A few weeks ago, I was asked to take some photos of the first graduating class of Greyhounds and their assigned inmates at the Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy. This program is a group effort through the Racing Home Greyhound Rescue of AZ, Fast Dogs-Fast Friends, Second Chance at Life and Team Canine.
Through this program, retired greyhounds are placed in prisons, where they are trained by inmates. It is a chance for the dogs to help bring hope to the humans, while they are fostered and trained for life after the track. Racing Home is honored and very pleased to be the first group in the west to be asked into this wonderful program, which has been working so well in the east and midwest!
During the graduation ceremony, the inmates and prison staff were presented with certificates in recognition of their outstanding achievement in training a retired racing greyhound, saving its life and giving it unconditional love while in their care.
Dan King from Fast Dogs-Fast Friends and Brad Jaffe from Team Canine presenting a certificate to an inmate
Jody Brown from the Racing Home Greyhound rescue surprised Dan King with a drawing that they had done for him as a token of their appreciation for all of his efforts. Dan often dresses up in a prisoner outfit at dog rescue events to raise awareness about the prison program. Jody had an artist take a photo of him and then create a beautiful charcoal drawing from it. Check out Dan’s expressions in the photos… priceless!
Jody presenting Dan with a surprise drawing of him in a prisoner costume
Here is another Greyhound drawing that was done by a very talented inmate.
The dogs were given new collars for their graduation from Second Chance at Life. The stripes symbolize prison bars and the hearts symbolize the love that they receive behind the bars.
After all of the excitement, the graduating dogs settled down next to their inmate partners for the last time while they enjoyed some cake and refreshments. This guy has his suitcase packed and tied around his neck. He can’t leave without his favorite toy.
After graduation, two of the dogs were placed in new fur-ever homes. One of the dogs went home with a member of the prison staff.
A graduating dog with his new dog-dad
Another went home with a loving couple that has adopted several greyhounds in the past.
A graduating dog with his new family
New dogs were then brought in to start the program. They were taken off their leashes so they could wander around amongst the inmates to choose which ones that they wanted to partner with for the next 8 weeks. It didn’t take long at all for them to make their choices and bond with their new friends.
Jody, Dan and Nina went over the history of each new dog with the inmates and described their personalities to them. Then Brad went over the plan to work with the inmates to train the dogs.
Jody from Racing Home and Dan and Nina from Fast Dogs-Fast Friends
Brad Jaffe, dog trainer extrodinairre from Team Canine
Tiffany from the Racing Home Recsue hung out looking cute while being admired by others when she wasn’t looking…
Tiffany Brown, volunteer for Racing Home Greyhound Rescue
It was a great experience for me to have had the privilege of photographing this event. My heart was over-flowing with joy for the dogs and the inmates that are lucky enough to be a part of this amazing program.
For more information on the Greyhound prison program, visit the Racing Home Greyhound, Fast Dogs – Fast Friends or Second Chance at Life websites.
by adogslifephoto
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