2 dogs complete obedience training at Albion women’s prison
Provided photos from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: The Albion Correctional Facility held a graduation program on Wednesday for two dogs that completed a 14-week obedience and socialization program with inmates serving as the dogs’ handlers. Pictured, front row, from left: Princess, one of the dogs; Paula Werenczak, Team Princess handler; Susan Squires, Albion Correctional Facility superintendent; Penny, the other dog; Barbara Walker, Team Penny handler; and Carrie Reichenbach, Team Princess handler. Standing, from left: Jeff McKoy, NYS Department of Corrections of Community Supervision deputy commissioner; Christopher Bourke, Orleans County undersheriff; Kathleen Smith, Orleans County animal control officer; Dustin Meredith, Orleans County animal control officer; Daniel Martuscello, NYSDOCCS executive deputy commissioner; Patricia Ciulla, Albion Correctional Facility deputy superintendent for program services; Joseph Clem, Albion Correctional Facility psychologist II; Katie Kifner, Albion Correctional Facility offender rehabilitation coordinator; Yamisha Alamedaguzman, Team Penny handler; and Gloria Rodriguez, Team Penny handler.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
Penny
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that on April 17, two dogs from the Orleans County Sheriff’s Animal Shelter graduated from the Canine Training Program at the Albion Correctional Facility.
Undersheriff Christopher Bourke reports that the partnership between agencies has had a positive effect on everyone involved. Two teams, consisting of three handlers each, work as a team to live with, train and care for each of the dogs in the facility program for approximately 14 weeks.
Princess
One of the results of this amazing program is the benefit to the shelter dog. Penny and Princess have learned through obedience training and living in the facility to socialize with people and other dogs along with receiving love and attention.
This program allows them to become excellent candidates for adoption from our shelter. The second benefit of the program is the positive effect on the inmates participating. The handlers learn new skills in handling and caring for animals. As they work through the program, they can see the results of their hard work, love and dedication as the dog makes progress.
After meeting the handlers, you can see the positive effect this program has had on them. Many of the handlers and staff were teary eyed as the dogs were preparing to return to the shelter for adoption.
“We feel this is a win-win situation,” Undersheriff Bourke said. “The handlers and the dogs are getting a second chance in life and we at the Sheriff’s Office are proud to be a part of his program.”
