New Leash On Life: A Win-Win For Homeless Dogs and Prison Inmates
By Shannon Collins | Posted on Monday, January 23rd, 2012
New Leash on Life is a new generation prison dog-training program that saves the lives of shelter dogs by training and socializing them to enhance their adoptability while helping inmates learn to train and care for dogs.
With this program, based on Animal Planet’s “Cell Dogs,” dogs live in the cells with their inmate trainers 24/7, making New Leash dogs highly desirable for adoption and ensuring the long-term success for both humans and dogs. New Leash on Life also provides scholarships for paroled inmates for additional training and education in the animal care field after they have graduated from the 11-week program. The socialized dogs are found new homes, the men learn new skills and find that their lives have meaning behind the walls, which has limitless benefits without costing the taxpayers a dime.
Romo
Big Ben
Yesterday marked the second “class” of six dogs—all named after NFL quarterbacks—who will be graduating and become available for adoption (the men will remain, most serving 11 1/2 to 23 month sentences). Almost all of the quarterback dogs have been adopted, with the exception of Romo and Big Ben. If you know of anyone in need of a friendly four-legged pooch, be sure to spread the word to help these guys find a forever home.
A new pack of dogs will enter the State Road prison at the end of February, making it a happy place for incarcerated men and homeless dogs alike. To find out how you can help, reach out to New Leash on Life USA.