Proud Hank n Buddy of Our Folks

In the last year Our Folks "Mary & Doc" have been Fostering for Canines With A Cause (CWAC) and we Boiz have been helping by Welcoming all Foster's as Heidi, Honor, Odie, Chico, Heath and our most recent TY.

TY leaves our home today for the "Timpanogos Women's Correctional Facility" to receive Training in his Journey to becoming placed with a US Veteran or a home having a Special Need.  

TY, a Red Heeler lower right

We are sharing the following announcement by Utah Dept. of Corrections on their Facebook page  "reprinted with permission" regarding a Recent Graduation of 2 CWAC Canines in Training Captain & Glory and two Inmate Trainers of these CWAC Canines

After more than 10 months of hard work, it was graduation day for two dogs and their inmate trainers at the Timpanogos Women’s Correctional Facility.

Dr. Lynne Gilbert-Norton, Shaun Woodard, Haylee Cheek and Captain (CWAC)

Sawsan Whitelaw and Haylee Cheek received certificates Wednesday as trainers in Canine Life and Social Skills (CLASS) for their work with the Canines With A Cause program at the prison.

< Dr. Lynne Gilbert-Norton, BSc in psychology, an MSc in animal behavior, and a PhD in wildlife biology.  Currently provides training and shelter dog evaluations for Canines with a Cause, a non-profit organization in Salt Lake City with a mission to help shelter dogs find homes by training them to work as companion, therapy and service dogs for veterans in need.

< Shaun Woodard, CPDT-KA is a nationally certified professional dog trainer who believes that the key to successful relationships with our dogs lies in clear, effective and positive communication.

Dr. Lynne Gilbert-Norton, Shaun Woodard, Sawsan Whitelaw and
Glory (CWAC)

It was a bittersweet moment, though, as the women had to say goodbye to the two dogs they and other inmates trained: Glory and Captain left for “finishing school” at a residential substance abuse treatment center.  After four to six weeks there, they’ll likely be placed with veterans who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder — the ultimate goal of Canines With A Cause.

The nonprofit launched its rigorous training program at the prison last April.

Glory and Captain both achieved “bachelor degrees” in behavior during their time at Timp, learning things all the best companion dogs know.

But they weren’t the only ones transformed during the process, said Capt. Maryann Reding.

Whitelaw had never had a pet and was apprehensive during her first meeting with Glory last spring. She didn’t touch the dog even when Glory sat right in front of her, Reding said.

“It’s changed her tremendously,” Reding said. “She’s done an awesome job.”

Another dog who graduated from the program — Liberty — went home with veteran Caleb Dunham last Thanksgiving. Four other dogs in the prison’s first class— Valor, Jet, Sierra and Sergeant — did not graduate but received good training and were placed for adoption.

There are just two dogs at the facility currently, but others will arrive this spring. Some will stay for a 12-week basic training program, while the best of the bunch will continue in the veterans program.

"reprinted with permission"

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