2018 equine & canine training fact sheet

FACT SHEET
EQUINE & CANINE TRAINING

2018

GREGORY C. DOZIER COMMISSIONER TIMOTHY C. WARD CHIEF OF STAFF JAY SANDERS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

Equine & Canine Training are vocational programs provided to state's offenders. The equine program is provided to female offenders at Pulaski and Lee Arrendale State Prisons. Three canine training and rescue programs are provided to female and male offenders at Colwell Probation Detention Center, Burruss Correctional Training Center, and Lee Arrendale State Prison. Offenders receive certificates through partnerships with the Technical College System.

EQUINE RESCUE PROGRAM
HISTORY
Began in 2008 GDC 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 DOA DOA confiscates neglected and abused horses
and transports them to a GDC facility for care and treatment Horses are nursed back to health by offenders and sold at auction Healthy horses are trained and cared for by offenders All medical, feed and necessary equipment provided by DOA Local DOA staff provide on-site evaluation of impounded animals and provide care and handling instruction to the offenders
Can accommodate up to 10 horses
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 participa-

tion in the program Receive Veterinary Assistant/Animal Healthcare
credit certificate form Central Georgia Technical College
FACILITIES
Lee Arrendale State Prison, Alto, Georgia 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, Hawkinsville, Georgia 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 PROGRAM
HISTORY
Began in June 2012 69% success rate
OVERVIEW
First GDC dog rescue program
10-week program

FACT SHEET
EQUINE & CANINE TRAINING

2018

GREGORY C. DOZIER COMMISSIONER TIMOTHY C. WARD CHIEF OF STAFF JAY SANDERS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

Rescues and rehabilitates dogs from the Humane Society Mountain Shelter and Castoff Pet Rescue, which may other otherwise be euthanized while providing a positive impact on the offenders within the facility. Saving detainees and dogs...one life at a time.
PARTICIPANTS
Selection process includes Detainee essay Background check Assessed institutional history Interview
12 detainees are selected for the program and are provided with training from Cold Nose College (Murphy, NC), Central Georgia Technical College, and North Georgia Technical College. Detainees receive certification in the following areas: Pet First Aid and CPR On-the-Job Training for Grooming Georgia Best
LOCATION
Colwell Probation Detention Center, Blairsville, Ga. Opened in June 2012 with 6 detainees and 4 dogs Expanded in August 2013 with 12 detainees and 6-7 dogs Designated dorms for program Dogs and detainees are housed together 24/7 Grooming area located within dorm Vetting, food, and supplies are provided by the Humane Society Mountain Shelter and Castoff Pet Rescue
VISION GUIDE DOG PROGRAM

HISTORY
Began at Metro State Prison (SP) 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 to include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Shepherds, Collies and Standard Poodles, are brought into a facility and trained for 12-16 months
Dogs are returned to Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind to complete their final orientation and mobility training for 4-6 months
Upon completion of training, the dog 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 can earn two, 15-credit hour certificates and two On-the-Job Training (OJT) certificates through Central Georgia Technical College in: Animal Healthcare Assistant Computer Technology and Customer Service Animal Caretaker OJT Dog Groomer OJT
Positive Disciplinary Record (DR) record: no assaultive DRs or participation in major institu-
tional disruption within the last 12 months
FACILITIES
Burruss Correctional Training Center 10 to 12 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, train, and provide

FACT SHEET
EQUINE & CANINE TRIANING

2018

GREGORY C. DOGZRIEERGOCORMGMY ICSS. IODNOEZRIER COMMISSIONER TIMOTHY C. WATRIDMOCHTIHEYF OCF. SWTAFRFD CHIEF OF STAFF JAY SANDERS ARSESILSATATNEDT CLOEMAMDEISRSSIOHNIPERTITLE

structured playtime for dogs Class time for handlers always include their
assigned dog Volunteer puppy raiser take puppies on the
weekends to provide socialization opportunities

PARTICIPANTS
Disciplinary Report free for a minimum of 6 months and have 36 months or less on their sentence
Crime type is reviewed and may preclude participation in the program
Offenders interviewed by Instructor prior to being admitted into program
Offenders take Veterinarian Assistant and Introduction to Computer classes through Central Georgia Technical College
Offenders also able to receive On-the-job Train-
ing (OJT) credit for grooming classes
FACILITIES
Lee Arrendale State Prison Dogs are housed in assigned handler's room Food and supplies are provided by Habersham
Animal Shelter and through donations.

FOREVER FRIENDS K-9 RESCUE DOG PROGRAM
HISTORY
Began June 2013
First graduation took
place on November 4, 2013,
with 100% adoption rate
OVERVIEW
Mission: to save dogs from being euthanized at the Habersham County Animal Care and Control Shelter, while providing offenders with the training to teach basic dog obedience and to learn animal care and grooming skills
Program consists of 20 student handlers, two aides and up to 15 dogs
Both offenders and dogs are rehabilitated, providing valuable support to the local community
Dogs are brought into the facility from the Habersham County Animal Shelter and are paired with offenders
12-week training program, in which, dogs live with the offenders and concentrate on obedience, crate training, being house broken, and taught basic commands