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Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

  • 1.  Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-06-2023 10:42 AM

    Updated 7/10/23 at 3:37pm - Recording is now available to watch on-demand

    We hope to see you on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 11am PT for our next Community Conversations call all about dog training prison programs. In this Community Conversation, hear from two organizations with programs in California: Marley's Mutts and Infinite PawsAbilities. We'll also feature graduates from the program at Marley's Mutts, known as Pawsitive Change (see a sneak peek in the video below).

    In case you missed it, be sure to watch the previous Community Conversations call on this topic from April 2023, Prison Training Programs Discussion Panel: https://maddies.fund/communityconversations41723

    Maddie's Fund will also be announcing the June grant winners for attending Community Conversations and the Maddie's Pet Forum grant winner.  We would also love your feedback on this short survey to help us learn more about what topics you would like to hear more about on future Community Conversations https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/weeklycommunityconversationssurvey

    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 July entry form to enter to win a grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-jul23-giveaway.htm


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

    ------------------------------
    Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 2.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-10-2023 04:09 PM

    Thanks to the 126+ people who joined us on today's Community Conversations call. The recording is now available to watch on-demand. Attached you'll find a copy of Zach's presentation slides and video shared during the call. Be sure to complete this grant giveaway form if you joined us live or caught the recording to enter to win up to a $5k grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-jul23-giveaway.htm.

    For those who have already registered for Community Conversations but are no longer seeing the meeting invitation on your calendar, be sure to edit the event on your calendar and update the frequency to "Weekly on Mondays". If you have any issues joining or need any additional help, please let us know!

    Agenda

    • Welcome from Hosts:
      • Shannon Roebuck, Executive Director, Bridging Impact
      • Ariel Zhang, Vice President of National Programs, Humane Rescue Alliance 
    • Question of the Day: What's something that was once important but is now becoming less and less relevant?
      • "Time has changed my priorities.  I believe I 'listen' better than I did.  I think I am more 'flexible'" - Debra DeVries
      • "Society's expectations! Getting married, having kids, etc - I've learned I'm happier forging my own path and finding my own joy. :)" - Jenna Riedi
      • "When our kids were younger, the rules, traditions and cultural restrictions we imposed on our whole family were entirely different." - Amy Charles
      • "I've stopped offering excuses when I decline an invite. I just say no thanks." - Kelly Nelson
      • "We often say not to let being perfect to get in the way of progress in this field!" - Irene Chansawang
      • "Letting go of career tracks I've been focused on! Being open to different futures." - James Pawlowicz
    • National Updates
    • June Community Conversations Grant Winners - $2,500 each
      • Becky Costner,  Let Love Live (Wadena, MN)
      • Mary Flores, Sol Dog Lodge and Training Center (Tucson, AZ)
      • Linda Rubin, Beck's Place (Monroe, WA)
      • Phillip Zimmerman, Front Street Animal Shelter (Sacramento, CA)
    • June Maddie's Pet Forum Winner - $3,000
    • Prison Training Program, Part 2 - Weekly Community Conversations 7/10/23
      • Guest Speakers

        • Zach Skow, Executive Director, Marley's Mutts

        • Didontae Farmer, Pawsitive Change Graduate, Marley's Mutts

        • Brian James, Pawsitive Change Graduate, Marley's Mutts

        • Cherie Flores, Executive Director, Infinite Pawsabilities

      • https://www.marleysmutts.org/
    • Highlights from the Chat
      • "These convos ARE incredibly beneficial! Thank you!" - Amy Charles
      • "These gift help change lives.  Thank you Maddie's Fund and all that are here to support each other!" - Janice Jensen
      • "Becky Costner - if you are interested in taking cats on transport, let me know!  We already have 3 partners in MN.  Have a transport leaving this week, and send 1 every month!" - June Thomas
      • "My shelter is inside a men's Louisiana state prison." - Holly Bendily
      • "What a wonderful program. Great, job, folks!" - Elizabeth Iannelli 
      • "We have worked with our country's "Prison Farm" with the feral dog population that found them.  Our organization was contacted to stem the overpopulation as the head of the Prison was told to shoot the dogs and it was "breaking his heart." We go all the prisoners involved for helping to collect the dogs and then post-operative care but know we can make a difference if we could make this a foster/shelter program.  Would love to chat on this! <3" - Janice Jensen
      • "where can we get this video?  Can someone put the link in the chat?  TY!" - Shelby Bobosky 
      • "Yes, Didontae. Your understanding of how important humans are in the equation is something that not all people get. Thank you for sharing that." - Augusta Farley
      • " I can't help but cry right now. I met a felon who had been inside for 15 yrs who also was a dog trainer inside but painting houses when he got out. He helped me with my dog to train her around my husband with Parkinson's.   I used my future inheritance to loan him the money to buy a facility for board & train. We now started a nonprofit to train dogs for kids in the foster system or veterans with PTSD & our dogs go into prison for 3 months" - Geraldine Schneider 
      • "Thank you so much Zach, Didontae, and Brian. You are doing such important and inspiring work." - Tina Moreno 
      • "I could listen for hours as well. 🙂 Wonderful work!!" - Melody Seefeldt 
      • "Ty, inspirational." - Debbie Loveland 
      • "Thank you all for your work and compassion!" - Geraldine D'Silva 
      • "Really enjoyed listening. Very inspiring!" - Christine Lugo 
      • "This was super interesting and moving. Thank you!" - Stacy Beckley 
      • "Please bring them back!  Amazing program." - Shelby Bobosky 
      • "Thank you so much! This was wonderful." - Tracy Brad
      • "Thank you! This was the best." - Syndi Halualani Texeira | HAKA 



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

    Attachment(s)

    pdf
    Pawsitive Change A Marleys Mutts Program_Community Conver...10   31.98 MB 1 version


  • 3.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-18-2023 07:36 AM

    I don' have much to add to this discussion, but I just wanted to say thank you for bringing this to the table! It was very inspirational and really shows the diversity in opportunities that are possible in the animal rescue world! I look forward to seeing these programs continue to grow!



    ------------------------------
    Shauney Moen
    President
    Pope County Humane Society
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 07-10-2023 04:25 PM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Unanswered question from the chat asked by Diana Bell:

    "We have an opportunity to get our dogs into Southern NM Correctional Facility.  We're all set to go but need a trainer.  Any suggestions on finding someone?  And what types of trainer/training should we be looking for?"




  • 5.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-10-2023 07:43 PM

    I think it really depends on the focus of your program. I am a trainer and was originally solicited by two different grant recipients to run their programs (at two different times). They were based very far (so. Cal) from the prison. I live 10 minutes from it. One organization had very clear thoughts on the curriculum they wanted taught (I am very versed in all phases of training, so adapting for me, is easy, but this is not true of every trainer). The second organization was less worried about the specific curriculum and allowed me to teach as I chose. Now that I run my own program, one thing that I have found valuable is to try to teach them many tools and to have the participants make choices. This is soooooo hard for them, but really is bringing new skills to them. They have not made choices for 10,20,30 years in the institution. I would definitely look at the trainers that are local to the institution, and look to see that they have depth in their toolbox. That can be shown in a number of ways. Feel free to reach out for a more detailed discussion. Cherie info@infinitepaws.org



    ------------------------------
    Cherie Flores
    Executive Director
    Infinite PawsAbilities
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 07-10-2023 04:25 PM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Unanswered question from the chat asked by Amy Charles:

    "I am in discussions with local teachers about how to initiate a program similar to this for troubled teens BEFORE they go to prison or as an intervention after they've been in trouble with the law. Is there such a group already in existence?"




  • 7.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-10-2023 07:44 PM

    I am not sure I exactly understand the idea, but I will say that my experience (as a trainer), is that more and more teachers are looking to put a "therapy" dog in the classroom...and my experience as a lawyer (yes, I am from a diverse background), is that the court system is also using "facility dogs" more and more. Typically we see them more for victims who are needing to testify.  I am not sure that I am aware of any programs drawing kids into the dogs (aside from the standard 4-H) program, but I know of many stories of adults who spoke of being saved by someone mentoring them into a particular dog sport, training, etc...that kept them out of jail, so it really sounds like it might be a great idea! 



    ------------------------------
    Cherie Flores
    Executive Director
    Infinite PawsAbilities
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-11-2023 01:53 PM

    Hi, Amy,

    There was a recent article about a teacher getting permission to bring puppies into classrooms. It led me to information about this grant opportunity called Pets in the Classroom, but I have no further knowledge on it. 

    Thanks for the great question!



    ------------------------------
    Irene Chansawang
    Senior Grants Specialist
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 07-10-2023 04:25 PM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Unanswered question from the chat asked by Debra DeVries:

    "Perhaps I missed it, but what is the successful adoption rate for the dogs that go thru the Pawsitive Change program?"




  • 10.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-10-2023 07:44 PM

    I cannot speak for Zach. I only started our Infinite Paws program one year ago. So far, (fingers crossed) we have retained 100% adoption rate. But we offer post adoption support, and as a trainer, I am always focused on finding a home that matches the needs of the dog. I am sure, that we will not always retain that rate and our numbers are small in our first year, but we are trying to get this part right! (well, trying to get a lot right..but this is a key component to me). 



    ------------------------------
    Cherie Flores
    Executive Director
    Infinite PawsAbilities
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 07-10-2023 04:26 PM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Unanswered question from the chat asked by Maris Brown:

    "What is the success rate for the guys when they get out as well as the dogs getting adopted?  This is really awesome!"




  • 12.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-10-2023 05:19 PM

    I worked with a Womens correctional facility in WV that had a program called paws4people. I was skeptical at first however the difference it made for the inmates was unbelievable. The program helped inmates learn better coping skills, more accountability and so much more. It's great to see many facilities provide this great opportunity to their inmates and it's great to know you are making others aware of this fantastic program. 



    ------------------------------
    Tammy Khounlavong
    Rescue volunteer
    Friends of Greenup PAWS
    South Point OH
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 07-11-2023 02:48 AM

    One tip for anyone wanting to start one of these programs:  give a lot of thought to how your dogs will get vet care, once they're in this program.  I know of a Louisiana municipality with one of these shelter-prison programs, and the vet care seems like it was not even considered in planning the program.   That program has no independent funding, so the dogs would have to be transported back to the government-run shelter for basic care, and there's nobody in the prison whose job that is -- or even a vet tech to do an assessment of whether the dog needs to leave to get care.  All that means that with this program, if anything goes wrong, the dogs are probably not going to leave the prison for care, and the shelter vet isn't coming to them.   It would be a lot better for there to be a plan for sick and injured dogs...because stuff happens. 



    ------------------------------
    Maggie Thomas
    President
    Red Stick German Shepherd Rescue
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  • 14.  RE: Community Conversations - 7/10/23 - Dog Training Prison Program

    Posted 08-28-2023 08:35 AM

    So sad I missed this one!! I know I can watch it but it's not the same as being there. I run 3 prison programs here in beautiful sunny Florida. RMC Paws Camp and UCI Rock Hounds, the 3rd one doesn't have an official name as they just take one pup for emotional support for the prisoners. These programs help everyone involved from the prison to the shelter/rescue, as well as the people. I would love to start more of them in all of the correctional facilities.



    ------------------------------
    Stacey Blanyar
    Director of Rescue & Pet Retention
    Lake City Humane Society
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