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The trainers and the poodle puppies
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NH Pathways to Hope is a cooperative effort between the NH State Prison for Men in Concord, Dee Ganley Dog Training Services, Russell Animal Hospital and volunteers.
Rarely does a public service program appear that doesn’t cost the taxpayers anything.
NH Pathways to Hope, however, is funded entirely by donations. Dee Ganley contributes her time and expertise. She, the Advisory Board and volunteers, supply incidentals like toys and training equipment for the dogs. Food and treats that are not donated by suppliers are purchased with money from supporters of the program.
Veterinary bills for regular checkups, spaying and neutering, and emergencies are a major expense covered by donations. The inmates also contribute by selling hobby craft items at the prison store - with the proceeds going to the program. Those funds purchase grooming supplies like shampoo and brushes and other incidentals.
Service Dog trainee learning to turn on the lights with his inmate trainer
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NH Pathways to Hope is a volunteer-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to train service dogs to further the independence of people with physical disabilities.
All of the rescued or donated dogs receive basic skills training. Those who have appropriate temperaments, continue their training to become service dogs, while living with inmates in the prison. This program helps inmates incarcerated at NH Men’s State Prison learn how to train, groom and board dogs. The inmate-trainers have the opportunity to learn valuable pet industry related vocational skills. Those skills will serve them well in finding employment when they resume their lives outside of prison.
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