Friends from the Pen

When Jennifer Johnston, the general manager at the PETCO store in Kingman, Ariz., got involved with Mohave Companion Animal Rescue Efforts (CARE) Network, she didn’t expect the partnership would make her a regular at the local prison.

A recent graduating class

Through Mohave-CARE, Jennifer and store Dog Trainer Roy Hayes work with the Arizona Department of Correction State Prison in a dog training program that helps to rehabilitate inmates and save lives of dogs at risk of euthanasia.

The Friends from the Pen program picks 20 inmates who live with and provide obedience training to dogs sponsored by participating shelters and rescue organizations. Most of these dogs are from a local humane society and may not have much time left; they are generally older, bigger and unruly and through this program, they get a second chance, just like the inmates.

To get involved in the program, prisoners have to apply for the job, interview and provide resumes. Once they are chosen, they have the option to stay on after the eight-week course. There are still men training who have done this from the beginning. Getting the opportunity to bond with an animal has had a major impact in the rehabilitation process of these inmates.

Throughout the program, Roy volunteers a few hours every Wednesday to train the dogs and teach the prisoners who take care of them around the clock. Prisoners are responsible for filling out daily reports that detail the dog’s eating habits, stool consistency, training and overall health.

An eager class that's ready to learn

After the course, all dogs graduate with basic obedience training. Most are off-leashed trained by the end as well.

There are plans to expand the program in the future to include service dog training. Recently, the head supervisor for the Arizona State Prison came out and observed Roy during a training session. He was incredibly impressed and expressed interest in rolling out the program to all prisons in the state.

At the end of each course, there is a graduation ceremony at the prison and then the Kingman PETCO holds an adoption event for the recent graduates.

Since Friends from the Pen began a year and a half ago, approximately 75 dogs graduated from the program.

When I heard about this program I felt a complete sense of pride that these people work for the same company as me. To volunteer their time and talent to provide hope for both humans and animals that have otherwise been cast aside by society is humbling. Thank you, Jennifer and Roy, you inspire me.