Incarcerated Men at Monroe Correctional Complex Find Purpose in Training Service Dogs

In a heartwarming initiative at the Monroe Correctional Complex, incarcerated men are finding purpose and hope through a unique program that involves training service dogs. Founded by Sue Meinzinger’s nonprofit, Summit Assistance Dogs, the program has been running since 2010 and has seen an increase in participants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program not only benefits the dogs, who are being trained to assist individuals with mobility impairments, but also has a profound impact on the prisoners involved. Inmates like James, serving a 30-year sentence for various convictions, have found a new sense of positivity and purpose through training dogs. James shared how the experience has transformed him and his fellow prisoners, making them more proactive, positive, and social.

The training sessions, held weekly, bring together prisoners and dogs in a unique learning environment. The dogs, mostly Labradors or golden retrievers, live with their incarcerated handlers at the prison for a period of 10 weeks at a time. The inmates take on different roles in the training process, either as handlers or dog walkers, and learn valuable skills that can be applied post-release.

The program not only teaches the prisoners how to train service dogs but also instills a sense of responsibility, empathy, and communication. Through positive reinforcement techniques, the inmates learn to shape the behavior of the dogs, a process that mirrors their own personal growth and development.

For many participants, like Andrew, who is serving a 46-year sentence for various convictions, the program offers a sense of accomplishment and a chance to give back to the community. Andrew, who has also been involved in similar programs at other prisons, emphasized the importance of the specific purpose behind the training at Monroe, which focuses on preparing dogs for mobility assistance tasks.

Overall, the Summit Assistance Dogs program at the Monroe Correctional Complex is not just about training dogs; it’s about transforming lives. Inmates like James, Andrew, and David Pillatos, who are all serving lengthy sentences, have found a sense of hope, purpose, and a valuable skill set that they can carry with them beyond their time behind bars. Through this innovative program, both humans and canines are reshaping their lives for the better.