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Program pairs inmates with area shelter dogs, to the benefit of both

It's not often one can say going to prison makes you a winner, but for eight inmates at the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program and four shelter dogs who joined the program June 1, last Friday's first Puppy Boot Camp graduation was a winning event.

"We've thought about the program for several years," said Tammie Hoffard, the driving force behind the program. "We originally thought this program would be better suited for Pinckneyville. There initially were no programs like this for us to look at."

While there are a number of programs throughout the nation that pair shelter dogs with inmates, doing so at a facility like Du Quoin is among the first.

"It's just like a military boot camp," Hoffard said. "It's really loud. That can be distracting and hard on the dogs."

Jason Henton, sperintendent of the DQIIP, opened a wing that was not being used to accommodate the dogs and their handlers.

The initial program included four dogs, two from Wright Way Rescue in Murphysboro and two from the Perry County Humane Society. Each dog was assigned to two inmate handlers.

"These guys volunteered for this program," Henton said. "They took on the added responsibility on top of their regular duties of school, work, training and counseling."

During the ceremony, Henton recognized the eight handlers for their success.

"You've raised the bar," he told them. "You've achieved elite status."

For the inmates, that "bar" included personal gains and triumphs.

Omar Garcia has been at the DQIIP for 80 days and is now on the home stretch of his sentence with only 41 days to go. He was one of Ruby's handlers

"Ruby changed my life as much as I changed hers," he told the crowd of about 100 who attended the graduation ceremony.

"Ruby taught me to be patient and to be persistent," he said.

Garcia said he plans to take the skills he learned and pursue dog training as a hobby.

"It's a great opportunity to do the right thing when I get back in the world," he said.

Scooby left his handlers, inmates Hall and Hendrix, to go to his "forever" home in Marion with Lt. Jeff Moore of the Williamson County Sheriff's Department.

The pit bull and shepherd mix will join Moore at his home with several acres to play in.

"I'm looking forward to getting a good, faithful companion at home," Moore said as Scooby walked beside him after the ceremony, stopping for a belly scratch from one of the correctional officers.

The program met one of the most important goals, to find a home for each of the "graduates." All four dogs have been adopted.

Like Garcia, Scooby's handlers agreed they got as much from the program as their furry charge.

"I learned to focus," Hall said. "Scooby, you're going to have a great life and I'll never forget you."

Inmate Hendrix said that when Scooby first came to the program, he wondered what he had gotten himself into.

"He had too much energy and no direction," he said. "He was a lot like me. But I learned responsibility from him. I learned that our actions affect others."

Like many of the inmates that enter the DQIIP, Lady was out of control.

"We almost gave up on her," Henton said. "But we met and decided that this place and this program was about second chances and not giving up."

Inmate Carney is glad he stuck with Lady.

"I had no positive father figure growing up," he said. "I didn't know how to be a parent. But I gave Lady a chance. Now I can go home and be a better parent."

Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi said these inmates learned exactly what the program is meant to teach.

"Training an animal gives them a sense of responsibility," he said. "It gives the inmates a companion, and it helps in the adoption process for the dogs."

Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro), a former employee of the Illinois Department of Corrections, supervised DQIIP as part of her duties.

"This is a facility that's always tried to think outside the box," she said. "There is a push nationally to do away with IIP programs, but I think today we've seen evidence of how we can take individuals who society sometimes thinks of as throwaway humans and pair them with animals that people have actually made throw always, put them together, and both feel loved and appreciated, and find purpose in their lives."

Bryant noted that several of the men talked about this program making them a better parent.

"It's a really special time to see this today and I am excited to be a part of it," she said.

Hoffard said the next program will begin this week.

"From this point on, we're going to be learning and growing," she said.

James said the PCHS already has its two dogs chosen.

"As long as they have the inmates that want to work, we've got the dogs," she said.

Holly Kee photoInmate Carney puts Ruby through a series of obedience skills at the Puppy Boot Camp Graduation last Friday at the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program.
The first graduating class of the Puppy Boot Camp is presented at the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program during a ceremony last Friday. Holly Kee photo
Holly KeeRep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) watches as the first class of dogs and thier handlers graduate from Puppy Boot Camp on Friday at the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program.
Holly Kee photoInmate Omar Garcia sits with Scooby during the Puppy Boot Camp graduation ceremony on Friday at the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program.
Holly Kee photoRep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) and Tammie Hoffard (R) discuss the success of the inaugural Puppy Boot Camp at the Du Quoin Impact Incarceration Program following the graduation ceremony on Friday.