Inmates shared their feelings about the Paws in Prison program and showed off the skills of dogs they trained at a graduation ceremony Wednesday at the Sanders Estes Unit in Venus.
The eight week Paws in Prison program ended with inmates thanking Warden David McComis and other prison employees for allowing them to train the dogs.
“This has given me a whole different outlook on life,” said Mario Perez, an inmate who trained a dog named Midnight. “I am planning to stay in the program for one more round.”
Deputy Warden Michael Ringer said the Sanders Estes Unit plans to build the program and bring in more dogs over the next few months.
“This has had a positive impact on our facility,” he said.
The Sanders Estes Unit is the third GEO-run facility to implement Paws in Prison.
Pulling in support
Wally Swanson, founder of the Camp Wolfgang dog rescue, donates dogs to the program, and Maximum K9 trainer Gayle Justice teaches inmates to train the dogs.
“There have been less disciplinary issues in the prison since the program began,” Swanson said. “Over the decades I have rarely had an involvement that is win-win like this is.”
Justice said inmates who handle the dogs have a deep concern for them.
“They really love the dogs,” she said.
Michael Hollie, one of two inmates who trained a blue-eyed dog named Sky, fell so deeply in love with his dog that he is adopting her. He said he will be released from prison in 23 days and is thankful he is able to adopt Sky.
“This has been an experience that I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life,” he said. “It has been so rewarding to see dogs that have been abused or abandoned go home to loving families.”
The inmates train the dogs to be more social so they are more likely to be adopted, said GEO K9 Program Manager Michelle Gaconnet.
Of the six dogs that were trained, five have been adopted.
Mary Gipson of Crandall is adopting the dog that her son, Paul Dixon, trained.
Dixon said the program taught him more about responsibility.
“This has brought a lot into my life,” he said through tears.
Inmate Bradley Waltermire agreed.
“You learn to give care to someone other than yourself,” he said.
The dogs lived with the inmates in their cells during the program. Inmates groomed them, fed them and attended to all of their needs.
“It’s like having a child,” Waltermire said. “They require all your time, attention and love.”
For information about Paws in Prison, contact McComis at 972-366-3334 or Gaconnet at 512-426-1794.
Misty Shultz can be reached
at 817-645-2441, ext. 2336,
or reporter2@trcle.com.
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