By Sue Davis

Our December 14, 2011, chapter meeting was held at the Renaissance Seattle Hotel. Our thanks to the hotel and its staff for an amazing buffet luncheon!

The meeting began with guests bidding on an array of items donated by suppliers and planners for our annual Holiday Silent Auction. The bidding wars raised $1,879 for our chapter's educational programming, conference scholarships and chapter charities. We gratefully thank the suppliers, planners and all of those who bought items. Your generosity was much appreciated!

The Prison Pet Partnership Program (PPPP) has been the Chapter's Community Service Project since September. We were delighted to welcome Elizabeth Rivard of the PPPP, and her trusty lab, Elvis, who won everyone's heart -- especially President Jan Thor!

Elizabeth told us the program was originally the brainchild of Tacoma Community College in 1984. Due to budgetary constraints, in 1989, TCC had to scale back the program. In 1991, the program became a private non-profit organization, with a mission that clearly explains: "The Prison Pet Partnership Program rescues and trains homeless dogs to provide service dogs for persons with disabilities and operates a boarding and grooming facility to provide vocational education for women inmates. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization operating within the Washington Corrections Center for Women."

The boarding and grooming facility is run by women inmates who are selected from among those who have been incarcerated for at least two years. They meet several times a week for a three to four month training class. If they score 75% or above on the test, they are allowed to work with the PPPP. Each woman is provided the opportunity to learn skills in pet grooming, scheduling appointments, kennel work, etc.

Dogs are brought in from shelters and rescue centers and are paired with an offender. Her job is to be a service dog trainer. Highly skilled service dogs provide greater independence for people with disabilities. Therapy dogs are trained to assist people in residential care facilities and at home. If a dog really just wants to play (e.g., can’t stop romping with children and chasing cats!), they will be adopted out to the public.

After the service dogs have been trained, the offenders teach the clients how to work with their dog. At the end of a two-week training session with the clients, a graduation ceremony is held. Elizabeth said there is not enough Kleenex in the world at this time! Some inmates may have been working with a dog for up to a year and a half. This ceremony "teaches inmates how to let go and move on."

It is important to note there is an average 35% recidivism rate in Washington state, but those inmates who have participated in the PPP Program have a 2-4% recidivism rate. Prior to release from prison, these women get help with resume writing, job applications and interviews. They have many success stories -- a favorite of Elizabeth's was the placement of a woman last August at The Pet Stops Here in Seattle. She was hired as a part-time bather and within a week she became a full-time employee. She recently called Elizabeth to say the store owner wants her to begin a dog training program for the business.

Twenty-five clients are currently on a waiting list; it can take two to five years to receive a service dog. On average, six dogs are placed per year.

Thank you to Elizabeth Rivard for teaching us about this successful program, and to Adele McCormick, the Chapter Community Service Chair, for making us aware of the Prison Pet Partnership Program. What a wonderful service for many people … and dogs!