SlammerDogZ Program

paws4prisons_TM
SlammerDogZ_TM

Program

paws4prisons_TM – SlammerDogZ_TM Program Description:

The PRIMARY and FOREMOST purpose of the paws4prisons_TM Program is to produce very highly and specifically trained Assistance Dogs, in support of the mission of Hearts-N-paws_TM. The Hearts-N-paws_TM mission is to acquire, train, place and conduct the follow-up case management for its Assistance Dogs that are placed with, or provide direct services to, individuals with physical, neurological, psychiatric and/or emotional disabilities.

paws4prisons_TM is a collaborative effort between the federal women’s prison, USP Hazelton, and paws4people_TM foundation of West Virginia and the Human Animal Bond, Inc., both of Morgantown, WV; both of which are public charities with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status under IRS Code section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi).

The Program also utilizes the assistance, cooperation and/or participation of the staff, students and/or faculties of the West Virginia University’s Center for Civic Engagement and the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences, Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

The paws4prisons_TM Program obtains specifically selected dogs that are screened for personality, disposition, temperament, and trainability. These dogs are then trained to perform as Service Dogs or Educational Assistance K-9 Dogs, for utilization in “Special” education classrooms, providing services for individuals with physical, neurological, psychiatric and/or emotional disabilities.

This training is conducted by carefully selected and trained minimum security female inmates at USP Hazelton, Bruceton Mills, WV. These inmates work under the supervision and guidance of the staffs of the paws4people_TM foundation of West Virginia and the Hearts of Gold_TM Service Dogs.

Service Dogs – Assistance Dogs specially trained to enable the disabled and handicapped to lead more independent lives by performing tasks that the person otherwise could not, or would have extreme difficulty doing for him/herself. The Private Placement Candidates [PPC] of these dogs are generally confined to a wheelchair. These dogs are trained within our Hearts of Gold_TM Program.

Rehabilitative Assistance Dogs – Assistance Dogs specially trained to assist patients in their recovery from severe injury and/or psychological trauma such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]. These dogs assist Occupational Therapists [OT], Physical Therapists [PT], and/or Mental Health Therapists in their treatment of the patients, aiding in, and in some case speeding up their recovery. These dogs are trained within our Hearts of Gold_TM Program.

Companion/Therapy Dogs – Dogs generally obtained from “pounds,” shelters or “rescue” groups which are then trained to perform at the “basic” obedience level. Once these dogs reach this level of training they are generally placed with “Spouseless Seniors” providing life enhancing companionship. These dogs are trained within our BestFriends_TM Program.

Community Dogs – Dogs generally obtained from “pounds,” shelters or “rescue” groups which are then trained to perform at the “basic” obedience level. Once these dogs reach this level of training they are generally returned to the “pound,” shelter or “rescue” group for adoptive placement. The training provided significantly increases the dogs’ chances of being successfully adopted and remaining in its adoptive home. This significantly decreases the possibility of the dog being euthanized. These dogs are trained within our BestFriends_TM Program.

As each of these dogs complete their training regimen, and receive their appropriate certifications, they will be placed into service as:

• a Hearts of Gold_TM “Service Dog” or “Rehabilitative Assistance Dog” placed with a specifically selected individual with physical, neurological, psychiatric and/or emotional disabilities,

• a BestFriends_TM Companion/Therapy Dog or Community Dog placed with a “Spouseless Senior” providing life enhancing companionship, or returned to the “pound”, shelter or “rescue” group for adoptive placement. The training provided significantly increases the dogs’ chances of being successfully adopted and remaining in its adoptive home. This significantly decreases the possibility of the dog being euthanized.

Dogs that participate in and graduate from the paws4prisons_TM Program are affectionately referred to as SlammerDogZ_TM.

The SECONDARY purpose of the paws4prisons_TM Program is to function as a educational / training program for selected Federal inmates at the US Penitentiary – Hazelton, Bruceton Mills, WV. The program will be offered at: the SFF, for medium-security female inmates, and the FPC, for low-security male inmates.

This program provides the inmates with;

• The opportunity to learn and experience the K-9 / Human bond; based on unconditional love and acceptance, and,

• The opportunity to gain variable post-prison marketable job skills, obtain professional certifications [dog trainer, kennel master, etc.], self-discipline, a work-ethic and on-the-job experience, all aimed at increasing the inmates chances for successful employment upon their release from prison. [Other similar programs have realized remarkable reductions in recidivism rates.]

Inmate Selection Criteria for Participation in the Program

Inmate positions within the program will be made known to the general inmate population. Inmates will be selected based on an application process. Inmates must accomplish an application and produce a short resume, and thereby apply for each available inmate position. Inmates will be selected for initial interviews for each position based upon a review of their application and resume, in conjunction with the following criteria:

Inmate possesses a GED or higher level of education, or is within six months of completing of their GED upon their entry into the Program. [Note: Successful completion of the GED within six months of entering the Program is required to remain in the Program.]

Inmate has NO:

history of animal or child abuse, and,
history of the use of a firearm.

Obtain clearance by the USPH, counseling, educational and psychological departments.

Inmate must successfully complete the interview process. The final interview shall consist of a panel of USP personnel along with at least one, or no more than three, representative(s) of paws4people_TM foundation and/or the Human Animal Bond, Inc.

Inmates selected for participation in the Program shall have a minimum of two years remaining in their sentence.