Our Prison Partners

Ms. Delosh - Tails Program SCI PINE GROVE

How the program affects the handlers.

The handlers take a lot of pride in being in the program. They openly admit that they have learned a lot of patience and the ability to take their time to complete a task. Handlers have learned how to react to criticism and being told they cannot do something. When dogs excel they celebrate each other’s victories and offer help to each other when struggling. Working closely with staff members have assisted them in improving communication skills.

When handlers are informed of successful dog placement, they become overjoyed and show a feeling of pride. Updates of a dog’s progress gives them a feeling of accomplishment evidenced by smiles and a “bounce” in their step. 

Ms. Smith - Tails Program SCI PINE GROVE

Having the dog program in jail helps in a number of ways. First of all, it brings a sense of calm to the unit. Everyone, from staff to the inmates, enjoys watching the dogs grown and learn. They can make a bad moment or day better just by coming up and wanting to be petted. The pride and sense of accomplishment the men experience is overwhelming. To know that what is taught here helps to change someone’s life for the better. Also, getting to watch the inmates change in front of us is very rewarding. They become more patient and responsible adults. To provide this service to the community not only helps those in need, but also changes the image of jail to people.

Answers from the inmates about the Tails Dog Program at SCI PINE GROVE 

1. How the TAILS program affected me?

It has taught me patience, responsibility, trust, commitment, humility, given me pride, a sense of accomplishment, giving back to the community, a high level of self-esteem, and given me a greater sense of purpose. It affects me mentally, even when I’m having a bad day or just upset about something at home, they bring me back to a happier place.  It has shown me that I am capable of changing someone’s life. I love watching the dogs grow from and 8-week-old puppy into a trained Service dog, destined to make a resounding difference in somebody’s life. The TAILS program has completely changed my life and affects me in positive ways every single day. 

2. My feelings about the program.

My feelings about the TAILS program are almost indescribable. The program not only teaches you a great skill and lets you master it but teaches you all the qualities that will make you a better person in life. The most predominant feeling that this program gives me is Pride. I feel that you learn your strengths and weaknesses when caring for another being other than myself. I feel that this program is a huge POSITIVE in my day-to-day life and anyone who comes in contact with the dogs. People look at dog handlers differently, they see us trying to change our ways, while helping someone else. This is not a feeling but my opinion:” I think an inmate is the best one for the task of getting these dogs prepared. An inmate has nothing but extra time to give the dog… It helps us become better people in prison because we don’t want to lose what we have”. 

3. How I feel about making a difference in someone’s life.

I truly don’t know how to put into words my feeling on this, it brings me great joy knowing I made a real difference in someone’s life. The overall, consensus is Pride and satisfaction. It is rewarding to know I made a difference in someone’s life. 

4.  How having the TAILS program in prison has made a difference?

It brings light to what is mostly a dark place. It offers you a chance to change who you use to be and become someone who you want to be. It makes people’s emotional health noticeably more positive. The dogs are very calming and are very accepting of anybody. No matter what mistakes you may have made in the past, the dog will never judge you. It has taught me how to communicate with others and be a responsible person. As a result of the criteria required to become a dog handler and to live on this unit as a non-dog handler the quality and caliber of individuals that I’m surrounded by has allowed me to connect more with more people in a positive and personal level more easily and has put that part of my life in a much better place than it has been in a very long time. The commitment, learning and discipline that the canine program demands of both the dogs and the handlers creates an atmosphere of growth and positive change. The atmosphere is such a wonderful place to live within.