PRISON DOG PROGRAMS ~ BRIDGES and PATHWAYS of COURAGE: August 2009

CONTACT

Sister Pauline Quinn op
BRIDGES and PATHWAYS of COURAGE
srpauline@bpofcourage.org

In 1981 I started the first prison dog program and helped to start them around the country. If you would like me to answer questions about the prison dog programs programs, I will be happy to do this. I will continue to help maintain some of the prison programs that have started with items that they need such as training supplies, dog food, dog crates and other items.

Sr Pauline Quinn srpauline@bpofcourage.org

You can also contact Donna Shawver of Pathways To Hope who would help give guidance in starting a prison program. donna@pathwaystohope.org

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

The Courage to try...

Hi Sister Pauline,

I wanted to let you know about one of my pups who was slated to be a service dog/breeder. She had to be released due to prey drive, but this is what she's doing instead! She surfed with a 15 year old quadraplegic surfer, and completed the first ever tandem surfing ride between an adaptive surfer and a dog last Thursday!

FINDING HOPE IN PRISON

In 1981, Sister Pauline Quinn op started the first prison dog program at the Washington State Correctional Center for Women. She found two wonderful trainers to help her, Marcia Hinkel and Dawn Jecs who kept the program going after she left.

Dr Leo Bustad, the Dean of the Washington State Veterinarian College was very helpful to Sister Pauline, encouraging her to keep going when it was difficult to start.

Now there are prison dog programs all over the United States, Canada and Europe.Many unwanted dogs have been saved and those who are handicapped were given a special dog to help them.

Not only has this program helped the inmates learn how to become ‘other’ centered; it has given them hope in their lives. It has shown them that they can be loved. Dogs love us unconditionally.

The success for change is through love. Those who have committed crimes need to be responsible and learn that there is a better life for them if they want it. Inmates have changed their lives and gone on to start dog training centers, grooming shops and worked to help the handicapped once they were released.

The prison dog programs helps the inmates learn how to become 'other' centered. No matter how difficult our lives have been, if we give back to others, then we also help our own life.

srpauline@bpofcourage.org

http://srpauline.webs.com/
http://srpaulina.blogspot.com/
http://prisondogs.blogspot.com/
http://dominicandogs.blogspot.com/
http://pathwaystohope.blogspot.com/
http://www.picturetrail.com/srpauline