04/16/2022
My therapy dog organization does A LOT of work in prisons. Jane
“Prison is a negative place, but the dogs are positive,” says Correctional Counselor Susan Kloos at Montana’s Crossroads Correctional Facility. “It’s a privilege for these men to be a dog handler. Inmates can’t touch anyone at all, but the dogs meet that human need for contact.”
The Crossroads prison puppy raising program with Canine Companions started back in 2006, and as a result, we have changed lives of over 150 men and raised 128 puppies for Canine Companions, with many dogs, currently changing lives of people with disabilities.
The program has changed the outcomes of our inmate handlers’ lives as well. The national rate of recidivism is 50% but, 95% of the men who have been part of the puppy raising program have stayed out of prison after parole.
“Prison is not the type of environment that welcomes vulnerability,” says Susan. “On the final day with the puppies, the handlers used to cry alone in their cells, afraid to show emotion in front of other inmates. Over the years, the puppy raisers have established trust in the group. Now, the inmates share in the bittersweet day and cry together.”
Although other prison puppy raising programs are still active, after 20 years of leading the Crossroads puppy raising program, Susan is headed to a well-deserved retirement. “This
program has changed my life. You don’t realize how fortunate you are until a graduate thanks you for giving them back their life.”
Thank you, Susan, for your dedication, effort and support to one of our vital programs, changing lives of so many people over the years. 💛💙