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From Sister Pauline:
To start a program, there must be a sincere focus in helping the lives of the inmates and to really make a
difference to help rehabilitate them. To warehouse inmates, punish them and then throw them back out into
the community does not rebuild damage lives but rather it builds more anger and disrespect to authorities.
The Dog programs that have allowed a personal approach are the programs that succeed.
I hope that prison dog programs will base their programs on mutual respect and dignity, where love is the
focus more than control and intimidation. If you want people to return to society, focused on being better
persons, then the ingredient of love needs to be included.
The prison dog programs help the inmates learn how to become "other" centered, thus giving something back
to society. The inmates learn needed skills in order to help them get jobs when they are released. They also
learn responsibility, patience, tolerance, as well as being good trainers with kindness and love.
Years ago I had a dream of doing something that will help others, using our faithful friend, the dog. It
seemed like an impossible dream since I didn't have the money, tools, the understanding of how it could all
come together. Yet my dream didn't fade away. It was always there. In 1981 I started the first prison
dog program where the inmates rescued unwanted dogs and trained them to help the handicapped or re-homed
them to go and loving forever homes.
The only way you can ever achieve your dreams, especially without having the money, skills or the people
behind you is to try anyway to do it and never give up. Because I didn't give up, I started the first prison
dog program in Washington State at the Correctional Center for Women and after that started other
programs across the country.
Follow your dream. If it doesn't succeed, another door will open. Helping others brought purpose to my
life. I work for no pay. I work to help people and that is my greatest reward if I am able to help
someone's life.
You can get more information on the incredible work of Sister Pauline at:
| In partnership with Sister Pauline Quinn, PAL Humane Society has begun two "Prison" programs in the High Desert. The first at the High Desert Juvenile Detention Center, the second at the Federal Correctional Institution both located in Victorville. Both of these programs are "Pilot" programs for these institutions, they will bring Animal Assisted Therapy and Education to the Minors and Inmates. |
| Sanger B Powers Correctional... Oneida, Wisconsin |
| Washington State Correctional... Gig Harbor, Washington |
| York Correctional Institution... Niantic, Connecticut |
| California Institution for Women... Chino, California |
| Dwight Correctional Facility... Dwight, Illinois |
| New Hampshire Correctional... New Hampshire |
| Dwight Correctional Facility... Dwight, Illinois |
| Stark Youth Correctional Facility... Chino, California |
- The H.D.J.D.A.C. program, aptly named B.A.R.K., (Building Attachments Rehabilitating
Kids) focuses on teaching Youth at Risk humane treatment of animals and general animal
care as well as an opportunity for those on "good behavior" to have hands on Dog Training
classes. Self esteem, responsibility, patience, love and compassion are just a few of
the things these classes help to teach the kids.
- The Federal Correctional Institution in Victorville will be vocational in nature, the
inmates will have an opportunity to earn various certificates such as Kennel Attendant,
Animal Shelter Management, Dog Trainer etc.
In both institutions, the inmates & minors will assist PAL staff trainers in training
rescued dogs, giving them obedience skills and good manners. These dogs will then be
re-homed into the community to "Forever homes".