Baraga testimonials

The Leader Dogs for the Blind award-winning prison puppy-raising program has a positive effect no matter where the puppies are being raised. The program started 12 years ago at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility in Iowa. According to Warden James McKinney, the recidivism rate at his facility is significantly lower than at prisons nationwide. He attributes this to the puppy-raising program.

Inmate raisers at the Chippewa Correctional Facility read personal testimonials at their Puppy Days celebration in July. (Read Scott's speech here, Ro's speech here, and Doug's speech here.)

Two raisers at the Baraga Correctional Facility agreed to share their personal stories. Here are their words... 


RICKY

My name is Richard Dean Hetherington, but most people call me Ricky. I am 37 years old and from the Oakland County area. Right now, I am currently serving time at the Baraga Correctional Facility where I have been blessed in being part of the Leader Dog Program.

I am so grateful, and thankful for this program and the people involved. Even more, I am blessed to have my little buddy Bear come into my life. Bear, and this program, have taught me more about my life, and life in general, than any program in 15 years of prison. This little guy has given me more than I’ll ever be able to teach him.

Ricky and FLD Bear.

When I wake up in the morning I am waking up for someone other than myself. When situations happen here in prison, or even in the world, I have to stop, and think how my reaction will affect me, my team and Bear. Everyday, I learn love, patience, responsibility and being able to think things through.

Teamwork has been something new. Teamwork, and getting along can be a problem in prison. I’ve watched my team evolve, and change as men. All of us have worked through and reacted differently in situations. People don’t realize that we’re not just training puppies. We are trying to change ourselves. This program has not only given us the tools, but has given us hands on training. Dealing with people, and problems in and out of prison.

The best thing for me personally, is a sense of pride. A sense of purpose. For once in my life I am proud of myself. I feel like I have found something I love, and I’m good at. To be ale to give back, and be part of something bigger than myself or my problems. Seeing, and hearing my family proud. To have them hear and see the change in me.

I started this program in a dark, ugly place in my life. My whole life revolved around selfishness, impulse and hopelessness. Inside and out of prison I felt lost with no purpose. Today, I know what it feels like to wake up with a purpose. To have hope that today will be a good day. To be proud of what I’m part of, that I will be responsible, patient, and think things through. To love and be loved.

Bear, and the people in this program make the day, and this place, not so dark and ugly. Pretty crazy, what a convict can teach a puppy. What’s even crazier is what a little puppy can teach a convict.

Thank you, 

Ricky D. and Bear 

STEVE

My name is Steven Williams and I am a prisoner at Baraga Correctional Facility for the crime of larceny from a building, serving a term of 2-15 years. I am 51 years old.

The Leader Dog program recently introduced at this facility has helped me change my ways of thinking – acting – and responding to people in more positive ways than numerous rehabs and incarcerations combined.

I started doing drugs at nine years old – sneaking beer and smoking pot. I have been addicted to drugs my whole life. I have had many devastating and negative responses to my lifestyle. And the feelings of uselessness, shame, embarrassment and hopelessness I believed that drugs could make it all go away. My dad was an alcoholic. My mom is a saint. Dysfunction and poverty was a way of life, thought normal. I started dealing drugs then became my best customer. I lied, cheated, stole and showed no respect. I made myself believe I raised four children – I had myself believing I was a hard worker – all lies of a drug addict.

Truth is I am 51 years old with too many incarcerations and rehabs – but the love I have for a FLD puppy is melting my layers of lies and irresponsibility, and helping me challenge my patience and persistence. I am a caring puppy handler who is finding a pride in a puppy I co-raised named Axel – and through my diligence and, hopefully, responsible actions I am now the raiser of my second puppy, Farley. This simple program has built more positive pride and sense of achievement in me than all my wasted years combined. To be able to know that my work will personally make the life of a handicapped person better is a blessing that I have never known.

Steve and FLD Farley.

The vision of the Warden, RUM and ARUSs at Baraga are not only changing our lives one puppy at a time – but the lives of the prison atmosphere.

After years of negativity – and lies – it’s more than a gift of Leader Dog to allow us this opportunity – it’s a gift of life that allows us this opportunity to change who we are and who I am.

Thank you

In their words...Doug

July 17, 2014
Chippewa

Here is Doug's speech...

Doug reads his speech.

My name is Pinson, I am the handler for Chewy, my new assistant is Peterson, and I want to take this time to thank him for doing a great job and for stepping up to be my assistant when my other assistant Gregerzeski stepped up to help Morrison with his brand new puppy. We have an awesome group of guys here. Chewy is a 7.5 month-old, 87 pound sable color German Shepherd. I received him on January 31^st of this year. He was only 6.5 weeks old, 14 pounds. He was a small ball of brown fur with a black ring around the middle of his tail. He looked like a little wolf puppy. I had the cell and his kennel all set up, puppy toys, food and water bowls. And I had 6 new bags of coffee. I was ready for the night shift, making sure Chewy would be able to go outside the instant he woke up, I wanted to (in the words of Scott Libby) “set him up for success.” I knew that agreeing to raise and train a Leader Dog puppy for 12-14 months would be a lot of hard work and dedication. I was sure I’d have to sacrifice the majority of my time and energy to see to it that Chewy had the best life possible, best training possible and all the love and discipline the life of a Future Leader Dog would need.

Little did I understand the wonderful journey I was about to partake. I make a living in here off of my art, which is very time consuming, plus I always keep an institutional job, work out 4 days a week, write letters to my loved ones, read educational literature, participate in any and all programming classes that become available, make some phone calls from time to time, throw in using the restroom and showers, the 3 chows a day and the 3-4, 45 minute to an hour count times that we have to return and stay in our cells, oh, and don’t forget we have to wait in long lines for mostly all of this. Our days are very structured and busy. I know it sounds crazy to say, but there’s not enough time in a day to complete everything I’m involved in. Now add a puppy into the mix, who is by your side 24/7, and depends on you to eat, drink, play, use the restroom and relies totally on you to be fully potty trained and capable to perform all the commands Leader Dog entrusts us to instill into our puppies. I honestly felt a bit overwhelmed as I had to adjust from 12 years of living in prison the way I felt comfortable for this precious innocent little creature who has no voice for himself. He only has me.

I have 4 children and at the time of my arrest almost 13 years ago, I had full custody of my then 5-year old daughter. I depended on my sister-in-law and babysitter a lot, since I had to work and still have my selfish “social life”. But raising Chewy I sadly but honestly felt for the first time in my life just how frustrated and helpless my children’s mothers felt when I’d get off from work and just go out to the bar or a friend’s house and leave them at home with no car, the kids and my own pet dogs. They use to try to tell me how awful it felt to be alone and not be able to come and go as they please. Having a baby on the hip and dogs to feed and clean up after. Well, when I couldn’t work out, draw, use the phone or get help with Chewy when my assistant was busy working, or doing whatever he needed to do, I actually had to call home and tell my children’s mothers that I was sorry and now at 43 years old, I finally understand how they felt and always tried to make me understand. I felt horrible!!!

So I dove headfirst into the life of Chewy. My entire day and night still revolves around my beautiful pup. I am so very proud of him and how intelligent he is. I have become self-less instead of selfish! I love the monthly puppy meetings and training sessions that Deb, Tammy and Patti implement. I have so much respect for Mr. and Mrs. Bardsley, the zoo vet Doc Bennett and his wife and all his priceless time, medicine and knowledge. Our awesome dedicated and professional ARUS Batho. I thank all of our outside puppy raisers, supporters, sponsors and the Warden and all of his staff for allowing us to have this great opportunity to learn this awesome trade of training and raising Leader Dogs for the Blind and visually impaired. To be able to use our time to give back to society and give others who live in their own prison a little freedom by ensuring they have a healthy well trained guide dog. The problem solving, teamwork, trust and respect earned from staff and civilians, feels real good. In 3 months I’ll have been inside 13 years straight.

This is the very best program and opportunity that I’ve seen or had for rehabilitation. I was allowed to take on a huge responsibility and trusted with a living being. I dedicated my life for 12-14 months to not only training and raising Chewy, but to educate myself by reading numerous books on dog training, dog psychology, emotional and behavioral characteristics of canines, watching clicker training videos, getting hands on group training, learning team work and dealing with inmates who dislike animals and dogs in general. I learned the power of positivity and I feel I’m much better man because of it. As is everyone involved in this program from the top to the bottom. And I give everyone involved my most sincere gratitude…Thank You!

FLD Chewy, the puppy Dough raised.

In their words...Ro

July 17, 2014
Chippewa

Here is Ro's speech...

Ro reads his speech.

My name is Romell Goodson.  I am currently the lead handler and in the care of FLD Sammy………..

Before I go any further into who I am and what this program means to me, I want to give special thanks to several individuals for making all this possible:  First and foremost I want to give thanks to Dave-Paula Bardsley for having this great vision to introduce prisoners raising puppies for Future Leader Dog (FLD).  I want to thank Warden Woods for taking a chance here at this facility with such an amazing program, when nobody else would.  I want to thank Deb Donnelly for being open to the idea of extending FLD to MDOC.  ARUS Batho for giving me a chance and selecting me to be a part of the program here in Pike Unit.  For supporting some of the ideas I’ve brought to the program, for being understanding and making me feel like a human being and less like a criminal.  He’s been right there in the trenches with us through all the ups and downs this past year and with all the many hats he’s worn, he’s handled it like the best of them.   

I want to thank Tammy and Patti for bringing me such a wonderful dog and giving me guidance, effective teachings, support and technique every month, always being helpful.  For always bringing those smiles at times when there was nothing to smile about, and making frustrating days….not so frustrating.   

I would like to thank Dr. Bennett for taking time out of his busy schedule and life to come up to this facility, giving all our dogs medical exams monthly.  For giving us puppy raisers medical insight and knowledge to keep our dogs healthy and safe.  Not to mention…..Sharing the Best…… Stories…….I'll never forget you.   

Thank you to all of our outside puppy raisers:  Kim, who has taken all of our dogs on furloughs, helping in the process of training, giving our dogs experiences that only someone from the outside could give, always staying within the guidelines of FLD rules, being such a joy to the program, and sharing some of the best pictures of all our puppies out in society.  Thanks to Frank for taking all our dogs on furloughs.  Thank you Ms. Oja who had been awesome! In helping keep us always informed as to what's been planned, keeping us organized at times, always willing to lend a helping hand and loves all our dogs as if their her own, along with Ms. Tellis who’s been there from the beginning, doing her part in helping socialize the best Leader Dogs possible here at Chippewa Correctional Facility.  

And to those I may not have mentioned, you know who you are…..from myself and all the people involved here at this facility.  I want to say thank you!

Leader Dogs for the Blind and the program at this facility has been more to me than just getting a puppy, raising it for a year & then handing it back to Leader Dog.   

Yes! This program has educated me on all the technical things which is to be expected like:  Health, Nutrition, and medical issues for dogs.  I learned more than how to teach and train my puppy basic obedience skills, socialization, and desensitizing him to different things.  This program means more to me than getting certificates for AKC STAR…..Puppy Award, Canine good Citizen Certificate or passing my puppies IFT examination.  Sure that’s all great but Ive learned so much more and I AM taking so much more with me.   

I've been incarcerated for over a decade and I've grown a lot over the years as well as learned a lot.  I have close to 40 different programs that I've been involved in and I've gotten a great deal out of them which will help in my future.  However, this program has touched me the most:  Before coming to prison I told myself I would do any and everything for my family, by all means necessary.  Rob, steal, sell drugs and even die if need be.  I had very little value for my own life.  That’s what I thought love was.  Boy was I wrong.   

Over the years I've matured and re-evaluated my entire character and way of thinking. I've matured, I've gained knowledge and wisdom, as well as understanding.  Then there was this program that put the icing on the cake and taught me things that I could have possibly never gotten about life, as well as my self.  I'm more patient with the way people and things progress.  Things will happen for the best if you can be patient and stay at it.  I have a sense of humanity now!  I value life.  I've now come to grips that all these years, 38 years to be exact, I've only been existing.  I have yet to live.  There's a huge and beautiful world out there,  with beautiful people in it.  I've met some of the most genuine people while in this program.  I've asked myself over and over again “are they really like this?”  Yes!  These people are just good people.   

Then there's my best buddy in the world, Sammy.  He’s taught me so much.  A Dog!  My Dog! I never knew fully what love was until now.  I've had many dogs but I've never spent time with them like with this one.  He’s there when I wake up.  He’s there when I go to sleep.  He depends on me.  I'm his world, and his main objective is to make me happy.  Sometimes I feel like he's talking to me.  I understand him and he understands me.  We are one, I feel, a lot of the times.  He teaches me sacrifice.  Its easy to be old Ro.  Lose everything and be separated from my family as well as him.  But I learned self-control and how to deal with my emotions and I do what's right because of my dog Sammy.  He depends on me.  The same way my real family and children do!   

The old Ro is dead and Romell has taken his place.  My mother told me a long time ago, "It don’t make no difference how long it takes you to get it as long as you get it." Today I can honestly say that I got it!  The light switch is on!  These are the type of programs that truly change peoples' lives.  We need this one and more like them here in Michigan especially behind these cold walls and razor wired fences.   

There's one more thing that this program and my Dog taught me that I couldn’t have possible gotten anywhere else.  Well he hasn’t taught me yet but that day is coming…….It’s how to give!  I was a taker all my life and I embrace the day when I can finally give the gift of giving back.  My Dog Sammy is ready.  It’s time to do what he was born to do.  Make someone else's life better, and make the visually impaired more independent.  Be a Leader Dog Sammy.  It took a year to get it and now he’s got it.  And now I got it.  I can see the Big picture and its not all about me any more.  This may be the hardest lesson I've ever learned but I'm ready.  Its time to give back!

                                                                        Thank you

                                                                                                &

                                                                                                            God Bless

FLD Sammy, the puppy Ro raised.

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.