session is defined as a minimum period of thirty minutes in which the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer works, under the tutelage of a K-9 Trainer or Senior Training, with a specific dog.  The learning goal(s) for each session should be to gain a practical/working knowledge of each command within the Master Command Sets. The Entry-Level K-9 Trainer must complete forty-eight (48) K-9 Command Set Training Sessions. An Entry-Level K-9 Trainer must accomplish their forty-eight (48) K-9 Command Set Training Sessions utilizing at least six (6) different dogs.

• Academics Entry-Level K-9 Trainers must complete Academic Training Courses as required by  paws4prisons. Academic must be passed by the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer with a score of 90% or greater. Academic courses must be “proctored” by the paws4prisons_TM Program Manager, or his/her designated staff member or a designated inmate senior K-9 Trainer.

• Entry-Level Final Evaluation  Once an Entry-Level K-9 Trainer has completed all of the above, he/she shall be eligible for the Entry-Level Final Evaluation.  The Chief K-9 Trainer, paws4prisons_TM, shall determine which dog the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer will use for the Entry-Level Final Evaluation.  The Entry-Level K-9 Trainer, and the assigned dog, shall complete a “final” dog handling evaluation, under the direct supervision of the Chief K-9 Trainer.  Based on the sole, exclusive, and subjective opinion of the Chief K-9 Trainer, the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer shall pass or fail the Entry-Level Final Evaluation.  This evaluation will contain portions which demonstrate the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer’s knowledge of the materials covered in the Academic courses, and the Entry-Level K-9 Trainer dog handling abilities and knowledge of the command set.  Once an Entry-Level K-9 Trainer has completed all of the above, he/she may apply for Elevation to Apprentice K-9 Trainer status.  The Entry-Level K-9 Trainer shall be notified, that her request for elevation to Apprentice K-9 Trainer has been APPROVED or DISAPPROVED.   If the inmate’s request is approved he/she shall be given an interview date/time.  If the inmate’s request is disapproved, he/she shall be informed as to the reason for the disapproval.

• Apprentice K-9 Trainer Program An Apprentice K-9 Trainer becomes a “full-time” member of the paws4prisons_TM Program.  An Apprentice K-9 Trainer shall remain in this status for a minimum of three (3) calendar months.
• K-9 Command Set Training Sessions   The must complete thirty-six (36) K-9 Command Set Training Sessions utilizing at least two (2) different dogs.  Twenty-four (24) of these sessions shall be conducted with their Program Dog under the supervision of the K-9 Trainer or Senior K-9 Trainer.  The other twelve (12) sessions shall be conducted with a Senior K-9 Trainer, and that Senior K-9 Trainer’s Program Dog

• Academics  Apprentice K-9 Trainers must complete Academic Training Courses as required by  paws4prisons. Academic courses must be passed by the Apprentice K-9 Trainers with a score of 90% or greater. Academic courses must be “proctored” by the paws4prisons_TM Program Manager, or his/her designated staff member or a designated inmate senior K-9 Trainer.

• Apprentice Final Evaluation  Once an Apprentice K-9 Trainer has completed all of the above, he/she shall be eligible for the Apprentice K-9 Trainer Final Evaluation.  The Apprentice K-9 Trainer shall use the Program Dog to which he/she is assigned for the evaluation.    The Apprentice K-9 Trainer, and his/her Program Dog, shall complete a “final” dog handling evaluation, under the direct supervision of the Chief K-9 Trainer.  Based on the sole, exclusive, and subjective opinion of the Chief K-9 Trainer, the Apprentice K-9 Trainer shall pass or fail the Apprentice Final Evaluation.  This evaluation will contain portions which demonstrate the Apprentice K-9 Trainer’s knowledge of the materials cover in the academic, and the Apprentice K-9 Trainer dog handling abilities and knowledge of the command set.

• Elevation to K-9 Trainer Determination Process  Once an Apprentice K-9 Trainer has completed all of the above, he/she may apply for Elevation to K-9 Trainer status. The Apprentice K-9 Trainer must complete a 5-6 minute oral presentation describing what he/she has learned to date in the program, how the program has affected him/her to become a better person, and why he/she should be elevated to K-9 Trainer Status.  The interview shall be conducted under the direction of the senior paws4prisons Program staff.  If the inmate passes the K-9 Trainer interview process, he/she shall become a K-9 Trainer in the paws4prisons_TM Program.  If the inmate does NOT pass the K-9 Trainer interview process, the inmate will be notified that her elevation to a K-9 Trainer has not been accepted, and remedial training may be recommended.  (This remedial training shall be specifically designed to help the inmate correct her deficiencies which resulted in her NOT being elevated to K-9 Trainer status).

• The K-9 Trainer Program  A K-9 Trainer shall remain in this status for a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive months.  During the 12 moths the inmate must read The SMAREST DOG, by Dr. Bonnie Bergin and produce an original, 5-page “book report.”  The report shall be reviewed by and receive the approval of the Chief K-9 Trainer, paws4prisons_TM.   Once a K-9 Trainer has completed the above, he/she may apply for Elevation to Senior K-9 Trainer status, using the Request for Change in Status Form Once the above criteria has been met, he/she may apply for a Senior K-9 Trainer Position.

• Elevation to Senior K-9 Trainer Determination Process  The inmate must apply for Senior status.  If the inmate’s request is approved he/she shall be given an interview date/time.  If the inmate’s request is disapproved, he/she shall be informed as to the reason for the disapproval.  The Senior K-9 Trainer interview panel shall consist of a minimum of two persons NOT directly associated with the paws4prisons_TM Program, the paws4prisons_TM Program Manager and/or the Executive Director, paws4people_TM.   The paws4prisons_TM Program Manager shall direct the interview and use the following criteria derived from the Senior K-9 Trainer interview of the inmate, as his/her basis for accepting/rejecting the inmate’s elevation to Senior K-9 Trainer status:

• Inmate’s general appearance; i.e. clean uniform worn within USPH/SFF standards, general personal hygiene, etc.
• Inmate’s personal presence and/or demeanor.
• Inmate’s ability to answer questions as posed by the interview panel.
• Inmate’s performance during time period as a K-9 Trainer.
• Inmate’s 5-6 minute oral presentation describing what he/she has learned to date in the program, how the program has affected her to become a better person, and why he/she should be elevated to Senior K-9 Trainer status.
• Subjective opinion as to the inmate’s potential abilities to perform the tasks necessary to become a successful Senior K-9 Trainer in the paws4prisons_TM Program.

• The interview shall be conducted under the direction of the senior paws4prisons_TM Program staff member present during the interview.  If the inmate passes the Senior K-9 Trainer interview process, he/she shall become a Senior K-9 Trainer in the paws4prisons_TM Program.  If the inmate does NOT pass the Senior K-9 Trainer interview process, the inmate will be notified that her elevation to a Senior K-9 Trainer has not been accepted.  At this point the Training interview panel can select two options:

• Removal of the inmate from the paws4prisons_TM Program, or recommend remedial training for the inmate.  (This remedial training shall be specifically designed to help the inmate correct her deficiencies which resulted in her NOT being elevated to Senior K-9 Trainer status).

• The Senior K-9 Trainer Program  A Senior K-9 Trainer is expected to take a leadership role in the conduct of the paws4prisons_TM Program.  A Senior K-9 Trainer’s primary responsibility is to ensure the effective, efficient and safe training of the K-9 directly assigned to the Senior Trainer, and also the effective, efficient and safe training of all Program K-9s.  A Senior K-9 Trainer is also expected to provide “mentoring” to all inmate trainers, Entry-Level K-9 Trainers, Apprentice K-9 Trainers, and K-9 Trainers within the Program.  Failure to demonstrate effective and beneficial mentoring practices, K-9 training and/or academic training to Program members, shall be reason for consideration for removal from the Senior K-9 Trainer status.   A Senior K-9 Trainer shall also be assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the paws4prisons_TM Program Manager.   Upon elevation to the Senior K-9 Trainer status, the inmate shall be awarded the following paws4people_TM K-9 Training Institute Certification:

Certified K-9 Trainer: Advanced Obedience