[nagdu] Fort Dodge inmates thanked for work training guide dogs

[Steven Johnson]

A nice article regarding correctional facility-raised dogs.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/abetteriowa/2015/08/25/guide-
dogs-fort-dodge-correctional-
facility-inmates/32330109/?kwp_0=38600&utm_campaign=kw&utm_medium=social&utm
_source=facebook



Fort Dodge inmates thanked for work training guide dogs


Associated Press 4:32 p.m. CDT August 25, 2015






Inmates Train Puppies

(Photo: AP)

FORT DODGE, Ia. - A blind man is thanking inmates at the Fort Dodge
Correctional Facility for their work in training puppies that become guide
dogs.

Len Quinn said he greatly relies on his 3-year-old dog that he said has
saved his life on a number of occasions. He said the definition of a hero is
someone who does "something special, who changes a life." He told the
inmates that they were his heroes during a Sunday speech at the fifth annual
Puppy Days at the facility.

Quinn said vision loss significantly changes someone's everyday life - he or
she can no longer read a newspaper, see his or her children or grandchildren
and will never experience a sunset again, The Messenger reported.


Len Quinn, of Green Lake Wis., stands with his Leader
Len Quinn, of Green Lake Wis., stands with his Leader Dog, Slyder, as he
tells inmates at Fort Dodge Correctional Facility that they are heroes for
raising Leader Dogs. (Photo: AP)

"It doesn't leave much left," Quinn told the inmates. "But because of you,
the light has been turned on. Because of you, we are able to walk the
streets and go to stores."

Quinn is one of more than 550 people who have benefited from dogs raised by
inmates under Warden James McKinney.

McKinney said the dogs also help inmates in their rehabilitation, because it
helps them learn responsibility and compassion in training the animals, and
how to handle loss when the dogs must leave for service.

"The one thing most places don't realize is that inmates may have done some
bad things, but it's our job to make sure they are better people when they
walk out that door," he said. "This program does that."

John Cowles, an inmate who trained 13-month-old Gabby, said he expects to
shed some tears when he says goodbye to her.

"When they gave her to me, I started crying," he said. "And I know when she
leaves, I'll be crying again."

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Casey Shulte, an inmate at Fort Dodge Correctional
Casey Shulte, an inmate at Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, holds Nelson,
the 4-month-old Leader Dog he is training. (Photo: AP)




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