Golden ‘Puppies Behind Bars’

Sep

posted in In the News

What ever could a Golden Retriever puppy do to deserve time behind bars? Well, it’s not what they did, but what these special puppies will do. The Puppies Behind Bars program was created by Gloria Gilbert Stoga after she herself learned what work and cost was involved in preparing a service dog to be paired with its owner. After much research she thought it would be a wonderful idea to have inmates train the puppies preparing them for their upcoming lifelong jobs. It was a perfect match since the inmates were able to spend the needed time with the puppies. Puppies Behind Bars trains inmates to raise puppies to not only become become service dogs for the disabled and guide dogs for the blind, they also train explosive detection canines for law enforcement.

Take a minute to learn more about this wonderful program by checking out Beth Quinn’s article, writer for the Times Herald-Record, and enjoy the pictures below from Mike Rice for the Times Herald-Record.

15-month-old Kaplan relaxes as his inmate trainer, Edwin Montalvo, gives him a massage. The dogs are treated to a head and neck massage three times a day.

15-month-old Cooper responds to a series of commands from his inmate trainer, Jerry Cruz, who directs the dog to pick up an ID card off the floor. The dogs are trained to handle money and credit cards to assist a disabled person with purchases.

Remy, a 7-month-old Labrador retriever, enjoys a smooch from her inmate trainer, Robert Wigfall. Remy is the third dog Wigfall has trained in the program.

The Puppies Behind Bars dogs are trained to remain relaxed and calm in the midst of noise and activity.

15-month-old Fred spends 24 hours a day with his inmate trainer, Jason Partlow.

At 13 weeks old, Stetson is the baby in the Puppies Behind Bars program at Otisville State Correctional Facility. During the next two years, the golden retriever will be trained by inmate Oscar Soto for eventual placement as a service dog for a disabled person.

The Puppies Behind Bars program is in great need of people willing to take a dog out on regular furloughs. A four-hour training course will be offered in August and September for those willing and interested. To volunteer (or make a donation - money is always needed), call 212-680-9562 or visit http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/.