Puppy Days show off new tricks
North Central Correctional Facility holds event Sunday afternoonBy ANGELA BURCH Messenger staff writer
Article Photos
ROCKWELL CITY - The North Central Correctional Facility went to the dogs on Sunday.
The seventh annual puppy days event showcased 36 handlers and their pooches Sunday afternoon on the prison grounds. The inmates demonstrated the skills they teach the dogs to a crowd of roughly 350 people.
"The inmates are paired up with a dog and that dog stays with them 24 hours a day seven days a week. The dog accompanies them to their work assignments on grounds, to puppy class, to the visiting center, to medical appointments, to meals in the dining hall - everywhere they can go, they do," said Julie Sexton, dog program coordinator for the correctional facility.
The breeds that are typically picked for the leader dog training are retrievers and German shepherds, Sexton said. Once an inmate has been selected to participate in the program, he is assigned a dog to take care of and work with.
"It's really helped me out," said dog-handler Steve Clark. "It's a little therapy to have something to love and love you back."
This year's theme was "Spirit of America," Sexton said.
Red, white and blue streamers and balloons decorated the multi-purpose center on the prison grounds. The drills were choreographed to live music and the dogs demonstrated their keen obedience skills.
"All of the red, white and blue bandannas and all the other costumes are made by the guys. We have sewing machines and they put together the colorful bandannas," Sexton said.
Puppy Days is an event to give the sponsors of the dogs a chance to see what their money is going to, Sexton said, and the inmates gave the crowd a show which received several standing ovations.
"It gives you a whole different outlook on life," said Laurence Lewis, one of the puppy helpers. "I like the dedication that the dog gives you and you give the dog. You understand each other."
The leader dog program was formed in 2002 when Lieutenant Ray Halterman of the facility initiated a relationship with with Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, Mich. The dogs are brought to the facility when they are around eight weeks old. The inmates become the dog handlers and teach the dogs basic commands such as sit, stay, come, heel and expected behavior, Sexton said.
As the dog gets older, the skills get more challenging. The dogs are returned to Michigan when they're one year old, where they undergo medical and training criteria evaluations to see whether or not they will move on to advanced training to become a leader dog for the blind.
The ultimate goal is to pair them up with a sight impaired person. Once the dogs are finished with training, they can be sent anywhere. There are leader dogs from Rochester in Spain, Mexico and various international locations in addition to the U.S., Sexton said.
The program is supported strictly by funds donated from Lions Club organizations, school groups, church youth groups and private citizens. The correctional facility is responsible for the food, supplies and veterinarian care, Sexton said.
There are several outside volunteers who also help with the program.
Randy and Carol Kirkbride are the Leader Dog puppy counselors who come from Ankeny to Rockwell City every other week to teach puppy class and work with the dog handlers. They also transport the dogs back and forth to Rochester.
Abbey Smith, 15, brings her 10-week-old puppy Siler from Adel to puppy class and the other dog activities as a volunteer for the program.
"I think it's made me a better person. Any amount of citizenship and community service can make anybody a better person," Smith said. "It is so much fun to come here and I wouldn't miss it for the world."
The purpose of the program is not only to prepare dogs to one day help people, but it also helps the inmates.
"They learn patience through the training techniques and learn responsibility to understand what it's like to have something depend on you for care and maintenance," Sexton said.
She said the handlers experience loss and sadness when the dog leaves and can then connect it to the feelings they created with their victim's family.
"It's a blessing and a privilege to be able to give back to society," said dog-handler LeRoy Seiler. "A lot of us took things and caused a lot of victims. Now we're at the opposite end of the spectrum and get to give something back."
Contact Angela Burch at (515) 573-2141 or aburch@messengernews.net
|
SNICKERS
|
|
|---|---|
|
09-30-08 1:43 PM
|
The RC facility has been training dogs for several years now. This services was once available to the Humane society here in Ft Dodge but sadly, the facility discontinued it. They now only train dogs that will be service animals. The shelter dogs lived at the facility and were trained in basic commands making the pet far more adoptable. The shelter contacted the criminal facility in Ft Dodge to see if they would be interested in setting up a similar program for shelter dogs but told due to the inmate type they house this would not be possible.
|
|
hybernation
|
|
|
09-29-08 5:19 PM
|
this is a really good idea i think since they are prisoners they might as well do something to possibly benifit other people:training dogs commands so people can adopt, or buy an already trained dog.
|