Karma Dog Training is working in partnership with Los Angeles County Jail Facilities to match inmates with homeless, sheltered, and abandoned puppies across California with the goal of providing inmates with companionship and purpose and puppies with a new chance at life.

Puppies are assigned to a primary inmate handler who is visited daily for Basic Obedience training. Once graduated, puppies in the program are available for adoption to the general public.

Often, the systemically impacted individual and the abused and/or neglected puppy share a yearning for heartfelt connection. This therapeutic program can benefit all involved by giving both parties the second chance they may have never received.

Both parties often feel like society has “given up” on them. We hope to facilitate the “reprogramming” of those who feel abandoned or “left behind”. We aim to reestablish the natural, instinctual unconditionally loving relationship between man and dog. This program truly enriches the lives of both the dogs and handlers by reinstalling love, patience and trust.

By creating and nurturing the growth and development of a puppy these system impacted individuals are able to care for another being. Learning to work through emotions of respect, compassion and understanding they can form unbreakable bonds of friendship.

Through the “Convict to Companion” program, inmates are able to acquire the vocational skills needed to find gainful employment upon release. Many puppy graduates go on to become therapy dogs and lead lives of service by helping disabled individuals.

As dog owners and trainers, we often find ourselves asking “Who rescued who?”.

• “Examining Dog-Training Programs in Prison: Success Found Among Confounding Factors”
• “Prison Pups: Assessing the Effects of Dog Training Programs In Correctional Facilities”
• “Puppies Go to Prison to Become Dogs That Save Lives”
• “Cardiovascular effects of human-pet dog interactions”
• “The value of pets for human health”