paws4prisons_TM
SlammerDogZ_TM
Program

paws4prisons_TM - SlammerDogZ_TM Program Description & Missions:

The paws4prisons_TM - SlammerDogZ_TM Program is a paws4people_TM K-9 Training Institute (KTI) Program and as such supports of the core operational missions of paws4people_TM.

The PRIMARY and FOREMOST purpose of the paws4prisons_TM Program is to train and produce the specifically (custom) trained Assistance Dogs and Community Dogs for placement and/or utilization within various paws4people_TM Programs.

The SECONDARY purpose of the paws4prisons_TM Program is to function as an educational / training program for selected Federal inmates.

paws4prisons_TM - SlammerDogZ_TM K-9 Training Programs:

All K-9 training curriculums, training methods, command sets and program guidelines are conducted under the management supervision and in accordance with the guidelines and standards of KTI.

The paws4prisons_TM Assistance Dog Training Program obtains specifically selected dogs that are screened for personality, disposition, temperament, and trainability. These dogs are then trained to perform as Service Dogs, Educational or Rehabilitative Assistance Dogs, Social-Therapy Dogs providing services for individuals with physical, neurological, psychiatric and/or emotional disabilities.

The paws4prisons_TM Shelter Rescue Dog Training Program obtains dogs from "pounds," shelters or "rescue" groups. These dogs are then trained, as Community Dogs, to perform at the "basic" obedience level. Once these dogs reach this level of training they are generally returned to the "pound," shelter or "rescue" group for adoptive placement. The training provided significantly increases the dogs' chances of being successfully adopted and remaining in its adoptive home. This significantly decreases the possibility of the dog being euthanized.

Training within these programs is conducted by carefully selected and trained Federal inmates. These inmates work under the direct supervision of KTI trainers and staff personnel.

Types of dogs trained within the paws4prisons_TM - SlammerDogZ_TM K-9 Training Programs:

Service Dogs - An Assistance Dog specially trained to enable individuals with disabilities to lead more independent lives by performing tasks that the person otherwise could not, or would have extreme difficulty doing for him/herself. The Private Placement Candidates [PPC] for these dogs are generally confined to a wheelchair.

These dogs are trained within KTI's Service Dog Training Program.

Educational Assistance Dogs - An Assistance Dog specially trained to perform inside the special and regular education classrooms as part of an Animal-Assisted Instructional Program. These dogs assist teachers in performing their duties using a new educational tool - the dog. The dog provides motivation for the students to learn and dramatically increases the teacher's productivity and effectiveness. These dogs must be able to handle classroom and special education environments, as well as be able to work with students having all types of physical, neurological, psychiatric, emotional disabilities and/or behavioral problems.

These dogs are trained within KTI's Educational Assistance K-9 Training Program.

Rehabilitative Assistance Dogs - An Assistance Dog specially trained to assist therapists, patients and/or families who are affected by:

severe physical injury: These dogs assist Occupational Therapists [OT] and Physical Therapists [PT] in their treatment of patients.

severe psychological trauma such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]: These dogs assist mental health therapists in their treatment of patients or are actually placed with a PTSD patient as part of their treatment plan.

family members who suffer from neurological, psychiatric and/or emotional disabilities: These dogs aid in, and in some cases speed up, a patient's recovery.

These dogs are trained within KTI's Rehabilitative Assistance Dog Training Program.

Social-Therapy Dogs - Dogs that are usually obtained from pounds, shelters, or rescue groups that are then trained to perform at the Intermediate Obedience level. Once these dogs reach this level of training they are generally placed with Spouseless Seniors providing life enhancing companionship.

Dogs that are primarily privately-owned by paws4people_TM volunteers, that have successfully passed an evaluation process which looks at breed type, personality, disposition, temperament and training level of the dog, and the proficiency of the Handler to work his/her dog. Successful candidates (Handlers and dogs) are then provided with additional situational and environmental training which when "certifies" them to conduct General Visitation "Pet Therapy" visits to nursing homes, hospitals and/or Hospice facilities.

These dogs are trained within KTI's Shelter/Rescue Training Program, (SRTP) and/or KTI's General Visitation Training Program.

Community Dogs - Dogs usually obtained from pounds, shelters, rescue groups, or direct rescue placements, which are then trained to perform at the Intermediate Obedience level. Once these dogs reach this level of training they are generally returned to the pound, shelter, or rescue group for adoptive placement. The training provided significantly increases the dogs' chances of being successfully adopted and remaining in its adoptive home. This significantly decreases the possibility of the dog being euthanized.

These dogs are trained within KTI's Shelter/Rescue Training Program.

paws4prisons_TM - SlammerDogZ_TM Inmate Training Programs:

This aspect of the program provides the inmates with;

The opportunity to learn and experience the K-9 / Human bond; based on unconditional love and acceptance, and,

The opportunity to gain variable post-prison marketable job skills, obtain professional certifications [dog trainer, kennel master, etc.], self-discipline, a work-ethic and on-the-job experience, all aimed at increasing the inmates chances for successful employment upon their release from prison. [Other similar programs have realized remarkable reductions in recidivism rates.]

Inmate Selection Criteria for Participation in the Program

Inmate positions within the program will be made known to the general inmate population. Inmates will be selected based on an application process. Inmates must accomplish an application and produce a short resume, and thereby apply for each available inmate position. Inmates will be selected for initial interviews for each position based upon a review of their application and resume, in conjunction with the following criteria:

Inmate possesses a GED or higher level of education, or is within six months of completing of their GED upon their entry into the Program. [Note: Successful completion of the GED within six months of entering the Program is required to remain in the Program.]

Inmate has NO history of animal or child abuse.

Obtain clearance and approval to participate in the Program by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) department; counseling, educational and psychological.

Inmate must successfully complete an interview process. The final interview shall consist of a panel of BOP personnel along with at least one, or no more than three, representative(s) of paws4people_TM.

Inmates selected for participation in the Program shall have a minimum amount of time remaining in their sentence dependent upon the facility at which the program is being conducted.

Inmate Program - Positions:

Inmate K-9 Training Tutor

The Inmate in this position is responsible to provide necessary and required K-9 Command Set training to less experienced inmates when KTI training personnel are not on-site. This individual is also responsible to coordinate and communicate any K-9 Command Set training issues, concerns or interruptions disputes to the KTI training staff. This individual is responsible to ensure that Command Set training is performed properly and in accordance with KTI methodology at all times when KTI training personnel are not on-site. This individual will be selected by the KTI training staff based upon a proved knowledge and through understanding of KTI training requirements and methods, and appointed to this position with the concurrence of the BOP facility Program Administrator. This position is normally filled after the program has been in operation within a BOP facility for at least six months.

Inmate K-9 Academic Tutor

The Inmate in this position is responsible to provide necessary and required K-9 Academic Behavioral and Course training ["Principles, Theory, and Application of Service Dog Training"] to less experienced inmates when KTI training personnel are not on-site. This individual is also responsible to coordinate and communicate K-9 Academic training issues, concerns or interruptions disputes to the KTI training staff. This individual is responsible to ensure that Academic training is performed properly and in accordance with KTI methodology at all times when KTI training personnel are not on-site. This individual will be selected by the KTI training staff based upon a proved knowledge and through understanding of KTI Academic training requirements and methods, and appointed to this position with the concurrence of the BOP facility Program Administrator. This position is normally filled after the program has been in operation within a BOP facility for at least six months.

Inmate K-9 Trainer - Primary Handler

The Inmate in this position is responsible to provide all necessary and required K-9 Command Set training to the specific K-9 to which he/she is assigned. This individual will be responsible for the successful completion of the appropriate training Command Set for his/her specifically assigned K-9. This individual is also responsible to assist in the training of any Alternate Handler(s) assigned to his/her specific K-9. When KTI training personnel are not on-site, this individual will communicate any K-9 training issues, questions or concerns to the Inmate K-9 Training Tutor or the BOP Facility Program Administrator. When KTI training personnel are not on-site, this individual will communicate any K-9 Academic (care or treatment) issues, questions or concerns to the Inmate K-9 Academic Tutor or the BOP Facility Program Administrator.

Inmate K-9 Trainer - Alternate Handler

The Inmate in this position is responsible to assist in providing all necessary and required K-9 Command Set training to the specific K-9 to which he/she is assigned. When KTI training personnel are not on-site, this individual will communicate any K-9 training issues, questions or concerns to his/her Primary Handler or the BOP Facility Program Administrator. Successful completion and/or recognition of the performance of duties within this position can lead to elevation to the position of Primary Handler.

Inmate K-9 Trainer - Physical Fitness Handler

The Inmate in this position is responsible for the daily (prescribed) physical fitness training requirements for the K-9 or K-9s to which he/she is assigned. When KTI training personnel are not on-site, this individual will communicate any K-9 physical fitness training issues, questions or concerns to his/her Primary Handler or the BOP Facility Program Administrator. Successful completion and/or recognition of the performance of duties within this position can lead to elevation to the positions of Primary Handler or Alternate Handler.

Inmate K-9 Support Specialist / Admin & Logistics

The Inmate in this position is responsible for the daily administrative and logistical functioning of the overall program. Some of the responsibilities include:

• To ensure the daily K-9 Daily Training Reports are accomplished for each Program K-9.

• To ensure the bi-weekly K-9 Training Reports are accomplished for each Program K-9.

• To copulate bi-weekly Training Statistics and Reports for the entire Program.

• To ensure that all required in-processing and out-processing requirements are accomplished for each K-9 that comes into or exits the Program.

• To ensure all Program supplies and equipment are accounted for and that adequate levels of each are maintained.

• To dispense the daily K-9 food, supplement, etc. Maintaining an adequate inventory levels to prevent running out of food, supplements, etc.

• Maintain monthly K-9 preventative health care and medical records.

• Maintain monthly K-9 grooming and hygiene records.

• Other admin or logistic duties as deemed necessary by program requirements.

Inmate K-9 Support Specialist / Assistant Newsletter Editor

The Inmate in this position is responsible for the writing of all newsletter articles concerning the program as requested by KTI training or management staff. This individual will also act as an editor for other inmates who are requested to write specific newsletter articles by the KTI training or management staff. In this role this individual shall aid the other inmate in editing, proofing or content suggestion. This position will also serve as the Program on-site photographer. As such this individual should develop and weekly routine of producing 10+ photographs covering Program activities. This individual is also responsible to take all K-9 in-processing and out-processing photographs and the bi-weekly photographs for each Program K-9.

This individual shall work with the BOP Program Administrator to fulfill any/all BOP required security release clearance for said articles and photographs so that the timely release of them is made to KTI program managers.