Behind Bars

bayareagreyhounds.org

                                                                  

                                                                                           Helping each other

                                                                                           behind bars,

                                                                                           Making new lives

                                                                                           together.

greyhoundfriendsnj.org

The greyhounds’ calm nature and impressive demeanor, in addition to their easy lovability, make them an asset in countless ways.  As adopters, we know how much they contribute to our lives.  But some greyhounds take a side trip before they even get to us.  This little spin gives them a step up and also helps someone to learn a life lesson.  That side trip is a stint in prison. 

Numerous greyhound rescues partner with their state’s Department of Corrections to set up mutually beneficial programs in correction facilities.  This joint association not only encourages the adoptability of greyhounds but also supports and promotes the rehabilitation of inmates.  Greyhound Friends of NJ has been involved in this type of program since 2002.  Kiowa, my present male grey, had come from such a prison program when we adopted him.  We like to say that we “sprung him”, but actually he was cared for and loved there.

Augusto F. Menezes/Staff Photographer

Many of these programs have developed across the country.   Greyhound Friends of New Jersey works with Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale, New Jersey which houses young male offenders aged 18 to 26.  Other rescues are affiliated with programs that work with incarcerated adult men or women.  Most programs have a limit as to how many dogs they can accommodate. 

The prison programs choose inmates that are specially selected and have a desire to work with animals.  These inmates know that to remain in the program depends on their continuing efforts toward positive outcomes for themselves and their dogs.  Two handlers are assigned to each greyhound, a primary handler and a back up handler plus several trainees.  Most programs run for 6 to 8 weeks, and during that time, the greyhounds sleep with the inmates and learn their basic commands such as heel, sit, lie down, stay, come on recall, etc.  The inmates are also responsible for grooming, clipping nails, brushing teeth, cleaning ears and administering medications.

prisongreyhounds.org

The Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions group out of the Tampa Bay/Ft Myers/Naples areas in Florida is in partnership with the Greyhound Advancement Center and another rescue, Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions.  Together they sponsor a program in which trained inmates at Hardee Correctional institution Work Camp (HCI) work with the greyhounds.  These inmates receive extensive information on care and training and have even named their program, “Hardee Hero Hounds”.  

Augusto F. Menezes/Staff Photographer

Many of the greyhounds who have graduated from these 8 week programs will be able to meet the requirements of Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification.  Some of these dogs will also have learned the skills necessary to become a Certified Therapy Dog.  So if you feel that therapy is something that you would like to do with your grey, asking if the rescue is involved with a prison program may be advantageous.

Prison programs not only permit track greyhounds a soft landing between what they knew and what their new life will be, but gives them confidence to face the next step on their journeys, their forever homes.  These programs help the greyhound learn new skills in a loving albeit temporary setting that will ease them into their permanent home.  

greyhoundfriendsnj.org

In addition to all the positives of servicing our greyhounds, other beneficial results come out of these programs.  The tranquil manner of the greyhound brings with it a calming effect to the prison.  Both inmates that work with the greys as well as those who do not, feel this calm.  It even extends to the staff.  The inmates who handle and love the greyhounds become remade.  These programs teach responsibility for another creature and the joy found in accomplishing a goal well done.  A close bond is formed in the short time that the handlers work with their greyhounds.  When the dog graduates from the program, it is a graduation also for them.  It is difficult when their dog must leave, but a new dog arrives, and they begin the cycle again.  

prisongreyhounds.org

In some cases, the men and women find that working with animals is what they want to do after their incarceration.  Some prisons train their inmates so well, they can be certified as dog trainers upon leaving, building confidence, becoming self-sustaining and giving back to society.  What a wonderful outcome for both greyhound and inmate! 

It is unusual in life to find such a win-win situation for both the greyhound, unsure and afraid, and an inmate, possibly facing his own insecurities.  This program builds up both greyhound and human with confidence learned, love given and received, and hope restored for a new life.

The resources below are but a few of the rescues that participate in some type of prison program.  

Resources:

Greyhound Friends of NJ;  greyhoundfriendsnj.org; Prison Program

Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions;  bayareagreyhounds.org; Prison Trained Greyhounds

American Greyhound; americangreyhound.org;  TGIE Prison Greyhound Rescue Program