| Yes, that's right, puppies in prison. You see, there are | | | | for Assistance Dog Service (NEADS) in central |
| prison programs in place that prepare puppies to help | | | | Massachusetts. NEADS is a non-profit organization |
| the disabled population. There's an expected change | | | | that provides assistance dogs for the deaf and |
| coming in the number of disabled with the thousands | | | | disabled. They have more than 80 puppies in eight |
| of wounded veterans returning from wars in Iraq and | | | | correctional facilities around New England. |
| Afghanistan, so the demand for these assistance dogs | | | | The puppies complete their training in four months and |
| will increase. Whoever thought of this was really on | | | | are then provided to members of the disabled |
| the ball! | | | | population through a waiting list. There are |
| In some of the low and medium security prison | | | | approximately 85 people requesting assistance dogs |
| facilities, inmates are chosen to take a puppy to raise. | | | | currently. |
| These inmates are non-violent and have good | | | | Having these dogs in a prison setting has provided |
| behavior records. The puppies are with the inmates all | | | | benefits for the prison atmosphere, too. They seem to |
| the time ... at mess hall, at the gym and sleeping in dog | | | | bring out the best in the inmates and their very |
| crates in their rooms. These facilities are not cells, but | | | | presence diffuses tension. The inmates selected to |
| rooms with doors, to better acclimate the puppy for | | | | raise the puppies are distracted from missing the |
| the real world. | | | | "outside" and get unconditional love... not what you'd |
| The inmates, along with a professional dog trainer, put | | | | typically find in a correctional facility. The puppies also |
| the dogs through a rigorous program that prepares | | | | benefit as they truly get undivided attention and |
| them for advanced training at the National Education | | | | affection. A real win-win situation. |