Forsyth County Jail Debuts Pups With Purpose Inmate Program

CUMMING, GA — A new, furry program has debuted in the Forsyth County Jail.

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said on its Facebook page Wednesday that it has a new Forsyth County Jail Inmate program: Pups with Purpose.

Pups with Purpose partners Forsyth Jail Inmates with shelter dogs, in participation with the Forsyth County Georgia Animal Shelter.

Carefully selected inmates chosen for the program are trained to work with and train the dogs. Inmates and their dogs stick to a strict schedule as the dogs learn basic obedience while the inmates learn patience, compassion, and the valuable skill of dog training, the department said.

The FCSO said it is grateful to professional dog trainer Scot Rucker of Rucker Dog Training, who has volunteered to be the lead trainer and has helped get this program started.

"Once the dogs complete their training they will be available for adoption through a thorough approval process," the FCSO said. "Sheriff Ron Freeman set a goal to begin this program in 2017, and we are excited to see it become a reality. In the future, the program will strive to incorporate comfort dog training providing comfort dogs to other agencies and those who suffer PTSD."

On Aug. 26, the FCSO welcomed its inaugural class of jail dogs to the pod: Bodhi, the Plott Hound Mix, Cletus, the Shepard mix, Darla, the Dachshund mix, and Axel, the Pittbull mix. They added Roxy shortly after, and said they are "an awesome group of adorable pups."

For more information on the program and future adoptions, follow the Pups with Purpose Facebook page and watch for the website coming soon.

This new program comes shortly after the FCSO welcomed Booberry, the department said on Facebook Sept. 14. She is a rescued, mixed breed, 4-year-old that recently completed comfort dog training.

Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Detective Cpl. Roe then completed a week-long training with Booberry becoming certified in Canine Good Citizen. This certification allows Booberry and Roe to work with child and adult crime victims.

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program is a two-part course designed to help dogs and owners be the best they can be, together, the American Kennel Club said. Since 1989, over 1 million dogs and their owners have participated in CGC, mastering 10 basic skills that instill confidence and good manners in and out of the home, AKC said.

Booberry will join Roe in the office every day, so she is available to provide some much-needed comfort when duty calls.