Friends For Folks - Dog Training Program

05/11/2025

Sister Pauline, who started the prison dog program, had a chance to meet Pope Francis with her dog, Pax. She always said dog spelled backwards is God.

“Pope Francis wants for us to look at people who have been traumatized and abused, giving them the spirit of welcome by showing them respect and dignity which will help build their self-esteem and they too can move forward to contribute something wonderful to better our world.”

03/19/2025

Want to join us in making a difference? We're raising money to benefit Friends for Folks, and any donation will help to keep this program alive. The Friends for Folks program is a triple win;

The pet is brought from a shelter or sanctuary and paired with an inmate of good standing. The dog is trained and then placed in forever homes in the community. These pets are often paired with widows, children with special needs, and veterans. We train over 80 dogs a year between Mabel Basset and Lexington prisons.

All dollars raised go toward dog food, medical supplies, program maintenance, professional trainer, pet supplies and many other needs. It takes over $50,000 a year to run this vital program. This impacts over 50 inmates a year and over 100 people.

We have practically zero recidivism with this tested program of over 33 years. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to our community.

https://gofund.me/73f3747c

02/17/2025

Thank you for the wonderful coverage, Norman Transcript.

HUDSON HOWARDFOR THE TRANSCRIPT In 2018 on a cold, rainy October morni

12/20/2024

Meet Terrance, a good boy from Pauls Valley Animal Shelter!
He's asking for your help this holiday season... Treats would make his tail wag!
But that's not all - he and friends need forever homes ASAP!
https://pvpaws4pets.com/

Show them love & support: Donate treats via our Amazon Wish List
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2RFV2N5SWN98N?ref_=wl_share

11/20/2024

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and the perfect time to support our local prison dog training program. Here is an easy way to contribute:

09/24/2024

Adopt your new best friend! Noli is ready to meet her forever people. Contact Heartprints Animal Rescue to meet her. 🩷

07/27/2024

Welcome to the program, Noli.

06/26/2024

Meet Josie! She apx 1-2 yrs old Shar pei mix and is an absolute doll. She likes to play in the water on hot days, she walks on leash well, knows many cues & tricks. Some of her video's are in the comments. If you are looking for entertainment, she's your girl! Josie is graduating from the Lexington Correctional Center and is heading back to Norman Animal Welfare where she is available for adoption.

06/14/2024

This good boy here is Sammy. He is graduating today from our Lexington program and returning to his foster home with Pups & Promises rescue. He is available for adoption - link for the application is in comments.
Sammy is still a teenager and is super smart. He could use a home with some patience as he matures to become a wonderful pet.

06/07/2024

Thank you for the donations! Your help is very appreciated and goes along way to help our program.

Pictured is Tater, one of the dogs in the Lexington program that will be available soon from Norman Animal Welfare. He loves car rides & people!

06/02/2024

Our Friends at Lexington Prison need our help! Please donate to their Amazon wish list today. Beds, treats, and dog food are most urgently needed. Donations can be made HERE:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2RFV2N5SWN98N?ref_=wl_share

Here is the full address if you need it. As long as you order through any third-party website (like Chewy or Walmart-- whoever you usually use) that should work!

Address to:

LARC c/o Gayla Sesher FFF Coordinator
15151 State Hwy 39
Lexington, OK 73051

05/16/2024

We appreciate the coverage of FFF's partnership with OSU Vet Dr. Leticia Fanucchi.

"Dogs that complete the program have a higher chance of being adopted. Inmates who assist in training the dogs are rewarded by knowing they have positively impacted the animal’s future."

Read the story of her unique line of work, here;

https://news.okstate.edu/articles/veterinary-medicine/2024/prison-dog-program.html