JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Prisoners at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston will soon be part of a new program, training rescued dogs to aid disabled veterans as part of the Carolina Canines for Veterans Program, base officials announced Aug. 11.
"This program will be a triple win for all involved," said NAVCONBRIG Charleston Commanding Officer Navy Cmdr. Ray Drake. "The wounded warrior gets a highly trained companion to greatly improve their quality of life. The Navy facilitates a useful program employing prisoners productively while helping them develop marketable skills they can use after release and the dogs are rescued from local shelters instead of being euthanized."
NAVCONBRIG Charleston can expect to begin the program Aug. 31 with seven dogs. The animals will learn to fetch items like a coin on the floor, a brief case or a dropped cell phone; place clothes in a washing machine; place dishes in a sink; open a refrigerator to retrieve an item; retrieve prosthetic limbs; and even open different types of doors.
The program also teaches to help a service member with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The canine is taught to enter a room and break up a crowded area or open a path for the owner to walk, since most PTSD patients often have difficulty in crowded situations.
"Our service members deserve the best and that is what we are dedicated to giving them," said Carolina Canines for Service President and CEO Rick Hairston. "[They] were just doing what we asked them to do and were injured while serving their country ... now, it's up to us to take care of them."
Dogs selected for the program go through an extensive screening process to ensure the future training is invested in dogs capable of meeting the rigors of the job. Some of the standards for acceptance are based on physical capabilities and temperament. The animals must also be within the age of 10 to 15 months.
Once admitted, the rescued dogs are placed with their respective trainers - prisoners who display exceptional behavior and qualities that will enable them to train the dog - who will then care for and successfully train the dog. The training regimen can last from 1,800 to 2,000 hours, and after core training and the prospective wounded warrior is identified, training can be adjusted to accommodate any special needs the wounded warrior may have.
When the dogs are fully trained, wounded warriors will be flown to Charleston to retrieve them at no cost. During the stay, new dog owners will have five to seven days to train and learn the dog's special abilities, after which they are returned home.
The first placement of the CCV Program at a military base started at Marine Corps Base Brig at Camp Lejeune in January 2008. The program was eventually shut down due to impending base closure under the base realignment and closure act. During its time there, 10 dogs were placed with wounded warriors.
"We have been very happy with the support of the Marine Corps and the success of the Carolina Canines for Veterans program at Camp Lejeune," said Mr. Hairston. "The move to Charleston will enable us to grow the program and serve more of our deserving veterans."