Our dogs are selected with care from breeders, shelters, and individual homes. Each dog is placed in the environment that enables it to reach its fullest potential. Some dogs are placed with a carefully chosen “Puppy Raiser” family; others are placed with inmates at the Bland Correctional Center as part of our Prison Pup Program.

The Prison Pup Program was started by Saint Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation at the Bland Correctional Center in 2002.

Inmates who have earned the privilege serve as puppy raisers for a year, all attending weekly classes with their pups.
In addition to learning their indoor manners, the puppies receive basic training to ready them for entry into the service dog program.

An obvious Win-Win situation, the Prison Pup Partnership gives meaning and purpose to the lives of participating inmates.

Whatever their environment, our Puppy Raisers are most generous people who foster and love our pups, for a year or so, until transferring their care to Saint Francis trainers.