In their words...first up, Scott

July 17, 2014
Chippewa

Four inmate raisers took the podium during the Chippewa Puppy Days program. Morrison, Scott, Ro, and Doug opened up to the crowd about what the puppy-raising program has meant to them personally.

There was not a dry eye in the place.

I asked the men if I could have a copy of their speeches. Morrison wanted to rewrite his speech to include things he edited out. Unfortunately, I never got his rewrite. Scott, Ro, and Doug immediately handed me their written words, and gave me permission to share.

Here is Scott's speech...

Inmate raiser Scott reads his testimony to the interested crowd.

My name is Scot Libby also known as Winburn. As a seasoned insider with 25-years in, and having lived more years in confinement than as a free person in society, I can stand before you and credibly say that of all the educational, vocational and cognitive therapy based programs I’ve been in, our Prisoner Puppy Raiser Program has been, by far, the most nourishing and rewarding thing. I’ve done as an individual.

As some of you may know, my puppy’s name is Drummond and he and I well be officially separated tomorrow. Thus, it is odd for me to be at the podium with both feelings of impending loss and the never-ending gratitude I have for being selected as one of the first prisoner’s in this state to spear-point something so good and being blessed with the opportunity to help someone gain a sense of freedom and independence of their own.

In life, what sometimes seems to be the end is really a new beginning and that holds true for Drummond and I. He is off to guide school so he can lead, and I have been issued a parole where I can lead by example using the life lessons taught to me by all the volunteers, instructors and mentors I have been in constant contact with over the past 12 months.

Admittedly, incarcerated persons have plenty of free time on their hands. They can utilize it by watching television, sitting around complaining or associating with others who choose to do nothing constructive. Or, they can utilize “time” (the best resource they got) to their advantage by working to acquire a skill and improve their employability prospects. With the puppy raising program, time is well spent and most people give you consideration for what you’re trying to accomplish, the manner you conduct yourself, the way you speak, etc. Even hardened correctional officers show you respect. when a CO tells you that you’re doing a great job raising and training your puppy, even though he’s the meanest guy in the prison, that’s when you see that this program is a good thing and that you’re really breaking down barriers. Furthermore, when you’ve been in prison as long as I have and identified as a number, you want positive feedback because it lets you know you’re doing good and it ain’t hurting nobody.

Interestingly, the Prisoner Puppy Raising Program is done with no financial aid from the state, and is kept afloat by donations, volunteers, and even support from our own prisoner benefit fund. At the same time, our veterinarian services are delivered pro-bono by one of the smartest vets in the Midwest. We get monthly visits and top-flight care, along with the most gracious education and teaching by our mentor (Doc Bennett and his wife Deb). Alone, these people have given us so much. Doc Bennett’s got class, courtesy, charisma, and compassion in his heart that is second to none.

All in all, this program meets the MDOC’s goal of reducing redivisim, enhancing public safety, and saving the taxpayers’ money. In the same vein, together we are all taking a part in making a difference in a blind or visually impaired person’s life, igniting our passion to do something good and inspiring the best in us. Plus, I am now armed with new tools to give me an advantage in the jobs market upon my release. I have learned kennel and house training procedures, received over 12 sessions of dog training techniques, developed ways to apply obedience training, socialization, and how to desensitize canines for different stimuli challenges facing people with dogs. Additionally, I have been taught and watched videos and DVD’s on Karen Pryor clicker training methods and read lots of books on capturing, luring and shaping techniques. Most importantly, I have learned the benefits of “positive reinforcement” training methods, which not only taught my puppy how to be an independent thinker, and trusting, reliable and confident teammate, but also taught me patience, understanding and care.

In closing, I want to say think you to everybody that’s been involved in this program, because there are so many to name. Dave and Paula Bardsley had the vision, Warden Woods had the wisdom and intelligence to try something new, and ARUS Batho brought us to the Grand Canyon and told us to look over to the other side because he was going to build us a bridge to get to the mountaintop. He raised attention to this program, he carried out the Warden’s will, held out two jobs, and created a phenomenon that set Michigan for a destiny in its prison system to give back to communities, and help prisoners become better people, not better ciminals. In years to come, I know his legacy will will not be forgotten and I m so inspired by his leadership, professionalism, and willingness to give his all to something so great. And to Kim, Tammy, Patti, Deb Donnelly, Jessica, Elain, and everyone else, I’m going to make you proud.

And here is the puppy Scott raised, FLD Drummond.

One year already!?

I left you hanging in time with my last post, patient readers, which took place in April at the Chippewa Correctional Facility. I have yet to tell you of our May and June travels to the UP prisons...the delivery of two more puppies to Chippewa and two more to Baraga, "tagging" and games, puppy furloughs and more. I will go back, I promise. But first, this...

July, 2014
Chippewa

Any puppy raiser will tell you - a year with a Future Leader Dog passes by much too quickly. Even when there are times you wonder if your brand new puppy will ever sleep through the night, never mind when it will get the idea that outside is the place to "park," the year is over before you know it.

Just when you've survived adolescent aggravations, it is time. Time for your puppy to return to Leader Dogs for the Blind. Time for your puppy to make good on all your hard work. Time to see if your puppy has what it takes to become a working guide dog.

For puppy raisers who are also prison inmates, this fast-fled year comes with mixed emotions. While never having spent a night in prison myself I can only guess that, normally, prison time creeps by for inmates counting the days until parole. For a select group of puppy-raising inmates at the Chippewa Correctional Facility, caring for Future Leader Dog puppies has made this past year fly. Now puppies must leave. And soon some raisers will make parole.

In July of 2013, Deb Donnelly (Puppy Developement Supervisor at Leader Dogs), along with puppy counselor Tammy, myself and volunteers Dave and Paula, met with Warden Jeffrey Woods and his staff at the facility. ARUS Rob gave us a tour of Pike Unit. We met a polite group of carefully selected inmates who hoped to become puppy raisers. We showed off Deb's career-changed German Shepherd Tripp, and FLDs Strider, Harper, and Dutch.

Deb gave the facility a Leader Dogs "paws up." A month later, she and Tammy handed off two male golden retriever puppies to the first two-men teams. FLDs Drummond and Bravo blazed the way for Michigan's first prison puppy raising program.

You might have been reading the "rest of the story."

Now, almost one year later, the two-golden boys are due to return to Leader Dogs for formal guide dog training. But not until the Chippewa Correctional Facility opened its gates for supporters of the program. On July 17, 2014, over 100 guests willingly entered the prison to enjoy a one-year-anniversary celebration, Chippewa Puppy Days!

A prison committee consisting of staff and inmate raisers planned the party. Speeches by the warden, ARUS Rob, and Deb pointed out the benefits of this win-win arrangement. Dr. Richard Bennett, DVM, who donates his services to the program, joked to the Lions Club members in the crowd that he had brought some feline distemper shots along with him. Elaine and her working Leader Dog Ischgi expressed heartfelt thanks to the raisers for their hard work in helping give independence to the blind and visually impaired.

It was all very moving.

The puppy raisers performed a demonstration with their puppies to show off the self-control the pups have learned. Basketballs, recalling dogs, men running and clapping and stepping over the pups and every puppy did their best.

The Chippewa raisers and their Future Leader Dog puppies line up for their demonstration.

 
It was impressive.

And then. Four of the raisers spoke about what the experience over the past year has meant to them. Morrison, who is raising Bravo, Scott raising Drummond, Ro raising Sammy, and Doug raising Chewy. (Stay tuned for more on what these men had to say...)

There was not a dry eye in the place.

Afterwards, as the raisers stood along the sidewall of the gymnasium with their teams, the crowd filed by and shook hands with each one and greeted their puppies. Later, one raiser expressed his amazement over the attention. "I thought everyone would head right over to the food," he said. (Chippewa has a culinary arts program - the homemade gourmet pizzas and sweet deserts were delicious!)

I am proud to be associated with this group of dedicated individuals. Per ARUS Rob and the raisers' request, I put together a slideshow of our year at Chippewa to show at Puppy Days. Here it is!

To view Northern Michigan's 9/10 News coverage of the event, visit

MIGreatPlaces; Visionary Partnership in the Upper Peninsula.