Inmates at a Maine Prison are Being Paired With Puppies
Located in Warren, Maine it is said that there is very important work being done within the walls of the prison and it all has to do with puppy dogs.
According to News Center Maine, pairing inmates with puppies will help give them a new purpose. This nonprofit is also helping change the lives of Vets by pairing them up with puppies as well.
National nonprofit America's VetDogs are providing the puppies to help the prisoners. This program was opened in 2017 within the Maine State Prison, according to the article. Their purpose is,
to bring in puppies that prison residents help train to eventually become service dogs for veterans and first responders around the country. The dogs could be addressing either mental health needs, like struggles with PTSD, or physical disabilities. Either way, organizers say the program is an important one.
The logic behind this program is instead of enforcing negative they are offering positive help from animals, in order to assist these prisoners with an array of struggles, according to the article.
The prisoners and vets help to raise the puppies and train them to get them ready for their forever homes.
Below is a video from YouTube that shows the affects of this program.
In addition, a study was done that shows a dog can make you feel better.
According to The Washington Post,
Scientists believe that the major source of people's positive reactions to pets comes from oxytocin, a hormone whose many functions include stimulating social bonding, relaxation and trust, and easing stress. Research has shown that when humans interact with dogs, oxytocin levels increase in both species.
It goes on to say that the study showed that when people connect with dogs, they're oxytocin raises, not just in the human, but also the dog. That in turn, will make you more positive.
The prison program manager for America's VetDogs, Paula Giardinella says,
"It’s a win-win situation. The inmates win because they learn valuable skills. The dogs win because they get so much time and attention and early training. The veterans obviously win."
The inmates are able to work with the dogs all day long for the entire week. This happens for a little over a year and then they part with the dogs as they head to New York for they're final training.
According to the article, Unit Manager, Scot Harvey said that the program has been beneficial with the residents and has increased the happiness all around.
This program is wonderful to have because it is not doing any harm, it is only offering happiness and positive achievement and connection to inmates and Vets.