The Michigan Department of Corrections is releasing the 2026 Dogs of the MDOC wall calendar featuring dogs raised in its prison training programs in Lansing. Lights, camera, bark! Dogs from Michigan prison training programs …

The calendar raises funds for the Department of Corrections’ employee engagement fund, which supports staff who experience a tragedy or crisis, and also highlights the rehabilitative work of incarcerated handlers in programs that have trained more than 3,000 dogs since 2009. Submissions of photos for the calendar take place from October to early November each year, providing a unique opportunity for the public to engage with the program and support the community.

Director Heidi Washington described the collection simply: “It features all dogs that have been raised in prison. I think it’s pretty cool,” she said. Her comment underscores the department’s intent to showcase the animals and the people who train them. The department frames the dog training programs as having positive rehabilitative impacts on participants, such as increased pride and a sense of purpose, according to its public information officer. The Power of Involving Incarcerated Individuals in Assistance Dog …

MDOC partners with established organizations to run those programs. Paws with a Cause, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Ability centers and local animal shelters provide basic obedience training and program support, according to department materials. Those partnerships supply trainers and curricula that are used inside correctional facilities as part of the Dogs of the MDOC initiative.

Public information officer Jenni Riehle emphasized the program’s effect on participants: “It’s also helping our prisoners have pride in their work and a sense of purpose in their lives, as they’re on their journey to reintegrate into our communities.” Her statement frames the calendar as one component of broader rehabilitative programming. A New Leash on Life: Benefits of Dog Training Programs in …

Administrator Kathy Warner, who helps coordinate the calendar, said staff keep the project running year after year. “I look forward to it every year,” she said, adding, “We’ve been doing it every year, including during COVID. And we have our new one coming out. We just sent it over to the printer.” Warner also noted the volume of submissions: “Sometimes they’ll send me multiple pictures of the same dog.” This enthusiasm reflects the community’s commitment to supporting not just the dogs but also the valuable programs associated with them.

The 2026 edition includes individual dogs with followable stories. Lamar, a German shepherd who was adopted by Heidi Washington in 2017 and appeared in the 2023 calendar, later died, a reminder of the personal connections the program can foster. Debbie, a Chihuahua who was cared for by an inmate before adoption, is featured for the month of June. The calendar also spotlights wellness dogs Franklin and Handel in the September section for National Suicide Prevention Month. The stories exemplify the program’s dual purpose: to provide love and companionship for animals while simultaneously transforming the lives of inmates.

The project funnels attention and proceeds to shelters and programs that work with MDOC, while also giving the public a way to see outcomes from training inside correctional facilities. Local readers and supporters can find more on the program in coverage by WCMU Public Radio, which reported on the calendar’s release and its stated goals.

Officials say the calendar serves multiple purposes: fundraising for local shelters, public engagement with the department’s rehabilitative efforts, and recognition for incarcerated handlers. The department’s timeline for photo submissions and Warner’s note that the final product has already been sent to the printer indicate the 2026 edition is now moving toward distribution.

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Original reporting: view the original article.