JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, in partnership with Carolina Canines for Service, placed another prisoner-trained service dog with a wounded service member August 4, 2011.
Marine Sgt. Darrell Jones was the fifth member of the Wounded Warrior Battalion East to receive a service dog trained at NAVCONBRIG Charleston. Jones made two combat deployments to Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005. He was later deployed to Iraq in 2006, where he sustained injuries during combat operations.
Jones, originally from Pineview, Ky., has served in the Marine Corps for 13 years and is currently stationed in Jacksonville, N.C., where he lives with his wife and daughters. Jones received Elder, a four year-old Labradoodle, in hopes that this prisoner-trained service dog will help him return to the lifestyle he wants to lead.
Carolina Canines for Service is a nonprofit health and human services organization that trains service dogs for people with disabilities. In 2008, CCFS launched a national program, Carolina Canines for Veterans, to train rescue dogs from local shelters to assist wounded veterans. Operating entirely on private donations, CCFS instructs prisoners to raise and train each service dog.
A Carolina Canines service dog is a constant companion that can perform more than 70 tasks for the wounded veteran, including retrieving and carrying objects, opening doors, helping with stress and balance difficulties as well as providing a bridge back to society.
NAVCONBRIG Charleston houses prisoners from all branches of the military sentenced up to five years; longer sentences on a case-by-case basis. The brig provides extensive prisoner programs, including rehabilitative and substance abuse treatment, counseling, education, and academic, vocational, military and physical training.
NAVCONBRIG Charleston work programs support military and federal agencies by providing productive, cost-effective work which also is used as a skill-training process. Work programs include carpentry, furniture making and repair, auto maintenance and repair, metal works and welding, sign making, upholstery, service dog canine training and culinary arts.