Saint Francis Service Dogs Summer 2018

The Saint Francis Prison Pup Program is a partnership between Saint Francis Service Dogs and Virginia Department of Corrections at Bland Correctional Center, which is a medium-security prison that holds approximately 650 male offenders. The partnership accommodates the need for puppy raisers while providing the inmates with an entertaining, meaningful, yet challenging job while incarcerated. The thriving program began with 3 inmate puppy raisers in 2002 and expanded to 24 puppy raisers by 2018.

of the puppy to another puppy raiser. Needless to say, puppy raisers work hard to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. The puppies thrive in prison. They enjoy a consistent schedule, with lots of time for learning, playing and constant companionship. Most Saint Francis puppies spend time in prison under the tutelage of the approved offenders, where the puppies are gently guided in the areas of socialization, manners, and obedience, which will advance them toward the ultimate goal of becoming a Saint Francis Service Dog.

There is an ongoing waiting list of applicants who

are trying to earn their role in the program. Prior to acceptance into the program, the prison counselor who manages the participants appoints the puppy raisers after an extensive screening of the applicants, a comprehensive review of the offender’s criminal history, a conduct assessment, and an interview. The prison counselor is a liaison to Saint Francis, overseeing the men and communicating with the Saint Francis Puppy Program Manager regularly. The job of puppy raiser at Bland is considered to be a coveted privilege earned by the men for good behavior. The participants must maintain near- perfect behavior in all aspects of prison life to stay in the program. A breach of any rule or regulation results in the termination of their job, and the transfer

The men train the puppies applying methods approved, taught, and monitored by Saint Francis. The Saint Francis Puppy Program Manager teaches the men training techniques, evaluates the progress of the puppies, and troubleshoots training issues. The puppies offer love, comfort, humor, and sources of relaxation while exposing the puppy raisers to reward-based motivation. The men learn about dog psychology, teamwork, and social support. The program improves the morale of the inmate population as a whole and helps to break down barriers of fear and mistrust while offering a positive, worth-while link to the people Saint Francis serves. Raising puppies is an active way in which the incarcerated men can contribute something positive to society.

The Prison Pup Program is transformational on many levels:

 The Prison Pup Program has made a trans- formational impact on the inmates for over

16 years. The men have proven to be successful trainers, consistently producing excellent results with the dogs in their care. It is a top priority to maintain the high standards of the program so that we can train and place more service dogs

their emotions and learn to be a caregiver.

The program has increased morale throughout the prison as a whole and is credited with the reduction of disciplinary actions across the prison population.



without sacrificing the quality of our program.  Caring for the puppies reduces the men’s stress level, sense of isolation, and fear, while they gain a sense of belonging and accomplishment. Training young puppies occupies their minds and keeps them focused on a positive goal.  Raising a puppy for a person with a disability gives meaning and purpose to the lives of the inmates. The experience of nurturing young puppies helps them get in touch with

 The program helps the puppy raisers build useful skills that translate to life after incarceration, and for some, this is the foundation of their career plan upon release.  The program aids in the rehabilitation of the men by strengthening their interpersonal relationship skills, bolstering their self-esteem, and teaching them how to be a part of a team.

 The program teaches the puppy raisers responsibility while they learn to focus their attention on something positive and productive. They are given an opportunity to make a course correction in their life, which benefits society.  The program helps rehabilitate the men so that they can rebuild their lives, and has reduced the rate of recidivism with the participating inmates. The Puppy Program at Bland Correctional Center would like to thank the congregation of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Galax, VA for their generous “Christmas in July” donations!

“This program has taught me patience, how to cope with stressful situations, and that it’s not all about me. The dogs bring me joy and a sense of fulfillment.”

“The dogs l leadership so I step up t and raise m to be the b teacher f

“Working with the dogs has taught me patience, humility, compassion, consistency, accountability, work ethic, and how to be a part of a team.”

“This program has its own ecosystem within the prison… a community that helps one another. We work together, keep each other motivated and

cheer each other on.”

“I never liked to read before, but now I read books on dogs. I’m learning about dog psychology, which is teaching me about myself and others.” “This program has humbled me in a fun, challenging way. I’ve learned that you get out of life what you put in… no one is entitled.” “This program is rewarding because I know I’m helping to improve someone else’s life.”

ok to me for nd guidance, the challenge personal bar t leader and r my dog.”

“My challenges in society revolve around my lack of communication. Training dogs is teaching me how to be a better communicator. I am applying my new communication skills with the other inmates, and am looking forward to using what I’ve learned on the outside with my family and at work.”

“My dog thinks I’m a good person, so I try to live up to who she believes I am.”

in memory of Staciu, Lady, and Morgan Shannon Shaffer in memory of Meko Underwood William Shaffer in memory of Kenneth Motley Doris Simpson in memory of my parents and Shirley Durrant Eberle Smith in memory of Dr. Jim Lampros Kris Sorensen in memory of Stir Fry Linda Sorrells in memory of Norvella Mawyer Gloria Vaughan in memory of Tasha Niki Voudren in memory of Stir Fry Dr. Courtney Wiegard in memory of Ms. Syndey Rickerson Doug Willoughby in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Young Deana Wright in memory of Zeus Revels

Angie and Mark Hannah in memory of Marley Doty and Eileen Lowe Joanne Hawley in memory of Webster Nan Heinbaugh in memory of Suzie Patti and Bob Herskovitz in memory of Gizmo Jeff and Katie Highfill in memory of Sally Randy and Joanne Holden in memory of Gizmo Colyn and Mary Leigh Howard in memory of Shadow Diane and Richard Jackson in memory of Dixie Leilani Kaulback in memory of Amy Lauth Carol King in memory of Gordon L. King Karen Koch in memory of Lani Koch Gloriadene Lancaster in memory of Helen Young Mary Ann Lee in memory of Brian Lee Pamela Lewis in memory of Rhonda G. McCann Ginger Lynch in memory of Raider Cindy Martin in memory of Sampson J.T. McBroom in memory of June M. McBroom Donna and Robert McCray in memory of Macy Paroline Rebecca McCray-Brown in memory of Macy Cheryl and Rich McIntyre in memory of Frank "Bo" Mazzan Merl and Shireen Merritt in honor of Mary Elyn and Robert McNichols Kathy, Richard, and Drew Miller in memory of Dane Austin Miller and Madison Mt. Vernon Homeowners Assoc. in memory of Diane Andrews and Lucille Graham Barbara Neal in memory of Chilean Jerry and Janice Quesenberry in memory of Precious Erin Meador Robin and Thomas Ranger in memory of Steve Pixley Rita Reynolds in memory of Louisa Milholin Joseph and Barbara Sciacca

Sandi Adkins in memory of Jimmy J. Short Jan Barnett in memory of Aries Scott and Helen Barrier in memory of Nancy Kete Givens David Baumgardner in memory of Mike Connor Joseph Brabant in memory of Carol Willoughby John and Matilda Bradshaw in memory of Louise F. Kegley Matilda Bradshaw in memory of Johnie Johnson Warren and Kim Brock in memory of Sassy Rebecca Brown in memory of Zoey McCray Madeline Bruggeman in memory of Lyle and Trina Jody and Mark Bundy in memory of D.F. "Jack" Watson Helen Burch in memory of Jay McMahon Carlton, Margaret, Tom, and Cindy in memory of Molly Sharon and Carlis Carroll in memory of Lance Moore and Dorothy A. Mundy The Cogens in memory of River John and Kathryn Cowlbeck in memory of Ralph Vencille Ray and Nancy Cunningham in memory of Pat Perrottino and Sampson Sharon Custer-Boggess in memory of Sue Karr Doris Day in memory of Pastor A. Wayne Riggs Carole Denney and Joseph Dameron in memory of Virginia Dameron Jenny Dickerson in memory of George C. Terry Dixie in memory of Moose Deborah Duerk in memory of Lyle and Moose John and Anne Everhart in memory of Rocky Westuba Jim Fetter in memory of Sara B. Ruona Rand and Jan Garrett in memory of Madison Virginia Gibbs in memory of Ginger Repass Gibbs Mr. and Mrs. Michael Gross in memory of Abby

Judy Cox Pam Robbins Jerold and Diane Dodson Mavahi Class of '62 Niki Voudren Stephen and Pamela Westfall Sara Najjar-Wilson

Rocky, Midnight, Munchkin, Cheddar, Skeeter, Jupiter, Max, Baily, Rocky, Jack

Mason, Frankie, Zeus, Patsy, Gracie, Tango, Sarge, Sam, Angel, Sasha, Duke, Rocky, Scarlett, Humphrey, Moose, Bailey, Sister, Brutus, Sonja, Ollie, Chandler, Charlotte, Bubbles, Belle, Walker, Dixie, Oliver, Sandy, Chance, Oreo

Deborah Duerk Carolyn and Thomas Rhodes Niki Voudren

Patricia Dowd in honor of The Saint Francis Trainers Lind and Debby Farley in honor of William and Zayd Sean and Lina Francisco in honor of Bob and Patti Herskovitz

Janice and Jerry Quesenberry Eugene and Judy Thompson Joyce Thompson

Dennis and Brenda Albert Kathryn Amos Tanya and Stan Applebaum and Family Bert and Marilynn Belk Adelle and Michael Benyo Philip Brimer

Helen Jones in honor of Jake Jones Gloriadene Lancaster in honor of Janet Wynot Mary Lois Lanier "Granny" in honor of Grey Edwards Lanier Cathy and Nick Leitch in honor of Elizabeth Nemore Diana Lo Vecchio in honor of The Bagley Children Patricia Meyer in honor of the marriage of Dr. and Mrs. David Hemerick Elizabeth Osborne in honor of Bob and Patti Herskovitz James Pate in honor of Joe Gilbert Broce, Sr., Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Shirley Perdue in honor of Abby Frost and JoJo Kristen Pilarski in honor of Tom Pilarski Ryan and Katie Read in honor of Reece Hoggan The Trust Company of Virginia in honor of Elfleda Ring Patricia Young in honor of CCS Employees

Tim and Babette Cribbs Diana and James Dawson Mary Frances Donnelly Fred Duncan

Nancy and James Boyd Carol Claytor Jenny Fritz Ron and Lillian Halterman Harding

Venice Edwards Nancy Farthing Douglas and Phyllis Garnett-Deakin Leah and Alston Gore Thomas and Patricia Gresham Courtney and Anne Hoge Stephen and Carolyn Holskey Wilson and Ann Hux Dixon Low Sandra McCutcheon Margaret Perkins Linda Pierpoint Brian, Alberto and Nico Richardson-Varona Charles and Elizabeth Speight

Bonnie and James Crotts Robert Janney and Family Ken and Ann Journell Susan Kaakani

Lana Kidd Sally Laws Rebecca McCray-Brown Dawn Nagy Park Place Neighborhood Watch Association David and Renee Turk Sherry Wampler Gary and Bonnie Whitley

Clem Bebee Rebecca and William Chen Margaret Collins Christine Egner Gregory and Nancy Kaylor Maddi Klein Eileen Hartman

Kathy and Rocky Stewart Robert and Carol White The Bailey Family

Robin and Allen Brooks Lee Fitzgerald Rebecca Whiteside and David Irvin

Diane Heim Eileen Kelly Peter Kirkham Carol Lindsey and Andrina McCaffrey Fred, Marcia, Alice, Crawford, and Sarah Simpkins

David and Christine Risi in recognition of Abbey Risi Harold and Marion McComsey in recognition of Puddles and Lexi

Ingrid and Jerry Reed Ron and Bonnie Stokes Ben and Nita Tennison Randall White Beth and Bill Whitley

Ralph and Nancy Smith John and Joanne Stevens

Dean and Lisa Bernd in honor of Chips Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Bradshaw, Jr. in honor of Peter and Fleda Ring John and Mary Carlin in honor of The Staff at Saint Francis Service Dogs Robert Casey in honor of Kris Sorensen Judith Conley in honor of Stephen J. Aukward Bob and Mimi Copenhaver in honor of Charmaine Carmack

George and Adele Becker Mary Jo and Kevin Berlon Donna Bunch Diane and David Chong Robert and Patricia Crossley Raymond and Anna Geis Nancy Hartlaub Christopher and Denise Miller Joyce Neuhauser Marcelle Toma

P.O. Box 19538 8232 Enon Drive Roanoke, VA 24019 (540) 342-3647 www.saintfrancisdogs.org

Saint Francis Service Dogs is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that raises and trains service dogs for children and adults with disabilities. An envelope is enclosed for your convenience if you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to support the mission of Saint Francis Service Dogs. A financial statement is available upon written request from the Virginia Office of Consumer Affairs.