A Florida Panhandle prison is going to the dogs – literally.
Blackwater River Correctional Facility launches its “Prison Puppy” program in the next few weeks. Three dogs will be trained as service animals for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Sheila O’Brien oversees the program for America’s VetDogs, which is based in Long Island, New York.
“As more and more of these guys and girls come back from Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s becoming very clear to assistance dog organizations that the dogs can help with their physical wounds,” said O’Brien. “But they can also help with their psychological wounds.”
VetDogs was founded in 2003 as a sister organization of the Guide Dog Foundation, which in turn began as a provider of trained dogs to veterans who were blinded in World War II.
The pups are selected at eight weeks of age. Most of them are Labrador Retrievers, but some poodles are used if the recipient has allergy problems. O'Brien adds that there are three major differences between training a “guide dog” and a “service dog.” One deals with being able to get around.
“Guide dog puppies are allowed to pull, because their job eventually is going to be leading out with their blind partner,” said O'Brien. “Service dog puppies are not allowed to pull. When they’re placed with someone who has a severe disability such as an amputation or a balance problem, if they pull that can be very dangerous.”
Difference #2: Guide dogs are trained to look forward to the open road; service dogs are trained to look to their disabled handler for direction. The third difference is a guide dog is trained not to pick up anything with their mouths, while service dogs are allowed, because retrieving objects is a large part of their training.
The pups sent to Blackwater State and other prisons undergo a 14-month program. O'Brien says the six inmate trainers, three primary handlers and three backups, are chosen through a collaboration between the prison and America’s VetDogs.
When brought to their inmate handlers, the pups then undergo what could be called “basic training” – retrieving dropped items, tugging open doors, pushing handicapped and door buttons, and providing brace and balance on stairs and uneven surfaces, among other skills. Afterward, the dogs are returned to VetDogs for finish work.
“Sometimes it’s like a designer dog,” said O'Brien. “When they get here, they fine-tune those skills.”
All services are provided at no cost to veterans. More information is available at vetdogs.org.