Program at Iowa Prison Gives Inmates and Shelter Dogs a Second Chance

The Fully Rescue Educational Development (FRED) Program pairs dogs from the PAW Animal Shelter in Fort Madison and inmates at the Mount Pleasant Correction Facility.

Inmates who show positive behavior are qualified to become handlers. Their task is to train the dogs from the shelter using techniques like those of Cesar Milan. The program is aimed at correcting the dogs’ behavioral problems so that they can be suitable for adoption.

One of the inmates named Darren was able to train 14 dogs since the FRED program was launched in 2017. He was able to train Syri, a dog which he described as “scared to death and wouldn't have anything to do with anybody.” Another inmate named Zach spoke emotionally of the relationship he developed with a brown male pitbull named Hooch. He says that Hooch is his saving grace.

Wright, one of the people who launched the program, said, "I think it has made a huge difference in the environment here. You see that happy talk and people are petting them, and it just brings a human touch back into the place."

Article and photo source: sfgate.com

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