|
Sending puppies to prison.
Chase Benoit, with a pair of service dogs in training in San Quentin. Photo: nbcbayarea.com
Our story is about a marvelous program, which sends select puppies to prisons so that carefully chosen inmates, over a year's time, can train them to become service dogs.
This puppy program, which began in April 2023, is run by Canine Companions, a nonprofit based in Santa Rosa which supplies free service dogs to people with disabilities.
In San Quentin, which houses some of the worst criminals in California, one of the first inmates selected was Chase Benoit, who lives in a broom closet sized prison cell.
Chase was given Wendel, a baby black labrador/golden retriever mix.
(Story continues from "Read More")
Chase, who is serving 15-years-to life for second-degree murder, told CBS News, San Francisco:
"Being in this program, it's given me something that I think I've searched for my whole life. And that was meaningful purpose, doing something that's good, better, bigger than myself and feeling like I'm part of something great."
A year later:
The dogs graduate from the program, and their trainers meet the recipients who were given the prior year's puppies.
After Wendel graduated from the prison program, and received six months more of professional training, he was given to Robert Quigley, who was in tears while watching Wendel, bark and get excited when he saw Chase, his old trainer.
"He's with me 24/7. He's very gentle and good with people," said Robert. Wendel is his constant companion.
One of the biggest supporters of this service dog program is Marv Tuttle, a Vietnam veteran, and Chase's grandfather, who from his wheelchair relies on his service dog.
"It definitely has made a big difference for [Chase]," said Marv, enthusiastically. "He sees what he is capable of doing."
Chase sees that too, determined to make a new life when he leaves prison. For now, he is joyfully training Margaret, his latest puppy.
|
