Brad and Lisa Waggoner and Tiffany Lovell of Cold Nose College located in western North Carolina were awarded Volunteer of the Year for 2012 by the Georgia Department of Corrections for their participation in the “Rescued….Saving Dogs and Detainees One Life at a Time” program at the Colwell Probation and Detention Center in Blairsville, Georgia. Also recognized as Volunteers of the Year were Dr. William Mitchell, Veterinarian, and Carol Shannon of Two Paws Up Mobile Grooming for their participation in the program. Tri-State Pet Rescue, founded by Jan Eaton, was recognized as Corporate Sponsor of the Year.
The Rescued program is the first program of its kind in the State of Georgia to pair rescue dogs and detainees within a state correctional facility in order to help the dogs become more adoptable. It’s also apparent to see the difference the dogs are making in the lives of the detainees with the unconditional love, the lack of judgment and undivided attention on their detainee handlers. The six dogs and six detainees live together 24/7 within the facility.
Cold Nose College has been involved with the program since it’s inception in July of 2012. In addition to helping build the prison dog training library with a host of educational books, videos and DVDs about behavior, learning theory and training, Brad, Lisa and Tiffany spend at minimum of one morning each week working with the detainees and the dogs covering Basic Manners Training, Dog Body Language, Agility for Fun, Nose Games and Pet First Aid & CPR.
At this time, all detainees who have been in the program and released continue to be productive citizens. In particular three of the men are now working professionally with dogs; one is an avid volunteer with a local rescue group and drives long distance transports; another is working as a groomer in a veterinary hospital; and yet another is teaching dog training classes at a day care facility.
Due to the overwhelming success of the program, it was also announced on Monday that the go ahead and funding has been approved to double the size of the Rescued program.
4 Responses
DOUBLE this size of the program? Kudos to you ALL for such a great program. As a former criminal and juvenile (delinquency) defense attorney, I know exactly how valuable it is to steer detainees onto better paths. And the benefits to each dog are life-saving as well. Fantastic work, Cold-Nosers!
Thanks so much, Leigh. I did not know about your background. You may not know that my late father (Ph.D. in clinical psychology) was a Chief Psychologist in several maximum security prisons, fought against inmate abuse and lobbied for positive reinforcement in inmate rehabilitation. It was March of 2004 when I drove by the prison on the way to Peaceable Paws for my second instructor academy that I first had the desire to combine doing training inside a facility. It’s a joy to stay in touch with a few of the guys who have been released and keep up with their good deeds! I’m sure my dad’s smiling down from above.
My husband’s father was a professional photographer and we often think about how fascinated he would be with all the digital photography and video capabilities that now exist.
I’m sure your father would be thrilled to know such programs exist and that his daughter and her husband were being honored for setting up such a fine program!
Cheers and Kudos!!!
Clarissa
Thanks for the R+, Clarissa. Indeed, your husband’s father would be amazed with the photography/video technology these days. It dazzles me and I’m merely a mortal snap/shoot kinda girl. Woofs, Lisa