Hide Transcript Show Transcript

ON WHERE THEY ARE GOING. KRISTEN: THE DOGS ARRIVED HERE AT THE MERRIMACK COUNTY JAIL THREE AND A HALF MONTHS AGO AND THEY ARE ABOUT TO HEAD TO THEIR NEW HOMES TO HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS. THESE FOUR CHOCOLATE LABS HAVE JUST COMPLETED MORE THAN THREE MONTHS OF BASIC TRAINING AT THE MERRIMACK COUNTY JAIL IN BOSCAWEN. EACH PUP RECEIVED A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND THEIR OWN DIPLOMA. >> WE ARE ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED AT HOW WELL THE VOLUNTEER PARTICIPANTS HAVE DONE WITH THEIR PUPPIES. KRISTEN: THE JAIL TEAMED UP WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED HERO POPS -- PUPS, WHICH HELPS PLACE DOGS WITH FIRST RESPONDERS AND VETERANS WHO MAY BE DEALING WITH POST TRAUMATIC STRESS. SEVERAL INMATES VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME TO GET THEM READY. INMATE BRANDON BECK HAS BEEN WORKING WITH HIS DOG CHANCE SINCE FEBRUARY. TEACHING HIM HOW TO SIT WALK ON -- SIT, WALK ON A LEASH, AND BEHAVE OUTDOORS. >> HE ALWAYS LETS ME KNOW WHEN HE NEEDS TO GO OUT, WHAT TIME, HE HAS HIS THAT WILL. KRISTEN: CHANCE HAS LIVED IN BRANDON’S ROOM AND HAS BEEN BY HIS SIDE 24/7, SOMETHING HE SAYS HAS CHANGED HIS LIFE FOR THE BETTER. >> I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THE STAFF AND HERO PUPS. HE GAVE ME A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON EVERYTHING. KRISTEN: THE JAIL’S SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THE PROGRAM IS HAVING A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE INMATES SOMETHING THEY , DIDN’T ANTICIPATE. >> WE ARE REALLY EXCITED FOR THEM. THEY EXCEEDED EVERYBODY’S EXPECTATIONS. THERE CERTAINLY READY FOR THE NEXT STEP OF TRAINING AND THERE FOREVER HOME. >> I KNOW HE IS LEAVING BUT HE’S GOING TO BETTER THINGS AND I KNOW HE WILL DO GOOD. KRISTEN: BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS HERE AT THE MERRIMACK COUNTY JAIL, THEY WILL RECEIVE ANOTHER ROUND OF THESE MAY 1. -- OF PUP

Advertisement Dogs trained by inmates don caps, gowns for graduation Merrimack County Jail inmates train dogs through Hero Pups program

Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Four dogs that were trained by inmates to help others graduated Friday from their program at the Merrimack County Jail.The chocolate Lab puppies arrived at the jail three and a half months ago and are now about to head to their new homes to help make a difference in the lives of others. The jail teamed up with the organization Hero Pups, which places dogs with first responders and veterans who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder."We are absolutely astounded at how well the volunteer participants have done with their puppies," said Laura Barker, founder of Hero Pups.Several inmates volunteered their time to get the puppies ready. Inmate Brandon Beck has been working with his dog, Chance, since February, teaching him how to sit, walk on a leash and behave outdoors."He always lets me know when he needs to go out, what time he needs to go out," Beck said. "He's got his schedule."Chance has lived in Beck's room and has been by his side 24/7, something Beck said has changed his life for the better."I'm so grateful for the staff and the Hero Pups who have done this for me," Beck said. "It has given me a positive outlook on everything."Jail Superintendent Ross Cunningham said the program had a profound impact on the inmates, who did a good job getting the puppies ready for their next steps."We are really excited for them," Cunningham said. "I think they definitely exceeded everyone's expectations. They are certainly ready for the next step of training and for their forever home.""I know he is leaving, but he is going to better things, so I know he is going to do better things in the future," Beck said.Because of the success of the program, the jail will receive another round of puppies May 1. This time, they will be yellow Labs.