By C1 Staff
AUSTIN, Texas — Inmates are learning new skills and boosting self-confidence thanks to a partnership with a local shelter.
Travis County Correctional Complex and the Austin Animal Shelter set up a program where inmates, who have qualified for training classes, train shelter dogs once a week for 90 minutes, according to KXAN.
The program gives inmates a chance to interact with the dogs in a hands-on way, house-training the dogs and teaching them commands.
According to a press release, the program benefits both parties greatly in different ways. Dogs with good behavior skills move through the shelter system more quickly which eases the population burden at the shelter. Inmates learn marketable skills, build confidence and take responsibility for someone other than themselves.
They’re also given a point of contact at the shelter so that if interested, they can be placed in volunteer roles once they are released.
Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton and shelter spokesperson Tawny Hammond said that because this is a privilege, inmates change their behavior so they can come to class.
According to the news station, the program will expand in the coming months, with a foster program in 2017. Inmates can qualify to foster dogs in their cells, but their past behavior and charge history will be examined beforehand.