Dogs, inmates get new leash on life
This was the second round of dogs to graduate from Albemarle’s obedience classes. The next three dogs that arrived Thursday should be fully trained in 8-10 weeks.
ALBEMARLE, N.C. -- A graduation ceremony was held Thursday at a Stanly County prison for a group of dogs trained in a unique program.
Shannon Brisson spent 10 weeks working with his trainee Rosco. The obedience training was Rosco’s last shot at being adopted from the animal shelter.
“It gives the dogs an absolute chance at life, because literally they were going to be euthanized if they didn't come into this program,” explained Sharon Gadd of the Stanly County Humane Society. “Just to see the commitment that these guys have made to these dogs just totally amazes me.”
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But the change in the trainers might be even more astounding. The inmates at Albemarle Correctional Institute were selected to be part of the New Leash on Life Program “to give these dogs a new leash on life,” said Renea Laxton of the Albemarle Correctional Institute. “Plus I've got six inmates that's got a new leash on life and they need to have a change in their life, they need something positive going on in their lives.”
“We've come here and done a lot of change and through this program we've done a lot more changes for the good,” said Brisson.
A handful of North Carolina prisons have similar dog training programs, and because of the success, many more are considering starting one.
This was the second round of dogs to graduate from Albemarle’s obedience classes. The next three dogs that arrived Thursday should be fully trained in 8-10 weeks.