Willing To Serve, Love And Wag

It is a remarkable story of redemption and hope. A story of those who have taken from society only to learn the joy of giving back. A story of those who's hearts have been previously closed off only to have them open by a furry bundle of joy eagerly waiting to learn and love! It is the story of Puppies Behind Bars.

Puppies Behind Bars is a not for profit organization that trains prison inmates to raise service dogs. One program within the Puppies Behind Bars organization is called DogTags. Under the DogTags Program inmates train puppies to become service dogs for soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The fact that as the puppies mature into well-loved, well-behaved dogs is equally as important as the fact their raisers learn what it means to contribute to society, rather than take from it.
Inmates choosen by DogTags are given an 8 week old puppy to train. The puppies live with the inmates in the cels and are with them 24 hours a day for the duration of the training. At the end, the dogs are given to the service people ready to serve their needs and to help them function back into society.

Like many others, I came to this story via The Oprah Show. Actress Glen Close, who is active with the DogTags organization was on to tell Oprah the story of Frankie, a yellow lab raised by the inmates at Fishkill prison in NY. Frankie was trained and ultimately given to Sgt. Allen Hill.



Sgt. Hill suffers debilitating flashbacks that cause him to freeze and become catatonic. Frankie is trained to lovingly put her paws on the sargent and gently kiss him to bring him out of the state caused by Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. She has given him his life back as he is no longer afraid to go out and live his life. Frankie doesn't leave his side, even while off leash at home.

While the returning solders given dogs are the reasons for the program, they aren't the only benefactors. The inmates training the dogs reap rewards as well. They are now able to pay back to society a debt they didn't think they would be able to pay. They also are receiving unconditional love that allows them to open previously closed off parts of themselves. Parts they close off many times due to abuse. Now they have this being they are responsible for and that loves them!

It is amazing to see the transformation! When Sgt. Hill brought back Frankie to the inmates to say thank you, it was emotional beyond words! What brought me to absolute tears was when one of the inmates said how Frankie was part of their family, now Sgt Hill was part of their family! The redemption and healing this program affords both the inmmates and the solders is remarkable. Watching the videos and reading about this will move and inspire you!

To read Glenn's blog and interview with Sgt. Hill go to:



For more information about Puppies Behind Bars (and to view the most heart warming video...have tissues handy) go to:



Please help out this wonderful program! Spread the word and if you can, donate! A puppy, an inmate and a person in need will be grateful!