Prisoner Pet Partnership Program - founder had a dobe as her service dog

Sister Pauline Founder of the Prison Pet Partnership Program

This taped news show was on one of my other lists and I wanted to share it. The Prison Pet Partnership Program was founded by Sister Pauline and has spawned many other programs like Pathways to Hope, that help dogs and prisoners all over the world. After seeing the video below I did a little google ing and found some great stories about Sr Paurline. I have heard of the Prison Dog Training program but had no idea it was as large and far reaching as it is and all started by Sister Pauline.

[video]http://www.justnews.com/video/25672382/index.html[/video]


(from the prison dogs blog.)

In 1981, she started the first prison dog program at the Washington State Correctional Center for Women. There were a number of people who helped her to start the program and maintained it after she left.


Dr Leo Bustad, the Dean of the Washington State Veterinarian College was very helpful to me and encouraged me to keep going when it was difficult to start.

Now there are prison dog programs all over the United States, Canada and Europe. Many unwanted dogs have been saved and those who are handicapped were given a special dog to help them.

Not only has this helped the inmates learn how to become ‘other’ centered; it has given them hope in their lives. It has shown them that they can be loved. Dogs love us unconditionally.

The success for change is through love. Those who have committed crimes need to be responsible and learn that there is a better life for them if they want it. People have changed their lives and gone on to start dog training centers, grooming shops and worked to help the handicapped once they were released.

The prison dog programs helps the inmates learn how to become ‘other’ centered. No matter how difficult our lives have been, if we give back to others, then we also help our own life.



Sr Pauline Quinn op

I have heard of the Prison Dog Training programs but had no idea it was as large and far reaching as it is and all started by Sister Pauline.

Here is a link to a page with a great video of photos from prisons and correctional facilities all over the us and even over seas.

PrisonPathways To Hope ~ Prison Dog Project: PRISON DOG RENI ~ HELPS MANY PEOPLE