Ohio prisoners help make pound dogs more adoptable

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A program that lets Ohio prison inmates train pound dogs to help make the animals more adoptable has graduated its first class of four canine students.

The Lucas County Dog Warden program called Ph.D., Prisoners Helping Dogs, places dogs with inmate trainers for six weeks,

Pudgie, a shepherd, was among the dogs that did time at the Toledo Correctional Institution, receiving training from a former death row inmate and a man convicted of burglary and other crimes.

David Brody, who's serving 17 years for the burglary and other convictions, is now training another dog but said he misses Pudgie.

"He taught me patience," said Brody, 41. "He was real stubborn and bull-headed, but he turned out great."

John Spirko, 65, whose death sentence was commuted, is serving a life sentence for aggravated murder. He said Pudgie taught him companionship.

The program started in February and initially used minimum-security inmates at the Toledo Correctional Institution prison camp, which has since closed due to state budget cuts and a restructuring of the prison system. It now uses inmates like Spirko, who are deemed close-security, the third security level in the state's five-level system.

"The inmates ... are providing a valuable service in hopes that the dogs will get a second chance of finding a loving home," said Maj.Gary Parker, chief of security at the prison. "The inmates take a lot of pride in working with the dogs."

Many dogs chosen for the training may be the type that are passed over because they are big or black or overweight, said Dog Warden Julie Lyle.

"Sometimes they are simply unmannered," she said. "The behavior difference between when they go and when they come back is dramatic — and wonderful."

The program is among about 50 animal-training programs at Ohio prisons but is unique because it helps pound dogs, The Blade reported. Many others are used to train dogs that assist people with disabilities or help out dogs from private rescue groups or humane societies.

Lyle said the training helps the pound learn more about the dogs so they can be adopted by the most appropriate owners.

Only prisoners who have model behavior are chosen for the program, and sex offenders are not allowed to participate, said Lt. Peter Kimball, who supervises the program at the prison.