pooches & inmates

["Lyn L. Nelson" <lnelson@mail.portup.com>]

>times for Project Pooch a Department of Corrections project here in
Woodburn at Maclern Youth Facility.  >Project Pooch is a rescue program
where dogs are brought in from the local humane societies and trained and
>cared for by the young men at Maclern.

HOLY COW!  I would love to set up a program like that, even if I had to do
it with youthful adults (isn't that a nice phrase - ugh! what the world is
coming to....).   Actually, I'm looking for new program ideas right now &
I've heard tidbits about programs with animals and inmates, but I haven't
found anything concrete.  Something like that might make me start to like my
job.  Then again, my co-workers will really think I've become DOG CRAZY!
Although, seven years ago when I first started in this position I was a
zealous ninny who pondered the idea of giving piano lessons to inmates - so,
a pooch project is tame in comparison.

Yes, my full-time job is inmate programming to include electronic
monitoring.  It's usually not the most pleasant work atmosphere.  One
becomes quite cynical and if your a person driven by the need to have a
finished project with a good outcome & some creativity, it's an UPHILL
battle to say the least.

Gina, could you send me a contact name and number for the program?  Could
you share more about the program and does anyone else have any first-hand
info on stuff like this?

Lyn