Life plugs along at a slow pace in Lockhart, Texas. For folks from Austin, it's an escape from the hectic city life and a place to sample some of the state's best barbecue. Yet this town is anything but an escape for the women who call the Lockhart Prison home. They not only serve their sentences here, they learn new skills to try to keep them away from a life of crime. In one of the dorms, that skill is dog training. Prisoners are paired with pups that are dangerously close to being put to sleep. Then something magical happens, as canines and criminals learn critical life lessons from one another.Each day about a dozen partners discover new purpose together. Stephanie is paired with a dog named Journey. The dog's former owners dumped her off at the veterinarian's office to be put down. Instead, he called the Paws in Prison program. At first, Journey was terrified. Now, Stephanie says, she's come a long way and she is one of the most sweet and affectionate dogs we have. Training Journey has been a life changing experience for Stephanie. I was kind of a closed off person, really shy and the dog brings out the best in you! It's really hard just to be in a place like this and just the love she shares and has for us -- it makes you feel like you are worth something. Ellen and Rain are another success story. Rain was rescued by the Humane Society and for a while she could only hide under Ellen's bunk. Then, Rain learned to trust again. They both did. Ellen says it's made a huge difference in her life. When you get the opportunity to give something back and rebuild confidence and self-esteem, I think that's a big plus. It's a lot more of a giving feeling than just being in prison.These prisoners and their pets aren't together forever. Once the dogs are ready for adoption, families are found to give them permanent, loving homes. In the past few years more than 200 dogs have been adopted through the program. Stephanie admits the goodbyes are bittersweet. You're with them all day, every day and you love them and they love you. It's hard, but it's still a happy moment because they are going to have a home forever!Eventually, the inmate gets a new rescue and builds a new bond as dog and trainer teach each other how to live again.For more information, go to [ Ссылка ] Judy Maggio
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