The PAWS program at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex pairs TJJD youth with K-9 partners, from the Corinne T. Smith Animal Shelter, for 12 weeks. During this time, the dogs learn basic commands, improve their socialization skills and earn the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizenship certification.
To date, the PAWS program has had 80 canines graduate with 78 successful adoptions. The youth benefit by learning to demonstrate empathy, compassion and responsibility. They are responsible for their dogs at all times and do all the feeding, grooming and training. The dogs live in the dorms with the students.
Two AKC graduates are currently ready for adoption.
Tamone (pictured left) is rust-colored Chihuahua mix who weighs less than 5 lbs. He is very friendly and loves attention. Tamone has a hyper side to him but will relax when given attention. He has learned several tricks including high-fives and would do best in a house with older children. He loves to play fetch and burrow under a blanket.
Blessed, on the other hand, is a two year-old Labrador Retriever that weighs 60 lbs. He has a very friendly temperament and loves to play. We don’t know a lot about Blessed’s history but he obviously had a very rough time before he came to the PAWS program. Blessed (pictured left) is missing a hind leg but this in no way slows him down. If anything, it makes him more determined. He is a very intelligent dog who learns new things quickly and would thrive in a family with an active lifestyle. In addition to the commands that Blessed has had to learn for his AKC certification, he has also mastered high-five, hugs, fetching and crawling.
Those interested in providing a forever home for one of these beautiful animals are encouraged to contact Holli Fenton, Dorm Supervisor at 325-641-4260 or Freda Day, Corinne T. Smith Animal Center Director, at 325-646-0617.
