Stark Youth Correctional Facility
Graduation March 1, 2008
Graduation March 1, 2008
| Canine Support Teams, Inc. |
| "Changing the way the world thinks about disabilities, one dog at a time" ® |
| 951-301-3625 cstmain@caninesupportteams.org |
Wards united with abused dogs
By Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Article Created: 03/02/2008 10:03:33 PM PST
CHINO - It was love at first sight when ward Brandon met his 2-year-old border terrier mix, Sparky, for the first time Oct. 30.
"I'm bummed out," Brandon said in a Thursday interview at the Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility. His demeanor then
softened, and he added, "I got really attached to her."
After months of being Sparky's primary trainer, with the help of three other wards, 20-year-old Brandon gave her up Saturday
to an official at the facility.
He will stay behind to finish his time for a second-degree murder he committed at age 14.
The Prison Pup Dog Shelter Program is the first of its kind in the state Division of Juvenile Justice, authorities said.
The program is based on positive reinforcement and social learning theory. Its goal is to teach the wards about respect for life,
parenting and responsibility, according to a state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation news release.
Wards earn the right to care for the dogs through good behavior.
Dogs in the program are rehabilitated from previous abuse and neglect and retrained for socialization and obedience for
readoption, Stark Treatment Team supervisor Michelle Lee said Thursday. There were four dogs ready for adoption Saturday.
Lee said four people work with each dog, including one primary trainer, one secondary trainer and two baby-sitters.
"It helps them learn responsibility," said facility spokeswoman Ramona Contreras. "Usually the guys are used to being taken
care of."
Primary trainer and ward Antonio, 23, said Thursday he will feel "real lonely" after his 2-year-old dog, Trixie, is taken from him
to give to a secondary trainer on Saturday.
Antonio, who is in the Chino facility for second-degree murder he committed at age 16, said he has learned patience and
responsibility from taking care of the "very outgoing and curious" canine that would start barking when she heard a door open
or keys rattle. Antonio, who will leave the facility in 2009, said he would like to be back in the program with another dog.
Adan, 21, was heading off to El Paso, Texas, on Sunday to live with his father and take care of Trixie, he said. The ward is
finishing a sentence for robbery and kidnapping at age 15. "It's taught me a lot of responsibility, a lot of patience and a lot of
love," Adan said about taking care of the German shepherd and Doberman mix.
Kwame, 20, of Long Beach, described the Chino canine program as "the best program, period - more than any other
treatment." He admits it was an adjustment to train his cocker spaniel, Coco. "With the dogs, you have to use a high-pitched
voice - I would try to be macho and bring my voice down," Kwame said with a slight grin. But he learned to use a "squeaky
voice" in addressing Coco.
The dogs came from Canine Support Teams Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides specially trained dogs to people with
disabilities other than blindness.
Stark Superintendent Ramon Martinez said the key to the program is "it embraces the restorative justice model" because the
wards provide a community service and give back or make amends for their previous actions. One change in the program will
be increasing the number of dogs from four to six in mid-March, Martinez said. He added as long as he is at the facility, the
program will be in place.
Brandon, who has two years left on his sentence, won't forget Sparky, who was hyper and didn't obey until he received a new
harness and threats of getting sprayed with a mix of mouthwash and water. Now, instead of jumping on people, Brandon said,
Sparky walks up to someone and wags his tail.
"He sobered up and straightened out," Brandon said with a smile.
To see pictures of the program, click the paw-->>
Due to the amazing success of this program, all 4 of the dogs were adopted at the Adoption
Fair on March 1, 2008 held at the Orange County Animal Shelter.
By Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Article Created: 03/02/2008 10:03:33 PM PST
CHINO - It was love at first sight when ward Brandon met his 2-year-old border terrier mix, Sparky, for the first time Oct. 30.
"I'm bummed out," Brandon said in a Thursday interview at the Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility. His demeanor then
softened, and he added, "I got really attached to her."
After months of being Sparky's primary trainer, with the help of three other wards, 20-year-old Brandon gave her up Saturday
to an official at the facility.
He will stay behind to finish his time for a second-degree murder he committed at age 14.
The Prison Pup Dog Shelter Program is the first of its kind in the state Division of Juvenile Justice, authorities said.
The program is based on positive reinforcement and social learning theory. Its goal is to teach the wards about respect for life,
parenting and responsibility, according to a state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation news release.
Wards earn the right to care for the dogs through good behavior.
Dogs in the program are rehabilitated from previous abuse and neglect and retrained for socialization and obedience for
readoption, Stark Treatment Team supervisor Michelle Lee said Thursday. There were four dogs ready for adoption Saturday.
Lee said four people work with each dog, including one primary trainer, one secondary trainer and two baby-sitters.
"It helps them learn responsibility," said facility spokeswoman Ramona Contreras. "Usually the guys are used to being taken
care of."
Primary trainer and ward Antonio, 23, said Thursday he will feel "real lonely" after his 2-year-old dog, Trixie, is taken from him
to give to a secondary trainer on Saturday.
Antonio, who is in the Chino facility for second-degree murder he committed at age 16, said he has learned patience and
responsibility from taking care of the "very outgoing and curious" canine that would start barking when she heard a door open
or keys rattle. Antonio, who will leave the facility in 2009, said he would like to be back in the program with another dog.
Adan, 21, was heading off to El Paso, Texas, on Sunday to live with his father and take care of Trixie, he said. The ward is
finishing a sentence for robbery and kidnapping at age 15. "It's taught me a lot of responsibility, a lot of patience and a lot of
love," Adan said about taking care of the German shepherd and Doberman mix.
Kwame, 20, of Long Beach, described the Chino canine program as "the best program, period - more than any other
treatment." He admits it was an adjustment to train his cocker spaniel, Coco. "With the dogs, you have to use a high-pitched
voice - I would try to be macho and bring my voice down," Kwame said with a slight grin. But he learned to use a "squeaky
voice" in addressing Coco.
The dogs came from Canine Support Teams Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides specially trained dogs to people with
disabilities other than blindness.
Stark Superintendent Ramon Martinez said the key to the program is "it embraces the restorative justice model" because the
wards provide a community service and give back or make amends for their previous actions. One change in the program will
be increasing the number of dogs from four to six in mid-March, Martinez said. He added as long as he is at the facility, the
program will be in place.
Brandon, who has two years left on his sentence, won't forget Sparky, who was hyper and didn't obey until he received a new
harness and threats of getting sprayed with a mix of mouthwash and water. Now, instead of jumping on people, Brandon said,
Sparky walks up to someone and wags his tail.
"He sobered up and straightened out," Brandon said with a smile.
To see pictures of the program, click the paw-->>
Due to the amazing success of this program, all 4 of the dogs were adopted at the Adoption
Fair on March 1, 2008 held at the Orange County Animal Shelter.
| We would like to thank Tamar Geller, founder of The Loved Dog™, a renowned life coach for dogs and the people who love them, for sponsoring the first 4 dogs that graduated from our Prison Pup Rescue Program Heman G. Stark Youth Correctional Facility. Together we are making a difference in the lives of youths and animals at risk. |
