“There is no great force for change, for peace, for justice and democracy, for inclusive economic growth than a world of empowered women.” - Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
This Spring, Prison Pet Partnership is busy planting the seeds for future growth and with all growth comes change, both big and small. We're excited to share the news and milestones of PPP's leadership and staff, service dog teams, and formerly incarcerated participants.
|
|
Beth Rivard, Executive Director Retires
On behalf of the board of directors of Prison Pet Partnership, we are writing to inform you that we have accepted the resignation of Beth Rivard as Executive Director. Beth is stepping down after 22 years of overseeing the first and oldest prison dog program in the United States.
Upon announcement of her resignation, Beth remarked: “I take with me many extraordinary memories of the people and animals I have worked with over the years. To have witnessed so many lives changed for the better through the human-animal bond will remain one of my top life experiences.”... Read the full announcement here.
|
|
We're Hiring - Executive Director
Transformational vision, collaboration, and follow-through are the heart of this position! Put your talents and skills towards efforts that will significantly impact the lives of others and bring about community change. How? By guiding this organization that trains rescue and purpose-bred dogs as service, therapy, and companion animals while providing vocational education for people experiencing incarceration.
|
|
BOARDING & GROOMING SERVICE UPDATE
|
|
Prison Pet Partnership continues to work with the Department of Corrections to ensure the health and safety of our incarcerated population. Though WA State has entered Phase 3, DOC facilities remain in Phase 1. Due to these restrictions, PPP’s boarding & grooming facility will remain closed through the summer.
|
|
CONGRATS TO OUR NEWEST SERVICE DOG TEAM!
|
|
ANGELOU & LEAH
We are so proud of this team! Angelous and Leah "clicked" almost immediately and their bond deepened quickly. Angelou is able to provide Leah with assistance in stabilizing her during transfers and movements, and task-related skills, like "tug", "get" and "give." Leah and her husband Chris report a general sense of feeling so much happier since Angelou moved in.
|
|
CONGRATS TO OUR RECENT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!
|
|
Melissa inspires us all to do our best for ourselves, each other, and our entire community. This charismatic former PPP groomer and trainer just graduated from Evergreen College and currently works as a Peer Navigator for the Familiar Faces program in Olympia. Melissa shares, "I have discovered a passion for working with women who've been impacted by incarceration, domestic violence, poverty, substance use, and mental health challenges. In my work, I have the opportunity to build people up the way I was built up by PPP. " We couldn't be happier to award Melissa with a full scholarship to attend an Applied Animal Behavior Certificate program at the University of Washington this Fall to enrich her work. Congrats, Melissa! You've earned this!
|
|
|
|
Freedom for Alyssa! Everyone at PPP couldn't be happier that former groomer and trainer, Alyssa was released from WCCW last week and is enjoying family, food, and fun! She expressed that she is both overwhelmed and overjoyed. She starts her new groomer job in a few weeks. Alyssa is a skilled painter, yoga instructor, creative groomer, and all-around amazing human. We were pleased to award her a scholarship for a full set of grooming tools, supplies, and uniform to get her started. You got this, Alyssa! Keep shining bright!
|
|
We need your support to keep serving women like Leah, Melissa, and Alyssa and to take PPP into the next phase of growth!
WAYS TO SUPPORT PPP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|