Military Officer - December 2008 - (Page 65) WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU Do you think having military inmates train service dogs is a good use of prison resources? Let us know at www.moaa .org/discussion. Click on Pups With a Purpose. Members without Internet access may call (800) 234-MOAA (6622). Hairston isn’t picky about the breeds selected for service training; age and temperament, he says, are the most important qualities. Golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, and Australian shepherds just happen to make up the majority, because they are sturdy animals with gentle personalities and learn quickly. The selection process for the inmates involved in the program is comprehensive and falls to brig social worker Becky Warden. She first determines whether an inmate has enough time remaining on his or her sentence to complete the training program. Then she ensures the inmate doesn’t have a history of violent behavior or harming animals. “I look for inmates with a fairly patient, tolerant attitude, because this program is 24 hours a day,” she says. “I don’t really care why they’re here. I’m more concerned about their affinity for and history with animals. I know the prisoners pretty well, because I oversee all of the rehabilitation groups, so it’s not too hard to say, ‘This is a good one.’ ” According to Warden, the program has resulted in a noticeable boost in the self-esteem of the inmates inPHOTOS/IMAGES: TKTK volved. “We have some veterans of the Iraq War who have PTSD, and this has been very therapeutic for them in their treatment process,” she notes. “They will bring the dogs to the treatment group, and that’s good because the other men in the group also get something from seeing the dogs. And, of course, the dogs get a lot of loving and petting, so it’s very beneficial in a lot of ways.” Nolan agrees. “When [inmates] get into a program like this, their attitude improves,” he observes. “They are more positive because of what they’re doing. They have a great purpose in life, and I think the final goal of giving a dog to a wounded Marine gives them pride.” The program makes inmatetrainers’ stay behind bars more tolerable. “The dogs have a calming effect and make the days a little easier to get through,” says Mitch, an Using inmate-trainers helps make more service dogs available to disabled servicemembers. inmate who gave up his prison job as a cook to train service dogs. “The dogs make my time here easier, because I have someone who can reciprocate the love I’m giving it,” adds Mark, who is scheduled to be released in April 2009. “Roxy makes me happy, and she makes me laugh. When I get into a bad mood, I play with her, and it all goes away.” Not surprisingly, the inmates become quite attached to their canine companions. To help ease the transition, the dogs are rotated between teams approximately every 90 days. But it still is difficult to say goodbye when the time comes, the trainers say. “It’s going to hurt, I know that,” admits Mark. “But what will make it easier is knowing that Roxy will be making someone’s life better. I believe that whoever gets this dog will be eternally grateful for her. She’s going to add years to that Marine’s life.” MO MONTH 2005 MILITARY OFFICER 65 http://www.moaa.org/discussion http://www.moaa.org/discussion
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