Dogs Graduate To New Lives In Inmate, Shelter Pet Program

LAKE FOREST, CA — Two once-considered "last chance dogs" graduated to a fresh start this week after an intensive 12 week training program with inmates at the James A. Musick Jail facility in Orange County.

Cell Dogs--a training protocol that pairs inmates and shelter dogs with nowhere else to go--has two new graduates this week. A Boston Terrier mix named Ruby and a Labrador who goes by the name of Josie. Both, once considered problem cases, are one step closer to being full-time, well trained and well loved companions.

Josie and Ruby were considered last chance shelter pets, due to behavioral issues, according to an OCSD spokesperson. In a small ceremony celebrating their success, the two trainers for the dogs were able to celebrate their transition in a ceremony at the James A. Musick Jail facility.

"Little Josie's new home will be with a child on the autism spectrum and Labrador Ruby is going to attend additional training to become a therapy dog for a veteran with PTSD," the OCSD said.

Training the trainers, each "cell dogs" trainer goes through a four week training course, learning how to properly train dogs in a loving way. The canines who graduate are both potty and crate trained, as well as have learned basic manners and obedience skills. The inmates learn something, too.

"As trainers, they gain new purpose with responsibility, respect and the rewards of unconditional love," a Cell Dogs spokesperson said on their website. The dogs in the program sometimes are adopted as pets, other times, will go on as "working dogs" to aid those with disabilities such as the two who graduated this week.

The Cell Dogs program was formerly named The Pathways to Hope, and is a non-profit organization who works to improve the lives of incarcerated inmates and shelter dogs.

Being part of the Cell Dogs program at the Musick facility helps improve the quality of life for both inmates and shelter dogs. Approximately 20 men and 15 women inmates at Musick have been designated every year to work directly with the shelter dogs in the capacity of trainer.

"They all come together, there are less arguments, less fighting, it is a calming of the dorm, if you will," Deputy Kelly Bryant told NBC4 in a recent report.

Myra and Kimberly, the trainers for Josie and Ruby each lived with the dogs in their barracks. Both agreed in an NBC4 interview that the dogs would be missed. Myra explained the program would help her improve her life, because as a mother, she had no intention of returning to the jail following release.

Though the rate for offending criminals at this institution to return is over 70% for males and 47% for females, the rate for our male and female program participants is 14% and 11% respectively, according to OCSD.

"The presence of the dogs helps everyone to re-discover compassion as well as the benefits of demonstrating positive commitment," a Cell Dogs spokesperson said. "In addition to learning healthy life skills, program participants also acquire marketable job talents."

Orange County Sheriff's Department photos