The Blackwater River Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility is happy to announce the graduation of five new service dogs from our Service Dog Program. Here at Blackwater we partner 8-week-old puppies with inmates who learn through classwork and on-the-job training how to properly train a high-quality service dog. The Service Dogs provide a new sense of freedom and lifesaving companionship for Veterans/First Responders with disabilities. Inmate Canine Handlers train the puppies in the areas of Behavioral, Obedience, Body Handling, and Service Dog Task Training. They train the puppies Monday through Friday, then the puppies go on weekend furloughs with dedicated volunteer Weekend Puppy Raisers. Weekend Puppy Raisers socialize the future service dogs in public settings, reinforce obedience commands, and teach house manners. The Service Dog Program is a great asset to our facility, and we are very proud to be celebrating this achievement!
