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| PA Prison Dog Training Program |
| By Samantha Miller |
| Published: 11/12/2012 |
New Leash on Life USA is a Pennsylvania 501(c) (3) non-profit, prison-dog training program, dedicated to improving the life of inmates and saving the lives of dogs.
Joining thousands of exotic dog breeds and popular poodles at this year’s National Dog Show will be a Staffordshire Terrier mix who did some hard time. Vivian Peyton – a ‘12 graduate of the New Leash on Life rescue program – will be honored as one of the Purina Therapy Dog Ambassadors at the National Dog Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on Saturday, Nov. 17 and Sunday, Nov. 18. Formerly used as a bait dog and rescued by New Leash on Life at the Animal Care and Control Team of Philadelphia, Vivian Peyton spent three months completing a prison dog-training program run by the non-profit New Leash on Life at the Philadelphia Prison System. The pilot takes dogs that weren’t being adopted in the city’s shelters because of health or behavioral problems and boards them in a prison complex, where inmates then spend as much time with them as needed to train and better socialize them in preparation for adoption. It literally gives the dogs “a new leash on life” – and the inmates too, who are then eligible for training and job assistance working with animals after their release from prison. Vivian was at-risk twice before being rescued, taken to a city shelter and ultimately given a second chance. When she arrived, she was wounded, severely underweight and apprehensive around people. But within days, the “TLC” offered by the paid staff and inmates helped Vivian relax and her true personality started to show. After passing her canine “good citizen test” in the prison, Vivian was adopted by Michele Pich, a Veterinary Grief Counselor at PennVet, where she comforts grieving pet lovers and visits children at the Ronald McDonald House. “We are incredibly proud of Vivian Peyton for showing the resiliency of animals and what can be accomplished with love and care,” said Marian V. Marchese, the founder of New Leash on Life. “She will always be New Leash on Life’s ambassador dog.” Vivian was in New Leash on Life’s second class, and graduated in 2012. New Leash on Life is currently training their fifth class of dogs. Upon completion of this class, 28 dogs will have successfully finished one of the country’s most unique prison-dog training programs. ABOUT NEW LEASH ON LIFE New Leash on Life USA is a new generation prison dog-training program that saves the lives of shelter dogs by training and socializing them to enhance their adoptability while helping inmates learn to train and care for dogs. With New Leash on Life USA, dogs live in the cells with their inmate trainers 24/7, making New Leash dogs highly desirable for adoption and ensuring the long-term success for both humans and canines. For more information on New Leash on Life USA visit www.newleashonlife-usa.org. |
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Hamilton loves books about unicorns, storms, and cubicles. He lives in Waco with his cat named Mr. Bojangles. Before his work as an attorney, Hamilton was a leprechaun chaser. His all-time record is three pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. He was forced to give up the gold in a dispute with a rival hobbit. He spends his free time tripping out on the smallest details, none of which are important He likes doing the things with the ball and scoring the points. He pays attention to the green of your eyes, even when it is not Saint Patrick’s Day. He is not Irish. Hamilton Lindley has fun plans for people in need. Whether your need a dreamcatcher for your dreams or a tape dispenser to put your life back together, he can be there for you to yell at. There are times when it is surprising that he has any friends at all. But thankfully he does have a few. He drives a Dodge Stratus. People respect him, except at home.
Dear Friends, I believe your progran is outstanding and I discovered it while searching for the inmate number of a young woman that I was a friend of some 40 years ago and who is locked up for life. The only thing I found out about her was that she is now a dog trainer in the Muncy Woman's Prison in Muncy, Pennsylvania. As a lifer, I'm glad she has more than four walls to keep her attention. Now if only I could get her inmate number, I would be able to let her know how happy I am that she has this loving outlet. In case you are able to get her number for me: Her name is Marilyn Dobrolinski and I can be contacted at Respectfully, Dick Carlson