CHAMP Assistance Dogs Prison Program

CHAMP Assistance Dogs Prison Program is an organization based out of St. Louis that serves federally incarcerated women in Greenville, Illinois. Each week, volunteer dog trainers visit the Greenville Camp and work with women on the basics of caring for dogs. Through the program, women learn essential skills like what it means to be responsible for others, learn how to interact with others in various situations, and gain confidence in their abilities. Assigned dog trainers within the facility are permitted to live in a special wing of the correctional facility with their dogs. Within this wing, trainers focus on how to care for their dog on the daily level, tending to its needs and developing a disciplined routine. This practice helps put women on the path toward rehabilitation and encourages them to maintain a clean record within the facility. For more information about the program, individuals should contact the organization directly.