Inmate/Canine Educational Program

The Inmate/Canine Educational Training Program began in September 1998, when Circle Tail and the Marion Correctional Institution in Ohio teamed up to help provide dogs for adoption and assistance dogs to individuals with disabilities.  Circle Tail now works with the London, Ohio Reformatory for Women, and Ross Correctional Institutes in Ohio. 

Circle Tail trainers provide regular instruction to the inmates in caring for and training the puppies / dogs. The inmates are responsible for all of the puppies'/ dogs' physical and emotional needs. They oversee their social development, feeding, grooming, and exercise programs, and instruct them in good house manners and basic and advanced obedience. Some inmates also have the opportunity to train the dogs in advanced service skills. The inmates are with the puppies/ dogs at all times except during meals and the puppies/ dogs sleep in crates in the inmates' quarters.

The inmates participate in regularly scheduled educational programs and instructional sessions with Circle Tail trainers and correctional facility program coordinators.

How can I sponsor the Inmate Foster Puppy/Dog Program?

For the Inmate Foster Puppy/ Dog Program to succeed, Circle Tail needs financial support for these teams. The Correctional Institutions provide the manpower and the time to care for, socialize, and train the Circle Tail dogs.  Circle Tail is responsible for all of the financial costs associated with caring for these puppies/ dogs. 

Full sponsorship costs $2,000.00. This donation will be used directly to provide veterinary services, a crate, feeding, grooming, and training items, and toys for the length of time the dog is in the prison program. 

Multiple individuals also can sponsor an inmate foster puppy/ dog team, often as part of an organization, class project or corporate group.  In this case, the application form requests the names of all sponsoring persons so we can recognize and thank each person individually.

You will receive a photo of your puppy/ dog and progress reports.  If your puppy/ dog completes the advanced assistance dog training, you also will receive a picture of the dog and his/her new partner.

Circle Tail is supported entirely by public contributions and receives no government funding. Financial support of Circle Tail is tax deductible as allowed by law.

To sponsor an Inmate Foster Puppy/ Dog team, please print the attached form and send with your tax deductible contribution to the address printed at the bottom of the form.  We thank you for your generosity and consideration and our puppies/ dogs thank you as well!

Shadow, former prison trained dog, now drug detection dog!! Once considered a "throw away dog" in a county shelter is now helping keep the world a little safer! Thanks big guy!!

Notes from the inmate handlers and their dogs:

A Better Way For A Better Day

As I relax on my bed
Thoughts of my dog stir through my head.

Peacefully he lays calmly on the floor
His trouble free mind I enviously adore.

Watching and studying his tranquil way
His thoughts linger no further than the day.

His mindful worries never last
He makes them yesterday's forgotten past.

Living only in the moment at hand
A fearless future lays at his command.

Living life like there is no tomorrow
He gives his all - no regret, no sorrow.

He knows when he delivers his best
The wage paid is a good night rest.

Though he lays there like a bump on a log
Much can be learned from my meek ole dog.

Studying my dog's ways
Inspired knowledge improves my days.

I have heard the wise saying, "Just for Today!"
It was my dog who showed me the way.

– The Humble Trainer
(Inspired by Syne, my Golden Retriever in training)

My name is Victor. I was sent to prison in 1999 for two charges of felonious assault where my victim was beaten severely. I was a very violent person and in prison I became involved in a white supremacy group and was very active. I got a lot of those types of tattoos covering my body in prison and I was mad at the world. I began serving time at the age of 14 in the department of youth services. I always liked dogs and would bring strays home as a kid. I saw the dogs in the prison that Circle Tail brought in and wanted to be a part of the program, but because of my background and the group I was associated with I was turned down several times by the prison. One night rolling the dice in my cell with God (I wasn’t a Christian then) I said “get me in the program and I’ll back out of the gang”. The very next day the prison coordinator called me in his office and said “you’re in, you’re getting a dog, but mess up and you’re headed to the hole”. I was very excited, and then I thought about what I said in my cell the night before. I received my dog and new cell and cell block location and got settled in. Later that evening on the yard I talked to the guys and told them I was done. They wanted to stop me and couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but I meant what I said. Ms. Staley from Circle Tail would come in and teach us how to train our dogs and gave us training manuals I have to this day. I read everything I could get my hands on about training dogs and began to build a bond with my dog. I was green but I slowly learned how to train my dog and I would take him on the yard and show off what he could do. I watched a lot of hardened cons doing time for murder, robbery, etc. come out of their shells when the dogs were around. I watched them love on the dogs when they were cold as steel like I was and they would be on the yard waiting for us to bring our dogs out. I also noticed the fights were down when the dogs were around. My best memory was when Circle Tail brought me a pregnant dog name Lena that I agreed to take and care for. Lena had 12 pups in my cell. It was the first time pups were born in that prison! It was a hot summer in that cell and I missed chow a lot but I wouldn’t change the experience for anything! Circle Tail helped change my life and I haven’t been back to prison. I went from a violent man who could hurt you at a drop of a dime to a man who is now a Christian. My days are not all good but I deal with them with what I learned from the dogs. God put it in my heart to start Dogs Training Young Men Program where I pair up troubled youth with rescue dogs and teach the youth how to train them and I do this free of charge. We plan to take them on field trips at various pet functions and give them a chance to demo their dogs and show off! They will also go on learning trips. I believe every kid matters no matter their background and I believe the dogs will take the drugs and guns out of their hands and change their life like they did mine. None of this would be possible if Circle Tail didn’t take chances with guys like me. I am a Professional Obedience Trainer, certified canine trainer, 4000 hours apprenticed animal behavior therapist and former American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test evaluator. I plan after working with the youth this summer to go back and get my master trainer certification. Please support programs like Circle Tail because each time Ms. Staley goes into the prison she’s saving two lives.

Victor E. Addis, Jr.
www.dogstrainingyouth.com

Wisdom of my Intelligent Dog

Is not a creature that possesses an intelligent mind and imposes no limitations upon itself, a creation of potential, limited only to the creativeness of imagination?

I taught my dog to sit; his learning ability impressed me.
I taught my dog to lay down; that made me think he was quite smart.
I taught my dog to come when called; highly intelligent, he came to me.

Questions came to mind. Does my dog know he is limited?
If not, then does that make him unlimited?

If he imposes no limits upon himself, then is it not my own limitations that impede the discovery of his full potential?
With my own limitations removed, my dog taught me he was capable of learning, performing, and achieving whatever my imagination was creative enough to teach him.

With a new, unlimited imagination I taught my dog to retrieve my shoes, remote control, phone, and other objects. Inspired enthusiasm took over. I taught him to open and close drawers and doors; to turn light switches on and off; to put trash into trash cans. He has even learned to become quite a showman of entertainment, performing his talent of tricks: like catching a treat off his nose to make it disappear, giving handshakes with his paws, and giving a bow after his performance.

I stand in awe, admiring my ordinary dog with the ongoing discovery of his extraordinary talents.

My humility confesses, it is from the intelligence of my dog that me this truth: only when I make my limited mind unlimited like his, am I capable of discovering the possibilities of my full potential.

How nice to be like my dog and have a mind with no limits imposed upon itself. Only then, can the ordinary like myself, become extraordinary like my dog.

Thank you my furry four legged friend for teaching me such wisdom.

Your Humbled Trainer

ZOMER

A Golden Treasure

With a name like Zomer, my expectations were curiously undecided.  But through time and shared experiences he became an exceptional delight that could only be cherished.

        Standing lean in strengthly form to his galloping stride, he is a beauty in motion with reddish golden feathered hair waving in the breeze impressively expressing his glowing vitality.

        Desiring deeply to bond and connect by receiving your enthused approval and affectionate caressing, he’ll become your truest and loyal companion bestowing to you all the splendid riches of his divine wealth.

        His gentleness of heart is complemented by his disciplined obedience - noble and sound in your presence, stable and tranquil in your absence. Friendly and flamboyant in play, he is refined and loving in all his ways relinquishing precious memorable days.

        With accumulated skills and vigor to perform, his talent in action is a worthy display to be admired.  With clever intelligence and zestful competence entwined with a lifetime commitment of devoted service makes him a pleasurable joy to behold.

        In his attentive gaze you’ll be drawn into the gleaming richness of his dark brown eyes which lures you into the purity of his soul.  Captivated in this place you are lured into the purity of his soul.  Captivated in this place the truth becomes known.  All expectations are more than exceeded and through shared experiences a timely decision is undeniably revealed.  Sitting before you is a Golden Treasure honorably named ---

ZOMER

A Little Dog Tale

Dear Circle Tail,

I find it my loyal duty to send you this letter of caution.  My trainer and I were out for a walk the other day.  Feeling a little fatigued I decided to paws for a rest.  So, as a tempting stranger approached, dressed in blue with a leather bag slung at his side, I gave him a sway of my golden tail and a flash of my sugar brown eyes which stopped him dead in his tracks – it works every time.

My trainer has little tolerance with this modest but flirtatious behavior of mine, but behind his stern, tough training exterior, he has a softness for being admired when he’s seen with a foxy lady like myself – bless his doggy loving heart.

As the man commented to my trainer on what a wonderful looking dog he had  J, I could sense a timid fear in him as he cautiously reached out to pet me, like he’s had a dog-gone ruff time of it before.

My trainer wasted no time to take advantage of the moment to brag to the curious stranger of my many talented skills like opening and closing doors, opening and shutting desk and cabinet drawers to retrieve different articles, carrying shopping bags to the car and into the house, picking up trash and putting it into the trash can, turning on and off light switches; and how I do commands like sit, lay down and rolling over – I like that one the best -  I get my belly rubbed.

Not fully convinced, the stranger reached in his leather bag and pulled out some letters, and with a touch of arrogance, grunted, “Um, impressive!  But pigs will fly the day a dog mails letters.”  Being a practical gal and not wanting to ruff-le his ego (I have heard about those disgruntled postal workers) I nevertheless have to say I’m not too dog-gone sure about this flying pig thing.  After all, a picture is worth a thousand words!!

I’m not really sure which is worse, a disgruntled postal worker, a flying pig, or a disgruntled postal worker delivering mail on a flying pig.  Either way, “Heads Up!”

Sincerely,

Seren

Dear Circle Tail,

I just wanted to send you a letter just because I can, and I got the picture to prove it.

I also wanted you to know how excited I am to have learned all these new skills I have now. I never would of believed I could be doing all these things. I didn’t know I had so much potential. I didn’t know I would be given so much attention for picking up a silly plastic pop bottle and dropping it in to a trashcan.

The men here are so funny. They break down into some real softies and lavish me with treats just for doing the simplest things. Get a load of this – they actually give me a treat for lying down and rolling over so they can rub my belly. Is that the life or what!?!?!

Well I have to go. It’s time for one of my strenuous training session of sitting and laying down for treats.

Live is so ruff!

I received this good-looking yellowish, sandy blonde dog with excitement. I instantly fell in love with her big bright shiny brown eyes and thick soft fur. She stood strong in her muscular stature yet with her friendly calmness she is inviting like a snuggling teddy bear.

With a mature dominance she doesn’t care to play much with her own kind and she demands her respect from them.

She is friendly with people but would rather be with her one human companion for personal one on one time of petting and loving.

She has a calm nature and good self-discipline that has made her a pleasure to work with.

My mission with her, in the short time I was to have her, was to teach her obedience and advanced training to make her become a better dog. In an unexpected surprise, she taught me how to become disciplined, consistent and persistent.

When she didn’t perform like I wanted her to she taught me not to use correction to fear doing wrong, but to use gentle guidance and caring leadership to motivate right performance.

When I would get anxious and wanted her to learn faster, she taught me to be patient and to be real and fair with my expectations.

When I was careless and unclear in my demands and she’d become confused, she taught me how to speak more precisely and how to explain myself more clearly and be more understandable in my commands.

With a cold private heart she taught me to open my arms and to receive her joyful kisses and embrace her love of life.

I set out to teach her how to become a better dog; instead she trained me to become a better person.

I know! It just seems backwards.

I have taught this loving companion nothing compared to what she has taught me.

If you receive this bright-eyed beauty, I pray she will teach you too, as well as she has taught me.

-- A Humbled Trainer