Four female prisoners serving long sentences are set to become New Zealand's first prisoners to train puppies to assist people with disabilities.
When launching the pilot 'Puppies in Prisons' programme at the Auckland Region Women's Corrections Facility in July, Corrections Minister Hon Phil Goff described it as a unique way for prisoners to develop skills while doing something positive for the community and repaying a debt to society.
Two puppies will be trained by four prisoners to perform up to 90 different functions for disabled people such as bringing in the paper, pushing buttons and opening doors.
"This initiative works well overseas and it's something that we have been looking to do in New Zealand for some time," says Department of Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews.
"Low-security prisoners had been carefully chosen for the scheme."
While the four selected prisoners are not child abusers, Barry says there is every chance that child abusers might be involved in the programme because they're a group who could benefit the most.
It is hoped that caring for the puppies will encourage a strong sense of nurturing and responsibility among the prisoners.
Research has shown the rate of re-offending for the prisonbased trainers is reduced.
Prisoners are ideally suited for the role in that they're able to spend all day with the pups who require full-time care and training for 18 months.
Finding people who can commit that time has limited the number of puppies being trained to date.
At present the waiting time for a mobility dog for someone with a physical disability is more than 10-years.
The pups will stay in the prison from Monday to Friday.
They'll be sent out to homes at weekends where they can socialise and experience the sights and smells of a typical community.
Bradley says any problems with the pups will be quickly picked up.
Auckland University student Amy Hogan is confined to a wheelchair. Her dog Bonnie picks things off the floor, takes off her socks and shoes and acts as a brace for balance.
Ms Hogan says having a mobility dog has changed her life.
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ISSN 1178-8453