"A Three Fold Rescue"

During my research and communications, someone shared this link with me. The beauty of this video is unbelievable.  See below: 

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=29486201#iYHQ6vihiKBrjJAS.03

I love how the prisoners claim to feel a sense of connection and responsibility. 

Could you imagine feeling disconnected from the world, with no purpose? 

Meet Koninck

     The other day in class, my AP World teacher asked the class if anyone had an upcoming Senior Exit presentation. A few hands hesitantly raised, mine being one of them. He looked at me, asking what my topic was on. I excitedly explained to him that my presentation was on service dog training programs in prisons. Just as I shared this, my classmate Collin spoke up- he told me that his very own dog was a product of a dog training program from a nearby prison! I immediately got so excited and started asking him many questions. His dog, Koninck, was in a program known as "Carolina Paws: a New Leash on Life". Koninck was a puppy trained and loved in Brown Creek Correctional Institution.  

 Today, thanks to "A New Leash on Life", Koninck is a well behaved, loving and obedient dog. This just goes to show that the hard work put in by prisoners does not fail to be seen. This one dog affected an inmates life for the better, along with affecting his adopted family's life in a positive way. It's a win-win situation. 

Service Dog Training in Prison

     Prisoners are often known to hate themselves- hopeless, unhappy and haunted by shame and embarrassment. It is clear that an action plan must be executed to aid the mentally oppressed. Many prisons have adopted service dog training programs in order to act as therapy for their inmates.  One of many prison dog training programs, "Canine Companions for Independence" found particular success with an inmate, Sharon. Here follows an excerpt from the "Canine Companions for Independence" website. 

 While speaking at a CCI graduation ceremony after her release, Sharon said, “The puppies are our whole existence inside, although we have jobs and other activities, our constant companions come first.” She went on to explain how being a puppy raiser gave her purpose, and transformed her life. She shared, “I always had something to look forward to each and every day. Being a puppy raiser was a self-esteem builder for me and kept me from becoming hard hearted. I learned discipline, how to put something ahead of myself, and finally, I took responsibility for my actions.”

Click here to view the CCI website.

     I felt it was necessary to include this portion from the "Canine Companions for Independence" website, because it stood out to me. It's direct evidence of success from an inmate that went through a service dog training program. Something as simple as a puppy had the ability to completely turn around a woman's life. If that isn't heart warming, then I don't know what is!

My Topic- on a Personal Level.

      I've been an animal lover for as long as I can remember. I've always thought that animals have the power to heal people. I've always believed that animals are wise creatures. Like I said in my last post- it's proven that animals are good for your health- they can lower blood pressure, relieve depression,  etc. At the age of eight, I was diagnosed clinically depressed. As a young child, I felt out of place and different from the other kids. I lived at home with my mom, dad, drug addict brother, my cat and dog. Living with a drug addict was never easy. The everyday stress, hurt, fear- it felt like it wouldn't end. I always felt comfort in being with my pets and all my worries diminished when I was with my sweet dog and loving cat. So there it is- my brother, suffering with an illness, landing in jail multiple times. Then theres me- a strong believer in the power of an animals' love.
      My topic means more to me than just a 6 page paper and a required presentation to a panel of judges. I have enjoyed learning more about the power of a bond between a person and an animal. With service dog training programs, the inmate and the dog's life have been changed eternally.

Pets are Good for Your Health!

I think it is safe to say- puppies have the natural ability to cheer up just about any environment. Just look at that sweet face! 

 Believe it or not, having a pet companion can be good for your own health! According to the National Center for Health Research, "research studies have found that people who have a pet have healthier hearts, stay home sick less often, make fewer visits to the doctor, get more exercise, and are less depressed.  Pets may also have a significant impact on allergies, asthma, social support, and social interactions with other people."

http://center4research.org/healthy-living-prevention/pets-and-health-the-impact-of-companion-animals/#wsa-endnote-6

Mental Illness is Far too Prominent in Prisons

        According to the New York Times, as of July 2014, Rikers Prison has nearly 4,000 inmates (of the 11,000 total) suffering from a form of mental illness.  Most of these inmates' illnesses fail to be recognized and treated, and even if recognized, they cannot be forced into medication. Prisoners are known to hate themselves and those around them, have low self-respect, a multitude of self-disgust, and most commonly a lack of any form of connection with others (Gilligan). Inmates are far too commonly misunderstood and something should be done about this.

Why I Chose this Topic: a Reflection

              It was my 11th grade year in Mr. Folk's AP English class. We began discussing topic ideas for our six to eight page paper. I had trouble with this because I had no idea what to write about- I didn't want to write a 6 page paper on a pointless topic that I didn't care about or have any interest in! I wanted to write a paper about something that intrigued me. With this in mind, I began to make a list. This list included things I was interested in, things I cared about- things I was passionate about. At the top of my list, it read, "DOGS". I have always been a dog lover. A few words down, I wrote "CRIME".  I've always been a sucker for a good episode of Cops or Law and Order. With these two words in mind, I remembered something I heard about on the news that took my fascination- "Puppies Behind Bars".  I found my topic! "Puppies Behind Bars" is a service dog training program that takes place in prisons. I loved the idea of this program because it is beneficial for both the prisoner and dog. It causes inmates to learn dedication, responsibility, and boosts their self esteem. It helps the dog by teaching them obedience and the skills needed to be a certified service dog in the work force.