Hello #SussexSquad as you all know #DukeandDuchessofSussex Meghan highlighted 15 organizations as #ForcesForChange. Throughout August we will share more information about each charity and provide links in hopes that you all will check them out and hopefully donate/support these incredible causes. Thanks- T&Mđź’•
The eleventh organization we are highlighting is Pawsitive Change Program !!
Pawsitive Change is a progressive, proactive rehabilitation program, inside California State Prisons, which pairs dogs from death row shelters with inmates in state custody.
The goal of their program is twofold:
1. To affect positive change in all whom are involved–inmates, dogs, correctional officers, trainers, observing public–using a combination of the human-canine bond, empathy and emotional honesty and
2. Transform our student-inmates into pet industry professionals who can be hired or start their own business immediately after leaving prison!
Their student-inmates have a lot to offer these dogs, and vice versa, allowing both to rehabilitate, alongside one another, providing for a greater chance at successful outcome for the dogs and inmates.
The day-to-day function of this program is to have each set of inmates guide, coach and train their dog through mastery of the Canine Good Citizen Certification, no small feat I can assure you.
In the process, they will work towards their own certificate of training proficiency and application, reflecting the tangible vocational training they have participated in, which will help them find gainful employment once they are released.
For 14 weeks, the dogs live, train, and sleep inside the walls of the penitentiary, under the primary care of our inmates, as they strive towards certification and comprehension of dog psychology.
Roughly 30 men and 10 dogs, of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and age, compose each round of training. They spend an average of 13 hours a day with their dogs and share the responsibility among themselves.
At the end of 14 weeks of training, each student will have accrued hundreds of hours of training and handling under his belt.
Not all of their students want to work in the pet industry, but those who do will have the tools. Any inmate who applies themselves in this program will have tools to succeed at life in general, not just as a dog handler and energy reader.
This is true anti recidivism, true prison reform! Help them get there! And by there, I mean everywhere!
#SussexSquad read more here www.marleysmutts.org/pawsitivechange/
Image by Marley Mutts/Pawsitive
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