| UPCOMING EVENTS |
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Stroll'n Roll, September 25, 2010
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Fidos for Freedom has a "partnership" of sorts with a federal prison. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, Fidos has placed 4 dogs in the minimum security men's prison in Cumberland, MD. In its second year, the program has been a learning experience for all parties involved.
In prison, the 4 dogs live with the inmates in the housing units.
The dogs are learning:
- basic obedience
- advanced skills like:
- how to retrieve,
- how to open doors; and
- how to turn on light switches.
All of this is in preparation for the dogs to come home, get their training skills honed, and work with clients, aiding their independence.
The dogs have made a big difference at the prison camp, putting
smiles on people's faces and offering unconditional love. The
inmates also take a correspondence class that earns them a certificate
of learning. The class teaches them many aspects of dog care
and obedience. The inmates returning to the program for a second
year take a dog grooming class. Every two weeks volunteer trainers
drive from Laurel to Cumberland to work with the inmates and
teach them how to train the dogs. It is a long day, but always
rewarding. |
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Assistance Dogs