Prison Dog Programs Help Change Lives

When we can give back something to our world, no matter how terrible our own life has been, then we are a part of society that is trying to make a difference. I founded the prison dog program back in 1981 with no money, just a vision finding people in the community that wanted to help without knowing that the concept would spread all over the world, helping many organizations, the disabled, the dogs and society. To see the success of the program taught me that it doesn't matter what degree we have or do not have, it matters more how much we care about others and the dedication we have to make this work. Not easy but possible to help change lives through the unconditional love of a dog, giving everyone involved a purpose. CLICK HERE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDU2fA_LBKs&feature=youtu.be

 

 CALIFORNIA INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN

 

Sometimes it is hard to do these programs but if you make the effort

many people will find purpose, meaning, courage and joy and they will

take that with them when they leave the institution.

 

 

 

PATHWAYS OF COURAGE PRISON DOG PROGRAM

 

This program is no longer under the Bridges and Pathways of Courage non profit organization..Sr Pauline Quinn

October 20, 2015

 

Wisconsin Inmates at Oshkosh Correctional Institution training PTSD dogs to assist Victims of Crime and Veterans Who live in Wisconsin 

 

Bria, the first puppy for the Pathways of Courage prison dog program, helping wounded Vets and Victims of Crime who have PTSD.

 

 

 

After many years of wanting to help people who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Judy Smith, the Warden of Oshkosh Correctional in Wisconsin has agreed that the Pathways of Courage team can start planning their program.   The inmates will  train dogs for  specific skills to help those traumatized, through war, crime, other types of trauma.

 

The inmates are excited about helping people who have this type of disability.  We are starting a web page and a blog to further help society understand Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and to show you in pictures in what we are trying to accomplish.

 

Having inmates giving back to victims of crime is a huge acknowledgement that they want to give back  to help others.  The inmates and staff are excited about  helping  the Veterans coming back from war that have developed this brain based disorder, which sometimes disrupts their life forever.

 

Here are the pictures of three new puppies that are coming to the program...  we are very excited that they have been donated to us.  Abe and Abel Standard Poodles by Kathy Esio-King Jacknic Standard Poodles in Michigan and Bria from  Lindsay Chlopek of Grandville German Shepherds from Illinois. Thank you so much.  We are so excited.

ACE

ABEL

 

 

 



 

Donations to help us, sponsor a dog in training, grooming and training supplies are needed and if anyone can help, please contact:

 

Sister Pauline Quinn
srpauline@bpofcourage.org

Bridges and Pathways of Courage
1230 10th Ave

Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304




PAX,
THE FIRST DOG TRAINED
BY THE
OSHKOSH INMATES FOR
PATHWAYS OF COURAGE

 

 

We are a non profit 501 c/3 organization  Bridges and Pathways of Courage  http://www.bpofcourage.org  

I helped New Horizons Service dogs in Florida start this wonderful program. I thank Janet Sevet for all her hard work to keep this wonderful program going.

Pawsitive Dog prison training program

This lovely speech was shared by one of our inmate handlers today at our graduation ceremony. He shared it with me, so I can share it with you: "What the Dog Program Has Done For Me" "I've been incarcerated for over 4 decades - 41 years straight. The person that I started out doing this bid as, and the person I've

evolved into are not the same. I can honestly say that the many years or more have really changed my life and my view on the type of person I was and what I've changed into. And a lot of it has to do with this dog training program. Although seeing the first hands-on training, the responsibility of helping another life force that's basically no different than me in regards to the fact that they are fighting for a second chance, just like me!! My demeanor as a person has greatly turned for the better since my entering the dog handlers training program. Through the experience and studying, it's caused me to re-think my philosophies and attitudes toward animals and my fellow man. So I can say honestly that this program has been a big influence on the change in my life. I consider it an honor and a privilege to have been worthy of the chance to participate with smaller breeds of dogs. I plan to continue to work with dogs when I get released - which is in 22 days. I will close with a few words of wisdom. Criminality is a state of mind. A barred window through which we see the world. Change your frame of mind and everything changes. Not just the view of the world, but the one who views it. That is what the dog program has done for me. Power to the paw!!"

Guardian Angel Prison Dog Program

Mabel Bassett Correctional Center~ McLoud, OK 74851

Modeled after the first prison dog program started by Sister Pauline Quinn at a Washington state prison in 1981, the Guardian Angel K-9 Training Program at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center (“MBCC”) in McLoud, Oklahoma, got its start with three dogs in January 2014.

Oklahoma incarcerates more women per capita than any other state, and most of those women were neglected and abused before they were locked up. The Guardian Angel K-9 Training Program pairs such women with rescued dogs that have also been neglected and/or abused, and the results have been remarkable. Ladies who were once affection-starved, distrustful, guarded, and vulnerable have become open, loving, and self-assured. Simply put, the program’s participants have blossomed like a rose.

What’s more, the Guardian Angel Program’s positive impact has spread to other inmates at MBCC. The program is located in the prison’s medical unit, where the most physically and mentally impaired inmates are housed. Program participants often take their dogs to visit with those women, and whereas there was once an overwhelming spirit of sadness and depression among them, those ladies actually smile and laugh out loud all because of the dogs’ love. It’s amazing!

As of October 2014, the Guardian Angel Program has grown to include seven dogs, seven trainers, and seven assistant handlers. The program has saved and changed the lives of many inmates and dogs alike.



Holy Father giving Sister Pauline a kiss and she gave him a Kiss



PRISON TRAINED DOG PAX WHO WAS TRAINED AT OSHKOSH CORRECTIONAL IN WISCONSIN AND WASHINGTON STATE CORRECTIONAL IN WASHINGTON STATE WENT TO THE VATICAN AND MET THE HOLY FATHER.  THE INMATES DID A GOOD JOB WITH HIM.


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Sister Pauline's visit to the Huellas Prison Dog program ~ Argentina









HUELLAS DE ESPERANZA ~ Prison Dog Program ~ARGENTINA Interview with Sister Pauline in English with Spanish Subtitles

CIW PATHWAYS TO HOPE HELPS BRING HOPE TO DOGS AND INMATES

PATHWAYS TO HOPE is giving back helping the youth in Juvenile Hall, men in jail and women in the California Institution for Women. http://www.pathwaystohope.org

NORTH CENTRAL CORRECTIONAL MASSACHUSETTS PRISON DOG PROGRAM

PRISONERS TRAINING GREYHOUNDS

PRISONERS TRAINING DOGS WITH BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

The Jail Dogs of Gwinnett County ~OPPERATION SECOND CHANCE

CASTAWAYS ~ INMATES SAVING LIVES

CATS IN PRISON

INMATES CARING FOR SHELTER DOGS

JAIL DOGS IN 1C

ARGENTINA PRISON DOG PROGRAMS

Argentina is a leader in helping inmates change their lives by providing programs that bring about change. One of these programs is  Huellas De Esperanza, a wonderful program in the Argentina prison.

They are working to start several programs in their prisons, giving the inmates a chance to give something back to the community by training a service dog for the handicapped or saving unwanted dogs.

The program is operated by the Argentina Penitentiary Service and inspired by Dr Romero, a famous Argentina Veterinarian and humanitarian who also has a television and radio shows. 

What is unique about this prison program is the desire that the Argentina Government wants Huellas De Esperanza  to be a success, hoping many inmates return to the community to find a new and useful pathways for their lives because they learned something positive in this program that will help their lives forever. 

PROGRAMAS DE PERROS EN PRISION EN ARGENTINA

Argentina es líder en ayudar a internos/as a cambiar sus vidas desarrollando programas que traen aparejados cambios. Uno de estos programas es Huellas de Esperanza, un maravilloso programa en penales argentinos.

Están trabajando para implementar varios programas en sus penales, ofreciendo a los internos/as la oportunidad de devolver algo a la comunidad adiestrando perros de servicio para ser entregados a personas con capacidades diferentes o rescatando perros sin hogar.

El programa es llevado a cabo por el Servicio Penitenciario Federal Argentino e inspirado por el Dr. Romero, un famoso y humanitario Médico Veterinario Argentino quién también tiene programas de televisión y radio.

Lo que hace único a este programa en prisión es que el Gobierno Argentino desea que Huellas de Esperanza sea un éxito, esperando lograr que muchos internos/as regresen a la sociedad para encontrar caminos nuevos y útiles para sus vidas, porque aprendieron algo positivo en este programa que les ayudará en sus vidas por siempre.

I was presented with this honorary Title of "officer" of the Argentina Federal Penitentiary Service and I feel thankful for their kindness to me.

 

A NEW VIDEO WAS MADE ABOUT MY TRIP TO ARGENTINA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs40iRBKxAY&feature=youtube_gdata_player