Berea Animal Rescue Friends / Grafton Reintegration Center

ARF maintains an innovative Foster Care Program with several area correctional institutions, which benefits both the handlers and the animals in very profound ways. Established in May 2011, the Prison Foster Program provides us with consistent, trusted foster care for many more animals than we could care for within our physical shelter, and affords us the opportunity to accept short-term foster pets arriving through our Under the Wing Program.

tender loving care / Mansfield Correctional Institution

The Humane Society of Richland County has been involved with the Mansfield Correctional Institution's Tender Loving Dog Care Program since 2008. The inmate handlers teach the dogs basic obedience commands and crate train the dogs. The program is very beneficial for dogs in our care, as well as for the handlers themselves. All dogs in the program are showcased on the Facebook page “Manci Cell Dogs”.

Primary Contact: adoptourstrays@yahoo.com or 419.774.4795

DASH Animal Rescue / Ross Correctional and Chillicothe Correctional institutions

DASH (Danielle's Animal Safe Haven) is a 100% volunteer based non-profit 501c3 rescue. Their Mission is to rescue and rehome companion animals. They spay and neuter to reduce overpopulation and to assist in reducing the euthanasia rate for companion animals. They do this by providing the best possible care and treatment while waiting to place dogs in safe and loving permanent homes. 

Primary Contact: Danielle, dashrescue00@gmail.com

Fresh Start Canine Training Program / Madison Correctional Institution

The Humane Society of Madison County and the Madison County Correctional Institution (MaCI) signed a joint cooperative agreement in 1997. This agreement led to the creation of the Fresh Start Canine Training program. This program provides the opportunity for the two organizations to work jointly toward providing homeless dogs and inmates (known as handlers) with a fresh start on life.

Primary Contact: adoptions@hsmcohio.org or 614.879.8368

ToCI Foster Dog Program / Toledo Correctional Institution

Our invaluable partnership with the Toledo Correctional Institution has immeasurably enhanced PPI's impact since its inception. Through this collaboration, select foster dogs, particularly those with mild behavioral issues, are housed and trained by dedicated inmates. This program enriches both dogs and inmates by offering therapeutic benefits to those who foster and care for the dogs. Additionally, it provides essential socialization, obedience training, and rehabilitation to the dogs, enhancing their prospects of finding a loving home. Through this partnership, we not only transform the lives of these animals but also empower inmates with valuable skills such as patience, empathy, and responsibility, fostering their rehabilitation and overall well-being.

Primary Contact: pets@plannedpethood.org or 419.826.3499

Inmate-Canine Educational Training Prison PrograM / Ohio Reformatory for Women and Dayton Correctional Institution

Circle Tail’s Inmate/Canine Educational Training Prison Program began in September 1998. The Prison Program helps promote inmate life quality, as well as train puppies and dogs to increase independence for persons living with disabilities. These inmates often tell stories about how Circle Tail has transformed their lives while they are helping to transform the lives of others.

Primary Contact: 513.877.3325

Wags for Kids / Grafton Correctional Institution

The Wags 4 Kids Prison Dog Training Program at Grafton has been operational since 2014 and has allowed over 2,500 apprentices to earn either a 50% or 100% certificate from the US Department of Labor in the last ten years. Apprenticeship programs use qualified volunteer prison staff members to supervise and train inmate apprentices in vocations that enhance employability skills.

Primary Contact: info@wags4kids.com or 216-586-5853

Dogs for Better Lives / Madison Correctional Institution and Ross Correctional Institution

Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) recently placed the first puppies in its newly developed Prison Puppy Raising Program. The Prison Puppy Raising program is a collaborative effort between DBL and correctional institutions in Ohio that aims to identify incarcerated individuals with interest in raising puppies that will one day work as Service Dogs. DBL staff teaches the incarcerated handlers to work with the dogs using positive reinforcement training techniques and general obedience skills that lay the foundation for future Service Dog training at one of DBL’s training campuses.

Primary Contact: info@dogsforbetterlives.org

Canine Companions Puppy Raising Program / Southeastern Correctional Institution

Canine Companions offers incarcerated individuals opportunities to raise our future service dogs, who will ultimately become matched with an adult, child, or veteran with a disability. The program benefits not only the puppies but the incarcerated men and women who help raise them. Nationwide, the recidivism rate for people who participate in the program is lower than 5%, while puppies raised in prison programs graduate as service dogs at a 10% higher rate than those raised in traditional homes, indicating successful benefits and impacts of the partnership.

Primary Contact: ncrpuppy@canine.org