NFL Spotlights Hudson Valley Prison’s Puppies Behind Bars Program
What is The Puppies Behind Bars Program?
Puppies Behind Bars has been up and running since 1997.
This program teaches "incarcerated individuals to raise and train service dogs for people who require the aid an expertly trained dog can provide" according to their website.
The Puppies Behind Bars Program is run in 7 correctional facilities in New York State, all of them right here in the Hudson Valley.
According to the PBB website the program is run in the following correctional facilities:
- Bedford Hills Correctional Facility- Bedford Hills, NY
- Eastern Correctional Facility- Napanoch, NY
- Fishkill Correctional Facility- Beacon, NY
- Green Haven Correctional Facility- Stormville, NY
- Otisville Correctional Facility- Otisville, NY
- Sing Sing Correctional Facility- Ossining, NY
- Wallkill Correctional Facility- Wallkill, NY
Green Haven Inmates Help Train Future Service Dogs With Help from The NFL
Puppies Behind Bars is teaming up with the National Football League.
In a recent social media post from the NFL in The Community account they write:
@puppies.behind.bars gives incarcerated individuals the chance to raise service dogs for wounded veterans, first responders, and school psychologists. The NFL is proud to partner with them to help raise three future service dogs.
The video shared was filmed at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville.
Take a look belwo at the video below about how both the puppies and the incarcerated individuals work together and help each other grow:
The dogs in the video will be in training for 2 years with incarcerated individuals before they head out to their forever homes, whether it be with wounded veterans, first responders, or school psychologists. You can learn more about Puppies Behind Bars at PuppiesBehindBars.com.
More About the Puppies Behind Bars Program in the Hudson Valley
It's incredible to see how these puppies grow up and learn to be exceptional service dogs. The Puppies Behind Bars social media accounts shows just how well the program works for both the dogs and humans.
After up to 2 years behind bars, when the dogs go on their way to service work, the PBB website explains:
Our puppies never, ever forget their raisers. We have been fortunate to have some veterans and first responders return to our classrooms years after they were paired with their dogs, and when the dogs see their raisers, they cannot contain their joy.
Needless to say, the Puppies Behind Bars program at our local Hudson Valley correctional facilities is changing the lives of many across the country.
25 Dog Friendly Wineries and Breweries in the Hudson Valley
Gallery Credit: Julia Flamenhaft
10 of The Top Rated Dog Parks Across the Hudson Valley
Where Dogs Attack USPS Workers The Most In New York State
