Prison dog training programs have recently received national media attention and have even been highlighted in
Prison dog training programs have recently received national media attention and have even been highlighted in documentary films.
The Richmond area is fortunate to have had one such program operating in our own backyard for the past 15 years. Managed by FETCH a Cure, the Pixie’s Pen Pals program connects local-area rescue dogs with inmates at Virginia correctional centers to train and socialize dogs in need of adoption, while also providing rehabilitation and life skill development opportunities for inmates.
With guidance and instruction from professional dog trainers, inmates use positive reinforcement training to ensure that those who adopt a dog from the program have a well-trained and socialized pup joining their family. As the FETCH a Cure website states, Pixie’s Pen Pals “enriches the lives of dogs, inmates, and adopters.” With an estimated 1,100 dogs saved since the program’s original inception in 2001, Pixie’s Pen Pals has facilitated a lot of win-win-wins throughout these past 15 years.
To get a better sense of how the program works, how it is designed, and the benefits for the dogs, adopters, and inmates, I spoke with Sarah Hornberger, the Pixie’s Pen Pals Program Coordinator.
This content was shared with RVAMag as part of a new partnership with the RVA Dog Blog – click through here to read the rest of this story.
