USA, IN: erstes Greyhound Programm im Gefängnis von Putnamvi

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USA, IN: erstes Greyhound Programm im Gefängnis von Putnamville ist gestartet

USA, IN: First retired greyhound program under way at Putnamville

From www.bannergraphic.com

First retired greyhound program under way at Putnamville

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Greencastle Banner-Graphic

http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1831 ... 37880.html
Description: (Photo)

Retired racing greyhounds (from left) Dillinger, Rosy and Grady and their
new best friends and handlers (kneeling from left) Aaron Bell, Travis Fitch,
Steven Hartzell, Charles Garrison and Charles Johnson, and (back, from left)
Mike Hatton, Teresa Hatton, Ed Joslyn, Steve Shotwell, Antonio Munos, Jeff
Louden and Mary Louden.

[Click to enlarge]
http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1831 ... 37880.html

PUTNAMVILLE -- The first Prison Greyhound Program has started at the
Putnamville Correctional Facility with the arrival of three greyhounds.

Three retired racing greyhounds -- Dillinger, Rosy and Gordy -- made the
long drive from Florida to the Putnamville facility (PCF) to meet their new
handlers.

Anxiously awaiting their arrival were offenders Aaron Bell, 29,
Crawfordsville; Steven Hartzell, 35, and Harold Johnson, 48, both of
Indianapolis; Charles Garrison, 43, Evansville; Travis Fitch, 20, Angola,
and Antonio Munos, 39, Fort Wayne.

The three dogs and six offenders are the first participants in the
facility's new Prison Greyhound Program.

Upon arrival, dogs and handlers spent some one-on-one time playing and
getting to know one another.

"We like to see how the offenders interact with the dogs before we pair
them," Prison Greyhound Program president Mary Louden said. "In most cases,
the dogs choose who they want to be with."

After a great deal of hand licking and romping, the dogs were taken to the
handlers' housing unit where the dogs received their first bath and were
shown their new sleeping quarters. An evening feed, one last romp in the
"dog yard" and it was lights out for the program's first four-legged
friends.

Prison Greyhounds is a non-profit organization that partners retired
greyhounds with offender handlers who train and socialize the ex-racers.

Once the dogs have completed a three-month interactive program inclusive of
care, feeding, first aid and training, the greyhounds are put up for
adoption.

http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1831 ... 37881.html
Description: (Photo)

Two retired racing dogs in the Prison Greyhound Program may be fenced in but
they can still get some exercise with handler/offender Aaron Bell at the
Putnamville Correctional Facility.

[Click to enlarge]
http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1831 ... 37881.html

Greyhounds were selected for the program because they are social animals
that respond exceptionally well to handling and training and have a life
expectancy of 12-14 years. The ex-racers must be between the ages of 18
months to three years to participate in the program.

"The offenders were carefully selected for the program based upon stringent
criteria that restricted violence or animal cruelty in their current or past
criminal history, as well as, other criteria that had to be met," PCF
Superintendent Stanley Knight said.

"We take the responsibility of their care and safety seriously and are glad
to have the opportunity to offer this type of program at the facility,"
Knight added.

During the course of the program the offenders and dogs will attend weekly
sessions designed to help the greyhounds transition from the life of racing
into loving family members. Having offenders as handlers evokes a sense of
compassion and unconditional love within the offender and promotes
rehabilitation through the dog-human bond.

Mary and Jeff Louden, president and vice president of the organization
respectively, and program volunteers Mike and Teresa Hatton will provide
instruction.

Facility case manager Ed Joslyn is the program coordinator, assisted by case
manager Steve Shotwell.

Organization representatives report that there is a vast need for families
to provide homes for the intelligent, loving greyhounds or the dogs will
continue to sit in cages at race tracks with their careers over, face sale
to laboratories or be euthanized.

Greyhounds have companioned pharaohs and inspired artists throughout
history. If you are considering providing a home to these ex-racers, you are
invited to visit
www.prisongreyhounds.org.