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Puppies in Prison UpdateWelcome to the first update of Puppies in Prison (PIP). As many of you will be aware, the Trust (in conjunction with the Department of Corrections) launched Puppies in Prisons in July 2008. I am pleased to report that the first formal Corrections review of this pilot has been received and indications are that New Zealand’s first programme of this type, as evidenced in similar projects overseas, has all the hallmarks of success – both from a rehabilitative perspective and realising the potential for highly trained service dogs ready to be placed into the community.
Vicky Turner, our Canine Manager, visits the prison twice a week to work with the prisoners and their dogs. Vicky reports that she is delighted with the progress both the puppies and the handlers are making, "I see an attitude change happening with the prisoners…going from ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ do this… if they (the prisoners) have a ‘can do’ attitude so then will the dogs.” The women handlers are with their puppies 24/7 – they are totally responsible for all of their care, handling and training. All the dogs in the prison at present are making significant progress – well in advance of where we would expect them to be. Recently Amy, ‘Bonnie’ and myself attended an event at the prison which provided people like Barry Matthews (Corrections CEO) and Judith Collins (Minister of Corrections) an opportunity to see for themselves what rehabilitative programmes such as the PIP programme are all about. The handlers and dogs were able to demonstrate their new skills to a much appreciative audience. It also gave the prisoner handlers an opportunity to talk to Amy about what it is really like to have a service dog and what it means to the disabled community, therefore putting in context all their efforts to train the dogs. Thanks to Barb and Lou - what would we have done without you? Barb and Lou (prison managers) were roped in recently when Mobility Dogs were out and about in the community supporting the launch of Pet Pac’s ‘Fin City’ in South Auckland. Little did they know when they ventured into their local community on a quiet Sunday afternoon that the Mobility Dogs team were swamped with requests for sausages and couldn’t cope. Didn’t take a moment for them to roll their sleeves up, muck in and help out.
If you have any queries about Puppies in Prisons please contact me: Jody Hogan – jody.hogan@mobilitydogs.co.nz – happy to discuss any aspect the programme. Keep an eye out in the newsletters from now on for updates. Also watch out for the article in 'North and South' (June 2009 edition) for the article on Puppies in Prisons.
Posted: Fri 01 May 2009 |
© Copyright 2008 | Mobility Assistance Dogs Trust | Registered Charitable Trust CC24410 | New Zealand
The women handlers in the prison are totally dedicated and committed to the programme, working hard to ensure their young charges are reaching all their training milestones and beyond. “I now make an effort not to get into confrontations with anyone because I am responsible for my puppy and I really want this to work out.” Similarly, another prisoner communicated that it was, “an honour to have a puppy and I don’t want to let myself down, the prison, my puppy or Mobility Dogs." 
