Monty's Home

If you ever wondered how we could make better use of correctional facility inmates’ time, look no further. Not only is there a program that benefits inmates, it is helping to save the lives of a large number of otherwise hopeless dogs that had no chance of a future without it. In May 2008, Monty's Home received state approval to start its Pawsitive Partners Prison Program (PPPP) the first companion dog prison training program in Southeastern North Carolina, the largest in the state. Working in conjunction with a local correctional facility, Monty’s Home is staffed with volunteer trainers who select five dogs from a local shelter every nine weeks. After temperament evaluation, heartworm testing, spaying/neutering and vaccinations, the dogs enter the PPPP. Living at the facility (sleeping in special doggie dorms at night) with their inmate-trainers, the dogs go through a nine-week training course using positive-reinforcement training methods. The inmate-trainers go through an extensive application process of their own before being approved into the program. Inmate-trainers, under the guidance of Monty’s Home volunteer trainers, train the dogs in socialization, crate-training, basic obedience, rally and household manners. After graduation, the dogs are ready to become the newest member of an adoptive family as family pets and the wonderfulness starts again for five more dogs getting teamed with the inmate-trainers. There are currently seven inmates and five dogs in each session.