DELAWARE SPCA AND SUSSEX CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION PARTNER ON PAWS FOR A CAUSE PROGRAM

Win-win program benefits dogs and inmates

Delaware SPCA announced its partnership with the Sussex Correctional Institution on a pilot program called PAWS FOR A CAUSE. The Paws for a Cause Pilot Program will utilize volunteer inmates to train adoptable dogs from the Delaware SPCA's Georgetown shelter.

"This is a win-win proposition for both the Delaware SPCA and The Sussex Correctional Institution," said Anne Cavanaugh, Executive Director of the Delaware SPCA. "It will benefit the dogs to spend more time with humans, and their adoptability will improve with basic obedience training."

Volunteer inmates from the prison's Honors Building will receive instruction once a week from a volunteer certified dog trainer. The trainer assesses the dogs and gives the inmates custom assignments for that week. The dogs, Sire and Vinnie, live with their inmate trainers, and work on their training assignments each day.

"We are excited to offer this pilot program to our inmates. It provides interaction with a companion animal which can help with rehabilitation," said Sussex Correctional Institution Deputy Warden Linda Valentino. "Our Incarcerated Veterans Group (IVG) has been very involved with getting this program off the ground. It is one of our long-term goals that the trained dogs might be adopted by local Veterans. In fact, our IVG is raising funds in the hopes of covering some of the potential adoption fees for Veterans."

A successful pilot will result in shelter dogs earning comprehensive 'Canine Good Citizen' training certificates at the direction of the selected inmates. This certificate increases the likelihood that these dogs will find forever homes.

"Thus far, this pilot program has exceeded our expectations, and we look forward to extending it indefinitely. The participating inmates, as well as those not directly involved in the program, love having the dogs around," Valentino said.

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