Interesting. Ever hear of Puppies Behind Bars?

[Fleshdancer]

I just turned on Oprah and they're talking about this interesting program where convicted felons take care of a puppy. Once the puppies are grown, they are then given to wounded soldiers to help them recover. The convicts are talking about how their puppy helps them learn responsibility and compassion and how it's hard when their dog leaves. Now they're showing a soldier bringing the dog to reunite with the convict that raised her.

:cry:

I always knew dogs made humans better, but this program is amazing.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Guide dogs for the blind are trained in prison also. nt

[Fleshdancer]

2. I had no idea

The bonds that are formed are amazing to watch. I'm glad I turned this on.

[MountainLaurel]

7. A women's prison in WV did this

It's had a tremendous effect of inmates' lives.

[Sebastian Doyle]

6. Seems to be a good program for the convicts and the doggies

http://prisonpetpartnership.org/

[HopeHoops]

3. Sounds like a good name for a band!

Yes I had heard of it - great program.

[Suich]

4. The positive effects of programs like this are so

overwhelming, I'm surprised they aren't more wide-spread. Sometimes they say it's the high cost, but when you compare that to the end result, it's a no-brainer!

It's fascinating to watch the hard core convicts turn into 24/7 puppy dads!

[SeattleGirl]

5. Used to be a weekly show on about that program. It's a great

program, for both the dogs and the convicts.

[rvablue]

8. I saw Oprah today. What a wonderful program.

I'd heard of rehab programs for troubled dogs before but not of one like this.

So positive for the prisoners that they can feel like they are doing something worthy to repay their debt to society instead of just lifting weights and stewing.

And also very eye-opening on the hidden injuries from Iraq. From pictures and the description from the wife you could see how much the Sgt. had changed from his head injury and PTSD.

[Fleshdancer]

10. I cried when the they described how the dog helped with the soldier's PTSD

Especially the part when the dog could hear a helicopter from a distance when no one could and stood alert or how the doggie kisses would help the soldier snap out of his flashbacks.

:cry:

Oh, and the crying inmates talking about how they have learned to love again because of this program. It melted my heart.

[Shell Beau]

9. It seems like a win/win! Abandoned dogs help prisoners.

I don't see a down side.