USA: Puppies Behind Bars by Radhika Chalasani

BEACON, NEW YORK-AUGUST 15: Rezzie plays affectionately with Andy. Andy has a great bond with Rezzie, the second dog he is raising for the Puppies Behind Program at Fishkill Correctional Facility. He says it's like losing a member of your family when the dog you've trained and lived with for 18-20 month leaves the prison. ..The Puppies Behind Bars (PPB) Program works with prison inmates in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to train service dogs, including ones who help injured soldiers....
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BEACON, NEW YORK-AUGUST 15: Rezzie plays affectionately with Andy. Andy has a great bond with Rezzie, the second dog he is raising for the Puppies Behind Program at Fishkill Correctional Facility. He says it's like losing a member of your family when the dog you've trained and lived with for 18-20 month leaves the prison. ..The Puppies Behind Bars (PPB) Program works with prison inmates in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to train service dogs, including ones who help injured soldiers. The puppies arrive at 8 weeks-old and remain at the prisons, mostly working with one inmate, for 20 months. Fishkill Correctional Facility is a medium security prison in New York with 22 men in the puppy program. The emotional element of caring for the puppies breaks down the hard façade that most prisoners create for themselves to survive prison life. Prisoners learn responsibility and pride in helping others. The program often gives them a new outlook on their crimes, their time in prison, and goals when they are released.
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