Six rescue dogs trained by inmates at George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Concord Township, Delaware County, graduated Thursday through the New Leash on Life program.

The program pairs incarcerated participants with shelter dogs to build career readiness and life skills, and the current cohort worked with six dogs through a 12-hour training schedule. New Leash on Life USA operates the program inside the county facility, where the animals live with inmates and sleep in crates inside their cells. These programs not only offer vital training for the dogs but have been shown to reduce recidivism rates among many participants, according to program outcome data and prior evaluations, although specific percentage reductions vary by study and program.

Rob Rosa, Senior Vice President of Programs at New Leash on Life, said the work reaches beyond obedience commands. “The dogs help the individuals to get in touch with the compassion that lives within them that sometimes they bury deep within them because they don’t feel good about themselves and the things that they’ve done,” he said. This connection not only aids in personal transformation but can provide essential life skills, as participants engage in 24/7 care, basic obedience training, and socialization, preparing the dogs for future adoptions and even the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

Staff at the facility have noticed a change in daily life as participants care for and socialize the dogs. “Staff walks the dogs through the hall and outside, and that’s a reason for everyone to get together, talk, discuss the dogs,” said Kelly Shaw, program administrator at George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Such initiatives foster community interaction, creating a supportive network that extends beyond the prison walls.

Inmates described personal shifts they attribute to the work. “My life has changed because I actually look forward to something now. Skills I’ve picked up is more so anger management. That’s really the biggest thing, right? These dogs are so emotionally supportive,” said an inmate participant. Individuals interested in supporting such programs can volunteer as short-term dog socializers or puppy raisers, further contributing to this life-changing effort.

One dog in the group, Pumpkin Pie, arrived fearful and shut down. An inmate participant recalled, “When he first came, he was hiding behind chairs, shaking his leg, tucking his tail. Now he’s one of the most loudest and playful dogs.” Pumpkin Pie now has a loving home waiting for him, demonstrating the program’s successful aim of pairing second chances for both people and animals.

The program is built around second chances for both people and animals, and the dogs remain in the living units with participants as they learn handling, basic training, and routines. Vivid details from the facility note that the animals sleep in crates inside the inmates’ cells, underscoring the 24/7 nature of the caregiving that the program requires. This immersive experience not only benefits the dogs but also significantly aids in the inmates’ rehabilitation process.

Administrators and program staff say the structure creates opportunities for conversation, teamwork, and responsibility across the housing units. Inmates reported improvements in patience, focus, and confidence tied to the daily demands of dog care, an emotional benefit that staff and program leaders highlight as central to the program’s aims. This structure is at the heart of why organizations like New Leash on Life USA are crucial in the intersection of rehabilitation and animal welfare.

New Leash on Life USA, the nonprofit that runs the program, has been cited as the operating organization behind the initiative; background coverage of the project is available from CBS News. Additional information about the organization’s approach and wider work is described by nonprofit resources such as the New Leash on Life USA profile.

Officials marked the Thursday graduation as a milestone for the participants and the animals. Organizers said the event highlights how structured programming inside correctional settings can pair skill-building for people with lifesaving outcomes for shelter dogs.

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Original reporting: view the original article.