ICAN Provides Service Dogs Trained by Prisoners

Dogs

This Indiana organization provides service dogs to people with disabilities.  What makes it unique from other service animal programs is the fact that these dogs are trained by people in correctional facilities.

ICAN, which stands for Indiana Canine Assistant Network, was formed in 2001 by Sally Irvin, Ph.D.  Each dog undergoes a two year training process before they are placed with an individual.  The program is aimed at assisting individuals with physical and developmental disabilities in becoming more independent in their dally lives as well as build skills for job and life management.  So far the program has paired up 59 people with service dogs.

To apply for the program, individuals must provide information about themselves and pay a one time application fee.  Once the information is reviewed, members from ICAN will conduct an interview and possibly and in-home evaluation.  Every step of the application process is important in ensuring that a service dog would be a good fit for the individual; it is a big decision, after all!

Towards the end of the two year training process, clients with disabilities will frequently visit the offender training their dog at the correctional facility to learn how to work with their new dog via Team Training.  At the end of the Team Training, clients take their service dogs home, but are encouraged to keep in touch with their handlers.

If you’re interested in applying for the program, volunteering, or sponsoring a dog, learn more at the ICAN website or visit their Facebook page (and check out all of the cute puppy pictures while you’re at it).

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One comment:

  1. im a disabled badley needed of a trained dog for service im 100% threw the va i have been looking for a long time , can theses gentlemen help with a fine train dog have so i can take this animal any where i go

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