Prison Pet Partnership
Spring 2020
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Unleashing Hope from the Inside Out:
Honoring PPP Founder Sr. Pauline (1942-2020)
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With heavy hearts, Prison Pet Partnership learned that our founder, Sister Pauline Quinn, died on March 13th. After experiencing a traumatic childhood and homelessness as a young adult, Sister Pauline, (then Kathleen Quinn), discovered the healing power of dogs through the unconditional love she shared with her first dog, Joni, a German Shepard. This connection changed Sister Pauline’s trajectory for the remainder of her life, as she learned to believe in herself and to trust others.
In 1981, Sister Pauline persuaded the Washington Corrections Center for Women to try a novel approach to rehabilitation by teaching incarcerated women to care for and train dogs. These dogs would then be adopted into permanent, loving homes or placed with individuals with disabilities and Prison Pet Partnership was founded. She then helped start prison dog programs all over the US and the world. Sister Pauline believed that self-worth is best measured not by what you do for yourself but what you do for others and by thinking of and working for others, you begin to heal yourself.
Prison Pet Partnership will miss her frequent visits to our program facility at Washington Corrections Center for Women. She was always so proud of the women and our work in the program. She will be greatly missed and we are forever indebted to all she has done for PPP, the service dog industry, and incarcerated individuals across the world.
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To honor Sister Pauline, PPP is more determined than ever to carry on her vision, hard work and incredible impact.
The loss of income usually generated by our boarding and grooming services and the cancellation of our annual fundraiser, due to COVID-19 precautions, has caused Prison Pet Partnership and many nonprofits to worry for the future of our programming. Our staff is committed to continuing the mission Sister Pauline started and passing it on for incarcerated individuals, community members, and dogs in need.
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Due to COVID-19, Prison Pet Partnership has temporarily suspended our programming. Our offices are now closed.
Please see our
COVID-19 page
or follow our social media for the most up-to-date info.
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P u p d a t e s & P r o g r a m s !
Though our facility located at WCCW is closed to due COVID-19 precautions, the pups are still training, the women are staying engaged and we're still working (from home!) Here's what everyone's been up to...
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It was easy to see the look of panic on the faces of PPP's incarcerated program participants when we announced that we would need to pause programming due to COVID-19.
Most of them spend 3-5 days/week at the program, often 8-10 hours per day and suddenly they were losing that place to go, that place to be themselves, to receive and give affection from pups, a place to learn and teach from and with each other. Many other programs, including visitation, were also canceled and their outlets for self-expression, recreation, education, work, and community were disappearing. Without these things in prison, time moves very slowly.
These cancelations are necessary. In prison, it's nearly impossible to successfully practice social distancing. Close living quarters and limited access to cleaning and sanitation creates an environment ripe for spreading illness quickly. PPP, other programs, and the staff at WCCW recognized that the less traffic we bring from the outside, the safer it remains on the inside.
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The panic did not last long as participants brainstormed ways to stay engaged and active. Adaptability is something you have to learn while incarcerated, while you work with dogs, and while you work with people.
Though many activities are closed at WCCW, the dogs have moved to foster homes, and new policies are being put into place constantly, the women had a plan to stay positive. A few ideas they came up with were: weekly trainer "meet-ups” in the day room to discuss ideas and problem solving, read books on specific breeds, training theory, grooming techniques and journal about them, create pet "how-to"s for boarding and grooming clients, create cards for volunteers, work on creative projects like painting and poetry.
Kim Hyde, PPP's Service Dog Program Manager, was able to visit the women on Tuesday. She gave them updates on all their dogs and brought them pictures provided by the fosters.
She was absolutely blown away by all of the work the women have been up to.
They have held four trainer meetings, created several presentations, created Standard Operating Manuals for all of the roles in the PPP kennels, grooming and training facilities. Most women have completed between 1-3 reports on breeds or training. The groomers have completed their Master Groomer Exam and are working on new tracks in the Professional Groomer Certifications, as well as prepping collar bows and accessories. There are tons of knitting projects happening, and they have collectively designed about 100 greeting cards and 20 journals and a ton of braided "tugs" for our service dogs. They are excited about the materials they've created to give to our clients on how to best care for and train pets!
Just like those on the outside, some of those on the inside are managing this extra layer of quarantine easier than others. Some will be able to enjoy the rest and time for self-reflection, others may need to stay busy with projects. The staff at PPP misses our program participants terribly and can't wait to return to a "new normal".
We are so proud of the program participants and all the progress they continue to make!
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SERVICE DOGS-IN-TRAINING PUPDATES
All of our pups are safely outside of the facility in PPP foster homes for the duration of the COVID-19 Stay-at-Home order. Though they may still be working on training goals, they're also taking a little down time as demonstrated below. Gentry gets spooned by Paroled Pet, Daesha, at PPP foster Lois' home.
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SERVICE DOG PROGRAM
Kim & Lynn have been busy checking in on PPP graduates and fosters remotely and it outdoor areas. Lynn, our newest team member, is honing her skills in advanced training techniques and learning theories. Kim is also turning her focus to updating training manuals and lesson plans for our incarcerated program participants, as well as updating our Assistance Dog International accreditation materials.
Kim's favorite quarantine work so far is working with PPP service-pup-in-training. Maya, who she is fostering. They are working on retrieves, opening and closing drawers and doors and more! This has reminded her hoe much our dogs can do make a difference in people's lives everyday.
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PPP PAROLED PET PUPDATES
Hera (shown above) is now a Paroled Pet and Jasmine, our beautiful Pyrenees passed her Canine Good Citizen test and is now living at foster, who is a also an adoption potential! Kady, our spunky Yorkie was placed in her forever home last week!
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VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Rachel & Amy are excited to use this time to dive deeper into new curriculum and techniques for the vocational education program. Rachel is revamping her 12-week Pet Care course, which is open to all qualifying incarcerated women at PPP and the first step to entering the program.
Amy is making sure to check all of PPP's email and phone messages daily to keep us connected to you! She is also engaged with online training in grooming, pet care & CPRand more and is excited to share her new knowledge with the women in the program when we return.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Beth & Sarah have been exploring all of the cool online options for keeping folks connected and engaged! Beth has been learning the wonders of Zoom and hosting team meeting and check-ins. We're so fortunate to keep our full staff employed! Sarah is learning new platforms for connecting our supporters and checking in on our volunteers.
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NEW STAFF & VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
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Lynn Kolp is our new Service
Dog Program Assistant!
Lynn served in numerous positions within law enforcement her entire adult life, including seven years as a Gig Harbor Community Service Officer. She has three pooches that welcome her home every day and stays healthy by playing ice hockey with her husband and doing anything active outside.
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We are SO GRATEFUL to our wonderful volunteers who stepped up to take in our program dogs and provide safe and engaging foster homes.
Currently all of our service dogs-in-training are out of the facility as a precaution to COVID-19. They've been keeping up the service training work and updating us with cute pics a long the way. Team PPP is a mighty one! Thank you Turi, Heather, Margret, John, Jennifer, Ali, Deb, Lois, Diane, Becca, and Amy!
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STAY-AT-HOME TRAINING TIP from PPP Service Dog Manager, Kim Hyde
Being confined at home with your dog is a great time to focus on training. Dogs need mental and physical stimulation just like us. So after a walk try teaching your dog a new trick! Some suggestions are:
- Balance a treat on their nose and “catch it”.
- “Catch” a tossed treat in the air. (Hint- use plain popcorn to teach)
- “Find the......” Start with a favorite toy such as a ball, hide it close, then all over your home gradually. Then teach other “names” for toys.
- Teach obedience in a foreign language for fun!
- Train a “go to bed” every time someone rings the doorbell. (Kids are great to help practice this!)
Also, remember if your dog is getting less exercise and more treats to cut back on the kibble. We need to watch our pets weight if we want them to live a long healthy life!
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