Meet Zane: The Pup Who Got a 2nd Chance, Thanks to Incarcerated Dog Trainers
Zane is an adoptable Border Collie x Australian Cattle Dog mix who recently graduated from the Paws in Prison program where he solidified all his basic commands, was crate trained, and learned an impressive number of tricks. The Paws in Prison Arkansas program is an obedience training program run by the Arkansas Department of Corrections in collaboration with a handful of local animal shelters and rescues.
“The Arkansas Paws in Prison program pairs inmate trainers with rescue dogs for eight to ten weeks of obedience training and socialization in preparation for adoption,” says the Arkansas DOC. “Prior to graduating from the program, each dog must pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizens Ready test.” Zane was paired with an incarcerated individual at the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, and his trainer helped set this super-smart boy up for success.
Zane had a forever family lined up after graduating from the Paws in Prison program, but the resident dog in that home didn’t get along with Zane. Finally, Zane has found a forever family, and they are already enjoying the benefits of a super-smart dog who is already trained thanks to the amazing work of his incarcerated trainer and the Paws in Prison program.
Meet Zane—A Super-Smart Border Collie Finds a Home
Zane is only 10 months old but already knows all his basic commands and more than a handful of tricks. Previously in the care of Stone County Humane Society in Mountain View, Arkansas, Zane graduated from the Arkansas Department of Corrections Paws in Prison program earlier this year and is ready to find a forever family.
A medium-sized Border Collie x Australian Cattle Dog mix, Zane is very smart and energetic. Zane does well with other dogs and loves kids, making him a great option for an active, young family. Zane is still unsure about cats, but he could learn to co-exist with one with the proper introduction. Zane also loves water and swimming and would love a family that can take him on regular aquatic adventures.
Thankful, Zane has been adopted! Someone saw how amazing he is, and now they’ll get to enjoy life with a dog who was set up for success by a prison training program. While Zane no longer needs a home, you can find Arkansas Paws in Prison available dogs on the Arkansas DOC website.
What Are Prison Dog Training Programs?
Programs like the program Zane came from in Arkansas, Paws in Prison, are relatively common with more than 200 prison pet partnerships in the US currently. Prison programs with dogs serve two major purposes. First, prison training programs for dogs give dogs who might struggle to be adopted a better chance at finding a forever home by equipping them with social skills, obedience training, and confidence building. Second, prison pet partnership programs give incarcerated individuals participating in the program a chance to work with animals, enjoy companionship, and make a difference in their communities.
Prison dog training programs offer incarcerated participants the chance to learn “increased willingness and ability to cooperate and engage positively in team-settings, increased ability to tolerate, experience, and express emotional discomfort in a constructive manner, [and] increased awareness of the needs and emotional states of self and others,” according to the Marley’s Mutts Pawsitive Change program. Dog training programs exist in all types of prisons, including maximum security prisons.
Paws With A Purpose Louisville, KY, also points out that prison dog training programs “gives the inmates the chance to learn job skills, such as training and grooming. The program also provides personal growth such as patience, communication and writing skills as well as the ability to work well with a team. Combined, all of these will assist them with reintegration back into the community. It also provides them the opportunity to give back to society.”
Here are other adoptable dogs who have graduated from prison programs and are very well trained so would make excellent pets.
Trevor and Kaylyn graduated from the Mostly Mutts Prison Pups Program in Georgia.
Oliver, Disco, and Fancy graduated from the DASH Animal Rescue prison program.
All of these dogs have been adopted, likely in part thanks to being well-trained and socialized by dedicated incarcerated handlers. Prison dog training programs like these can be lifesaving for abused, abandoned, and nervous dogs.
What Do Dogs Learn in Prison Dog Programs?
Dogs that enter prison training programs are paired with individuals serving time in correctional institutions. Positions in prison programs for dog training are coveted amongst incarcerated individuals, and many of these programs have stringent requirements for participants that wish to be involved. Incarcerated dog handlers must follow specific guidelines to remain in the program, and often dedicate the majority of their time to training dogs.
Some prison dog training programs focus on companion animals, while others offer training for working dogs and assistance dogs. Some programs—like the Puppies Behind Bars charity (founded by Gloria Gilbert Stoga in 1997), Paws For Life K9 Rescue, and Paws With Purpose—even specialize in training service dogs for veterans and other people with disabilities. Veterans can work with Puppies Behind Bars adoption experts to be matched with a dog that offers companionship and life-saving services for psychiatric and physical disabilities.
Dogs that graduate prison training programs receive intensive one-on-one attention from their assigned handler and are house trained, taught basic obedience and social skills to give them everything they need to find a forever family.
How To Learn More About Prison Dog Training Programs
Several interesting documentaries covering prison dog training programs exist, including the Dogs On The Inside documentary.
“Dogs on the Inside follows the relationships between abused stray dogs and prison inmates working towards a second chance at a better life. In an attempt to re-build their confidence and prepare for a new life outside, these prisoners must first learn to handle and care for a group of neglected strays,” says the Dogs On The Inside movie website. If you’re interested in Dogs On The Inside, watch the full movie for free on Peacock.
You can also learn more by volunteering for, donating to, or working with prison dog training programs in your area.
Prison Program for Dogs FAQ
Have more questions about prison programs for dog training? Here’s what other dog lovers like you are asking.
How can I volunteer with prison dog training programs near me?
A simple Google search should help you find plenty of prison dog training programs in your area. Many prisons offer these programs, and many nonprofits work with multiple prisons in their region. For example, Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) works with seven prisons throughout New York State.
Once you find a program, you can view their volunteer opportunities including overnight caregiving to dogs in prison programs, daytime dog sitting, and fostering.
How can people adopt dogs from prison dog training programs?
Once you locate a prison dog training program in your region, finding adoptable dogs is fairly simple. Programs will list adoptable dogs that have graduated on their websites, and many state department of corrections groups will also list adoptable dogs on their websites.
