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    Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

    Puppy Programs

    Training service dogs to assist people and rescue dogs for adoption.

    A golden retriever service dog sits on a leash next to his owner.

    Read the latest edition of All Paws on Deck, the official newsletter of the DOC's puppy programs

    Dog training programs began in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in 2001 when Canine Partners for Life partnered with SCI Cambridge Springs. Since then they have expanded to nearly each state prison in Pennsylvania.

    There are two main types of canine programs in PA: service dog training and adoption training. For service dog training, incarcerated handlers work with partner programs to raise puppies to become service dogs for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities. For adoption training, handlers work with puppies and dogs from local rescues and train them in socialization and obedience to make them more adoptable.

    Whatever puppy program you encounter, you will be able to witness the benefits to the staff, inmates and the community alike!

    State Program List

    Canine Partners for Life (CPL)

    ​SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    ​Benner Township
    		​2022
    		​Service Dogs
    ​Greene
    		​2014
    		Service Dogs​
    ​Laurel Highlands
    		​2015
    		​Service Dogs
    ​Muncy
    		​2003
    		​Service Dogs
    ​Somerset
    		​2015
    		Service Dogs​

    Humane Animal Rescue

    ​SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    ​Fayette
    		​2017
    		​Adoption

    United Disabilities Services (UDS)

    ​SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    ​Houtzdale
    		​2015
    		​Service Dogs

    New Hope Assistance Dogs

    ​SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    ​Pine Grove
    		​2018
    		Service Dogs​
    ​Mercer
    		​2023
    		​Service Dogs
    ​Waymart
    		​2018
    		Service Dogs​

    DAWGS Prison Program

    ​SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    ​Frackville
    		​2016
    		​Adoption
    ​Mahanoy
    		​2016
    		​Adoption

    HOPE - Hounds of Prison Education

    ​SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    ​Camp Hill
    		​2005
    		​Adoption

    Michael's Mission/Anthony's Balanced Canine Training Center

    SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    Forest
    		​2016
    		​Adoption

    America's VetDogs

    SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    Dallas
    		2016
    		​Service Dogs

    Mommy & Me Rescue

    SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    Coal Township
    		2014
    		​Adoption

    Villalobos Rescue Center

    ​SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    ​Rockview
    		​2022
    		​Adoption

    Canine Partners Program Inc.

    ​SCI
    		​Year Started
    		​Program Purpose
    ​Cambridge Springs
    		​2019
    		​Adoption