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Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

  • 1.  Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-13-2023 09:50 AM

    Updated 4/17 at 3:06pm - Recording now available to watch on-demand! 



    We hope you've had a great Spring Break and we're looking forward to seeing you again on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 11am PT      for our next Community Conversations call! We've heard from many of our attendees that you are interested in learning more about prison training programs so we've put together a panel of speakers to tell about their experiences.

    Prison training programs can be transformative. In this Community Conversation, hear from panelists who have created shelter dog training programs in partnership with correctional facilities in various states. Our panelists will include:

    We will also be announcing the grant winners of the March 2023 Community Conversations. Tune in to see if you're one of the winners!

    Register here for our Monday Community Conversations Calls: maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration

    If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like. After you watch the recording or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new April entry form to enter to win up to a $10k grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-apr23-giveaway.htm


    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
    #CommunityPartnerships*
    #Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

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    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 2.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-17-2023 03:29 PM

    Thank you to the 230+ people who joined us live for today's call! The recording is now available to watch on-demand. Below you'll find a recap of the agenda, grant winners and resources shared during the call. Thank you to our incredible panel of speakers for sharing their stories with our community. I'll be posting the unanswered questions from the chat as individual comments on this thread so folks can follow along. 

    Agenda

    • Welcome from Hosts: Clare Callison, Director of National Operations, Austin/American Pets Alive and Bobby Mann, Chief Programs Officer, Humane Rescue Alliance

    • New Zoom join flow https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/11461720682509
    • Congratulations to our March Community Conversation Winners - $2,500 each!                                                                              
      • Geri Golonka, TinynTall Rescue (St. Charles, IL)
      • Sam Meyers, Chesapeake Rescue Alliance (Mechanicsville, MD)
      • Katie Pauli, Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter (Billings, MT)
      • Leah Santelli, Animal Protection Society of Durham (Durham, NC)

    • Congratulations to our March Maddie's Pet Forum winner  - $3,000
      • Carol Jessee, Angels of Assisi (Roanoke, VA)

    • Congratulations to our $3,000 winners from Expo #ThanksToMaddie!
      • Jessica Lopez, The Paw Mission
      • Renena McCaskill, City of Detroit
      • Roberto Fernandez, Emanicipet Non-Profit Pet Clinics
      • Kathleen Wooden Knife, Wamakanskan Wawokiye Oti-Helping Animal Center
      • Donell Randolph, Oakland Animal Services

    National Updates

    Presentation: Prison Training Programs Panel Discussion

          Panelists: Kyle Cory-Yaeggi, CEO, Liberty Dogs Cathy King, Executive Director, Canines with a Cause Alex Tonner, Founder and President, Paws for Life K9 Rescue Jon Grobman, COO, Paws for Life K9 Rescue



    Highlights From The Chat

    • "FYI, Marin Humane has had a program with San Quentin since 2005. One of our measures of success is both ends of the leash -- the dogs healed and/or trained as well as helping the dog handlers" - Nancy McKenney, Marin Humane
    • "When I was CEO of ACCT Philly, we worked with a organization called New Leash on Life.  We offered program participants an opportunity to intern with us, after they were released.  New Leash paid them for the first 6 months and we hired the person if we had an open position and they demonstrated that they could do the job." - Vincent Medley
    • "Humane Society of Catawba County raised funds and donated a 4-plex kennel to a facility in Western North Carolina for the "New Leash on Life" Program for offenders." - Erin Hooks
    • "At LA County, we had a kitten foster program at a Youth Probation camp. It was easier to manage for us then dogs. Our focus became on the youth and making it as interactive and meeting them wherever they were in their journey." - Allison Cardona
    • "It's important to acknowledge the structural racism and inequities that lead to mass incarceration. When thinking and talking about rehabilitation - Black and Brown people are more likely to be incarcerated for committing the same crimes as white people. These programs bring humanity and compassion to a system that is structured to oppress." - Allison Cardona
    • "Also curious if/how these programs can/do intersect with prison abolition movements?" - Wendy Zeldin in reply to Allison Cardona
    • "In a previous role, we supported with pet food (the same brand/type so the dogs didn't get sick), crates, leashes, etc. We also got to tour the high security prison and cells and meet the trainers and attend the graduation ceremony. We saw firsthand the deep compassion of the trainers and the selflessness when the dogs were matched with their human." - Geraldine D'Silva
    • "Awesome timing on this presentation! We just relaunched our prison program for dogs last week post-COVID." - Anne Boeche
    • "I have not tried an endeavor such as this. But I will not let silence, red tape or bureaucracy stop me from moving forward. Legitimate safety issues, sure. But if someone doesn't return a call, I text. No text, I email. No response there, I visit in person. Always positive, friendly and helpful in trying to remove barriers to get things done for the animals." - Amy Charles
    • "Amazing job...what an inspiration!" - Jenny Webber



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    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-19-2023 11:18 AM

    Hello,
    We just started our prison program in Idaho as well, but not in Orofino, but Boise. Is there a way we can get Cathy King's email to see if we can connect 1:1 to learn more how that prison operates? We have been having some challenge and hopefully we can learn some tips to get this program better.



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    Karinna Lozano
    Meridian Canine Rescue
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-17-2023 03:34 PM

    Unanswered question in the chat from Doris Kempton to our panelists -  "Super interesting.  We have a Federal and a State Correctional Facility in our community.  But we are a cat rescue.  Can prisoners keep a pet?" 



    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-19-2023 11:49 AM

    Hi Charlotte, The prison we originally worked with in Carson City, NV had a robust prenatal kitten program, the offenders bottle fed and socialized the kittens until they we ready to go to the shelter. This is also a program you can have in jails as the kittens are there short term.
    Good luck



    ------------------------------
    Cathy King
    Executive Director
    Canines With a Cause
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-17-2023 03:35 PM

    Unanswered question in the chat from Lisa Pearce to our panelists - 
    "What was the feedback from prison officials that they promoted your project to others?"



    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-17-2023 03:36 PM

    Unanswered question in the chat from Alexis Pagoulatos to our panelists - "The statistics sound really exciting. Are there some broad success stats available by chance?"



    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-17-2023 03:36 PM

    Unanswered question in the chat from Rita Ortiz to our panelists - "We had tried to start a program with a local juvenile facility to introduce the kids to jobs with animals, starting as dog walkers & trainers, hoping to keep these kids out of prisons. Unfortunately our staff did not feel they had the time to do this. I'd love to hear any thoughts how we might be able to get this done with limited human resources?"



    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-18-2023 07:46 AM

    Partner with local animal shelters or rescue organizations: These organizations often have volunteer programs or staff who may be able to help with the training and care of animals. They may also have established relationships with local juvenile facilities and can help facilitate the program.Recruit volunteers: Reach out to your local community and see if there are volunteers who would be willing to help with the program. You may be able to find volunteers who have experience working with animals and can help with training and care.Focus on simple and manageable tasks: To minimize the workload, focus on simple tasks that can be managed with limited resources. For example, you could start by teaching the kids how to walk and exercise dogs, and gradually move on to more advanced training as the program develops.Collaborate with other organizations: Reach out to other organizations or individuals who may be able to help with the program, such as local businesses, animal behaviorists, or veterinarians. They may be able to provide resources or expertise to help get the program off the ground.



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    oscar clark
    nokis
    alexa
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-17-2023 03:37 PM

    Unanswered question in the chat from Lisa Pearce to our panelists - "When dogs are ready, do they command a premium adoption fee?"



    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-18-2023 12:49 PM

    We have partnered with the Norhteast Missouri Correctional Facility, Bowling Green, MO for over 15 years. It has been an amazing experience with our shleter with a 100% adoption rate from our Puppies For Parole program. I cannot stress what an amazing partnership this is for our shelter.



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    Elise Blue
    NEMO Humane Society
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-17-2023 03:38 PM

    Unanswered question in the chat from Amy Buttry to our panelists - "Could someone share their prison program SOP's that could be tailored to another shelter/org?😁" 

    Related unanswered question from Claudia Labbe - "Can you share any SOPs for guidelines to start off? Thanks all!"



    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Community Conversations - 4/17/23 - Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel

    Posted 04-17-2023 03:38 PM

    Unanswered question in the chat from Alexis Pagoulatos, Animal Rescue League of Berks County to our panelists - "Does anyone have a list of pitch materials we should go in with?"



    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



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