|
|
| Release the hounds |
| By Sarah Etter, News Reporter |
| Published: 01/22/2007 |
In the celebrity world, Chihuahuas seem to be the dog du jour. Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, along with scores of other glamour girls can't seem to go anywhere without carrying their pups around like a “must-have” Gucci accessory. Well, corrections caught onto the dog craze long before any of the Hollywood wannabes thought it vogue, but facilities are utilizing a strong, faster and smarter breed of canine, not celebrities. “This is the hottest thing going,” says Beverly Sebastian, director of the National Greyhound Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to finding homes for retired greyhounds. “Watch out! We're coming to a facility near you!” The NGF founder has always been motivated to save retired racing greyhounds from being euthanized. Her most recent project, Second Chance at Life, teams up DOCs and offenders to train out-of-work greyhounds and prepare them for family adoption. “When you think about the fact that 3,000 greyhounds are put down every year, it's heartbreaking,” says Sebastian. “I really wanted to do something about it. Part of that goal involves partnerships and so far I've had a great experience working with DOCs.” The program is gaining recognition as a rehabilitative effort for both animals and inmates in Ohio, New Jersey, Colorado, South Carolina, Indiana and Michigan. In each state, it provides videos, workbooks and training materials that teach inmates about dog life. Then, NGF pups, live in offender cells for ten weeks before being placed in their adoptive homes. “They are required to care for the dogs at all times,” Sebastian adds. “They take the dogs with them just about everywhere they go.” Inmates walk the dogs, which are always muzzled when in public areas of facilities, and feed, bathe and play with them, keeping an eye out for any signs of aggressiveness. There are also weekly sessions with a professional trainer, who helps offenders teach the dogs to sit and fetch. Every week, the NGF checks in to make sure the training is going smoothly. After a month, guests are invited to meet the dogs for prospective adoption. In Michigan, the greyhounds have made a noticeable change in corrections culture. Three MIDOC facilities established the program in August. Two central dog handlers are chosen for each pup, and an alternate handler is on call at all times for the 28 dogs currently being trained. 
The MIDOC's Lakeland Correctional Facility has gone especially greyhound crazy.
“You'd have to see it here to believe it. We've had nothing but success,” says LCF Warden Carol R. Howes. “At first, I had lots of the typical warden thoughts: What if the dog bites someone? What if the other inmates see this program as a [social] status issue within the facility? But we've had absolutely no problems.” According to Howes, even inmates who aren't working as handlers are getting in on the action. Inmates have painted murals, the culinary program baked dog biscuits, and blankets, jackets and neck warmers also have been knitted for the greyhounds. A theme song for the SCAL program was recently composed too. “I've never seen anything like this,” says Howes. “It's truly remarkable. Our offenders are very passionate about this program. They've become calmer and more compassionate. It almost makes the handlers act like parents, and our other offenders just love to see the dogs at the facility. I'd recommend it to any corrections facility.” As the program continues to receive rave reviews from facilities, Sebastian is looking at new states, and is currently talking with the Illinois DOC. “I'm hopeful this program will be established in every state,” Sebastian says. “That's my goal. If we can get five facilities in each state to participate in this program, I estimate we can save those 3,000 greyhounds from being put down annually.” There are some requirements for interested DOCs. For instance, Sebastian usually requires the dogs be housed in a dorm-style setting, as opposed to a maximum security facility. She also requires buy-in. Directors, commissioners, wardens and COs alike must all be invested in the program for Sebastian to bring her pups into a facility. So while Chihuahuas might be arm candy in Hollywood, greyhounds are taking over corrections in an innovative rehabilitative effort that benefits both dogs and offenders. Bottom Line: Programs like SCAL provide a no-cost solution that gives a second chance to more than just inmates. For more information, email Beverly Sebastian Related resources: Save The Greyhound Dogs History of Greyhounds on Wikipedia Reporter's note: Beverly Sebastian was incorrectly quoted as saying 30,000 greyhounds were euthanized annually. The correct quote was that 3,000 were put down on a yearly basis. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think