In a New Mexico penitentiary, inmates and difficult dogs work together on education and socialization for a new life (for everyone). Thanks to the project, the risk of recidivism of inmates is reduced and many dogs have found adoption
@DAG SHIP Rescue – Deming Animal Guardians Sunshine Haven Intake Project/Facebook
There are many activities that can be organized in penitentiaries, but in a prison in southern New Mexico a wonderful program has been started that involves the inmates and the dogs that nobody wants. It is the Peeps to Pups e gives both of them a chance for redemption.
The association DAG SHIP RESCUE is carrying it out in the Las Cruces institute in collaboration with the agents of the Southern New Mexico Corrections Department. The initiative saw the participation of 8 inmates and dogs considered “difficult” to adopt, who are socialized and trained.
They are all very sensitive, fearful dogs, with past traumas and may be unmanageable or too demanding for future adoptive families. The goal is to help them overcome their fears, get them used to human contact, and teach them basic commands, such as obedience, tricks, walking on a leash, and more.
The proximity of dogs is in turn a therapy for the prisoners, who work on their personal growth, take on the responsibility of caring for another living being, rediscover compassion and sensitivity towards animals and the cruelties of which they are victims.
Through a positive relationship with the dog and cooperation between other companions, the initiative aims to reduce relapse of prisoners by promoting their reintegration into society.
The program is structured around an introductory course in dog training, after which inmates train their four-legged friends on their own for eight weeks. After that, four inmates are promoted to trainers, the other four to reserve trainers.
During training, dogs and inmates interact 24 hours a day. The dogs stay with the inmates in their cells, offering them affection, comfort and a sense of security. Inmates who have had good behavior for 6 months or 1 year can participate in the program, while those with a history of animal abuse or sexual offenses are excluded from the program.
The results so far have been very promising. The idea has been so well received that some inmates have organized a fundraiser to cover the costs and continue training the selected dogs.
All dogs that complete the training program are promoted in a ceremony and are ready to be adopted. Many have already found a home thanks to the association and the work done in prison.
Who knows, maybe it will be the ex-prisoners who participated in the Peeps to Pups to apply for their adoption.
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Source: Deming Animal Guardians
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