Inmates' prison pups

WAYNESBURG, Pa. - The 15 inmates chosen to train Labrador retriever service dogs at the state prison in Greene didn't get much sleep the first night that five puppies spent in their block in March 2014.

"I don't know if they were expecting the whimpering all night and the bathroom breaks," said Tina Staley, the prison's program coordinator.

"It was different. They cried the first night, and they all had puffy eyes the next morning," she said of the men paired up with the dogs. "It brought humanity to the jail."

More than a year later, the five adult females finished their basic obedience lessons and are now prepared to begin their next phase with the Canine Partners for Life program that matches up service animals with people who need them. A graduation ceremony for the dogs and their trainers was held last month at State Correctional Institution-Greene.

As the recipients walked up to receive their certificates, all five dogs gave a shake and knocked off the graduation mortarboards placed on their heads, bringing a chuckle from the audience.

"It's been a great experience," said Richard, an inmate who helped to train Amber.

Eric, who worked with Suka, raised dogs growing up, and this experience brought back the "unconditional love" he remembered. "I wouldn't trade any day or second for any of the time I spent with those dogs," he said.

The program had some detractors when SCI-Greene Superintendent Robert Gilmore and others pitched the idea in October 2013. Gilmore witnessed similar programs at other prisons he oversaw, he said, so he knew it could work.

"Initially, there were naysayers," Gilmore said. "Clearly, we didn't believe that was the consensus."

Instead, he saw changes in the men who interacted daily with the animals. There was neither pay nor direct benefits from working in the program. However, Gilmore said, the inmates have the satisfaction of knowing they helped someone in need.