First Class Graduates from New Leash on Life USABy Mindy Bogue

New Leash on Life USA graduated the first class of its pilot program on October 24. Four at-risk shelter dogs were saved, and six inmates learned how to train and care for dogs while gaining other essential job skills. After the eleven-week session, four of the six inmates paroled were still working with animals: three interning at animal shelters and the fourth receiving further instruction from a dog trainer.

The goal is to save shelter dogs by teaching participants to train the them, enhancing the dogs’ adoptability. They live with their inmate trainers, who have sessions with professional dog trainers, animal behaviorists, and veterinary technicians. The Philadelphia Prison System selects the prisoners who participate; those selected cannot have a record of animal, sex, or child abuse.

New Leash on Life USA has partnered with The Pennsylvania Prison Society and JEVS Human Services to provide job readiness and life skills training for the participants. The prisoners attend workshops that address the challenges confronting many former offenders — frustration, lack of self-confidence, and the attraction of old ways of surviving.

New Leash on Life USA founder and director, Marian Marchese, says, “[The prisoners] got internships because people from shelters were impressed by how good they were with the dogs after just eleven weeks.” She also praises Prison Commissioner Louis Giorla and Warden Karen Bryan, who were instrumental in starting this program in the Philadelphia Prison System on State Road.

There were many big-name speakers at the graduation —such as former Governor Ed Rendell — but the dogs were hit of the ceremony. All six inmate graduates received early parole, and all four dogs were adopted into loving homes; both inmates and dogs get another chance for survival and acceptance.