Read more: State, Community, Dogs, Disabled, Kershaw, Jim, Detention, Center, Assistance
Jail is probably the last place you would expect to hear about respect and responsibility. But at one Midlands jail, that's exactly what inmates are building. A program at the Kershaw Correctional Institution is teaching man's best friend a few new tricks, while teaching the inmates a few lessons in the process.
"I never thought I would be able to do anything of this magnitude," said one inmate.
The inmate, who we'll refer to as Jim, has spent several years in jail. Jim says as he serves his time he wants to give back, and this is his way to do it.
"Knowing that what I'm doing will eventually help someone that is disabled," said Jim. "Some of them are confined to a wheelchair so helping someone like that is a great benefit to me."
A dozen inmates are working with Palmetto Animal Assisted Life Services, or PAALS. The idea of the program is to train and prepare the pooches to one day help those in need.
"We find new ways to help these dogs help out in our community," said PAALS Executive Director Jen Rogers.
During the two year training, the dogs learn how to follow commands; which includes everything from turning out lights, to picking up dropped items. The dogs also learn what it takes to be man's best friend while rehabbing the inmates in return.
"It's a win-win project all the way around," said Rogers. "These guys have changed dramatically since I met them. They have to work as team members."
The inmates say they get just as much out of the training process. For them the program offers a new leash on life.
The program is proof positive that it's helping more than just the four-legged students.
