Equine rescue & canine training

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS | EQUINE RESCUE & CANINE TRAINING

Equine Rescue Program
HISTORY Began in 2008 Department of Corrections (DOC) learned of the Department of Agriculture's (DOA) need for space for neglected and abused horses, specifically in the southern part of Georgia Former Pulaski State Prison Warden, Tom Chapman, contacted DOA to offer space for these neglected and abused horses
OVERVIEW Partnership with the DOA DOA confiscates neglected and abused horses and transports them to a DOC facility for care and treatment Horses are nursed back to health by offenders and then sold at auction Healthy horses are trained and cared for by offenders All medical, feed and necessary equipment is provided by the DOA Local DOA staff provide on-site evaluation of impounded animals and provide care and handling instruction to the offenders
PARTICIPANTS Must be high school graduates or hold a GED, read at a 12th grade level, complete the SAGE Occupational Assessment and match the skill sets identified to successfully complete the courses. Offenders must be within 18-36 months of their tentative parole month (TPM) or max out Crime type is reviewed and may preclude participation in the program Receive Veterinary Assistant/Animal Healthcare credit certificate form Middle Georgia Technical College
FACILITIES Lee Arrendale State Prison
7 stalls in a pole barn Enclosed hay barn Tack room 50 foot round pen 3, 5 acre pastures 3 corrals 1 paddock 1/2 mile riding trail

Pulaski State Prison 3 run-in shelters 4 pens 50 foot round pen 2 stalls 1 mile (approx.) riding trail 1 barn Sea container to keep hay and tack supplies
Rescued Dog Program
HISTORY Began in 2012
OVERVIEW First dog rescue program within the DOC Ten week program Rescues and rehabilitates dogs from area counties which would otherwise be euthanized while providing a positive impact on the offenders within the facility Once a month participants (if allowed) visit area animal control to clean stalls, kennels and runs
PARTICIPANTS Six offenders are selected for the program Selection begins by soliciting essays from offenders Thorough background checks of criminal histories and institutional behavior is assessed Offenders who pass the screening stage are interviewed by a panel
FACILITIES Colwell Probation Detention Center
Opened in September 2012 Special dorms for participants Dogs sleep in crates in the dorm Grooming room Pen

VISION Guide Dog Program
HISTORY Began at Metro State Prison in August 2002 as a collaboration with Southeastern Guide Dog, Inc in Florida and Middle Georgia Technical College Moved to Metro Transitional Center in 2011 when Metro SP closed Second program was started at Burruss Correctional Training Center in 2008
OVERVIEW Partnership with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. in New York Dogs (Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Shepherds, Collies and Standard Poodles) are brought into a facility and trained for 12 to 16 months Dogs are returned to Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind to complete their final orientation and mobility training for four to six months Upon completion of training the dog, it is matched with a visually impaired student Student and dog participate in a week of additional training at the Guide Dog School prior to returning to their home
PARTICIPANTS Must be high school graduates or hold a GED, read at the 12th grade level, complete SAGE Occupational Assessment and match the skill sets identified to successfully complete the courses

Offenders must be within 18-36 months of their tentative parole month (TPM) or max out
Crime type is also reviewed and may preclude participation in the program
Offenders earn two, 15 credit hour certificates through Middle Georgia Technical College Veterinary Assistant/Animal Healthcare Customer Service and Computer Technology
FACILITIES Burruss Correctional Training Center
8 to 10 dogs per handler Dogs are housed and sleep in a kennel/classroom with an
offender aide on duty At times, dogs sleep in dorms with their handler Handlers groom dogs daily as well as train and provide
structured playtime for dogs Class time for handlers always include their assigned dog
Metro Transitional Center 6 dogs and 10 long-term maintenance student handlers Dogs stay in rooms with handlers Dogs are able to go on outings to local shopping centers to expose them to experiences they will encounter when shopping with a vision impaired owner An officer, handler and a trainer from the Guide Dog School go on trips into the community two days per week Class time for the handlers always include their assigned dog

10/2012