Dog training program at Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility

On Sunday, Oct. 21, Andrea Wright, executive officer at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility, brought Lola, a pit bull mix, to the Dover Museum as a way to show the public the result of this program that helps rehabilitate the dogs from the PAWS animal shelter into family pets. All inmates have jobs in the facility and eight individuals are selected to work with these dogs. In eight weeks, these animals can go from frightened, abused or hyper dogs to adoptable pets that know at least 10 commands.

Each dog is with its handler most of the time as it is up to the trainer to feed his dog, take it outside, and do the training. Sometimes just getting the dog to leave its kennel takes time until the dog realizes it will not be mistreated. Dogs sleep in their kennels in the room with the trainer and his three cellmates.

The PowerPoint presentation showed an inmate working with his dog who was rewarded with treats in response to learning commands. Lola lay sleeping while Wright spoke, but demonstrated what she had learned when she was taken in front of the audience.

After training, the dogs are returned to Ft. Madison where nearly all are adopted by a ‘fur-ever family'. If for some reason the family cannot keep the dog, they are required to return it to the PAWS shelter. The morning the dogs have received their Good Canine Certificates and are transported back to Ft. Madison, a new group of dogs arrive from the shelter in the afternoon.

Volunteers are welcome as well as donations for items such as the collars and leashes used in the training This is a win-win program for both the dogs and inmates.