The Power of Involving Incarcerated Individuals in Assistance Dog Training Programs: Experiences from Inside

Raising assistance dogs in prisons isn’t just about the dogs and the recipients who will one day receive a fully trained assistance dog. Involving incarcerated individuals in assistance dog training programs has significant impacts on the inmate trainers as well. Brigadoon Service Dogs serves clients throughout the Pacific Northwest and has puppy raising programs in a number of correctional centers in Washington state. A few incarcerated individuals who are trainers in Brigadoon’s program at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell, WA shared their experiences; below are some of their responses. 

Can you tell us about the dog you are currently working with? 

• “I am currently working with a black Lab-Golden cross named "Clover." She is 15 months old. She's extremely smart and energetic. Her anticipation for a reinforcer makes her cue response time very crisp but not precise so we are working on her stimulus control.”
• “I don't currently have a dog so I have spent my time learning everything I can from the other trainers.”

How long have you been participating in this program?

• “I have been participating in this program since May 16, 2023.”
• “This is my fifth year in the Brigadoon program”

What is your favorite aspect of being involved with this program? 

• “My favorite aspect, besides that ah-ha moment where they learn to learn, would be when we get updates about these dogs and hear who graduated and what type of need they will be filling.”
• “Knowing that I can do something that can make life changing differences, learning leadership skills, being firm, fair, consistent, through the Brigadoon Service dog program and help others in the process.”

Does the program benefit the prison as a whole in any way? If so, how?

• “Yes, I believe that it does. At its most superficial level most inmates enjoy seeing dogs actually in prison, walking around, showing up at church, or library, or school. It adds something that emotes positive memories in an often downer place. It also gives us the opportunity to educate a population that for the most part never have seen a service animal and they can then educate family and friends when they’re back in society and happen to see a service dog.”
• “The Brigadoon program I feel gives back a sense of pride to see positive behavior out of fellow inmates & the shaping of dogs as well to see a functional positive source that truly gives back to society.”

Do you feel the program has been beneficial for you? If so, how? 

• “This program has been beneficial to me because it has helped me with my anxiety and my patience. Having put another life before mine has helped me be less self-centered.” 
• “Most definitely, this program has changed my life. Understanding the psychology behind the training has impacted the way I deal with people. It has made me a more empathetic and patient person.” 

What impact do you feel this program makes on the greater community? 

• “I think that by having inmates train these dogs it keeps the cost down allowing more dogs to be placed. It helps the trainers be better members of the community and hopefully upon release remain better members of society. And it helps the prison population, educating them and showing them that there can be more in life and that giving is good.”
• “The Brigadoon Service Dog Program shows that people that have been incarcerated can be compassionate to spend countless hours and lots of patience that gives benefit of trained dog handlers and multiple service dogs given back to the greater community.”

There are many positive outcomes of incarcerated individuals taking part in the training of assistance dogs. The participants themselves undergo personal growth and find self-worth, and the carceral settings that support these programs see positive impacts in the prison population.  In turn, the community sees many benefits beyond greater access to trained assistance dogs. These initiatives are not only a great asset to an assistance dog program, but an asset to every life involved in the process and have significant, long-lasting impacts. 

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Samantha has been training puppies and managing volunteers in the assistance dog world since 2014 previously working at large guide and assistance dog organizations in Ontario and British Columbia. She now works privately as a canine consultant and subject matter expert in positive reinforcement training with puppies and assistance dogs. She has a positive approach to problem solving and a love of working with people and dogs. In her down time, you can find her reading on the couch with her pets, or out on the trails of Vancouver Island, BC with her partner and their canines. 

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