thedrifter
10-17-08, 03:54 AM
First Wounded Warrior to receive service dog trained by fellow Marines
News Release
Published: October 16, 2008
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Carolina Canines in coordination with Camp Lejeune Brig personnel is pleased to present the very first military prison trained service dog specifically trained for a wounded veteran Friday at the Camp Lejeune Brig at 10:30 a.m.
Wounded Warrior Cpl. Chris Gray is scheduled to take full custody of Rocio (pronounced Roxie), an 18-month-old lab mix. Through multiple weekly lessons from the Carolina Canines instructors, Rocio was trained by inmates who were able to spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week, training her with the necessary skills to assist the wounded warrior.
The Brig took delivery of the first dogs Jan. 16 and has used inmates to train the canines to be working dogs for injured service members returning from combat. The Carolina Canines Military Prison Dog Training program was created by Carolina Canines for Services Inc. to not only promote the well-being of the prisoners but give them a chance to give back to the Marine Corps community. Fully training a service dog takes large amounts of time and commitment, but the result is a dog capable of performing approximately 70 tasks used to assist a person with a disability. The dogs are often taken from a shelter and trained to do ordinary tasks for the recovering person, such as:
* retrieving dropped/distant objects
* pulling wheelchairs
* opening doors
* carrying items
* physical support for mobility and transfers to/from wheelchairs
* physical assistance to recover from a fall
* dressing and undressing
* assisting with household tasks such as bed making and laundry
This particular program is unique because the dogs are being trained by inmates who are Marines for their fellow Marines. The Brig staff is hoping the dogs, who are completely cared for by the inmates, will not only help in the reformation of the prisoners but also aid in the recovery process for the injured Marine.
Ellie
News Release
Published: October 16, 2008
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Carolina Canines in coordination with Camp Lejeune Brig personnel is pleased to present the very first military prison trained service dog specifically trained for a wounded veteran Friday at the Camp Lejeune Brig at 10:30 a.m.
Wounded Warrior Cpl. Chris Gray is scheduled to take full custody of Rocio (pronounced Roxie), an 18-month-old lab mix. Through multiple weekly lessons from the Carolina Canines instructors, Rocio was trained by inmates who were able to spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week, training her with the necessary skills to assist the wounded warrior.
The Brig took delivery of the first dogs Jan. 16 and has used inmates to train the canines to be working dogs for injured service members returning from combat. The Carolina Canines Military Prison Dog Training program was created by Carolina Canines for Services Inc. to not only promote the well-being of the prisoners but give them a chance to give back to the Marine Corps community. Fully training a service dog takes large amounts of time and commitment, but the result is a dog capable of performing approximately 70 tasks used to assist a person with a disability. The dogs are often taken from a shelter and trained to do ordinary tasks for the recovering person, such as:
* retrieving dropped/distant objects
* pulling wheelchairs
* opening doors
* carrying items
* physical support for mobility and transfers to/from wheelchairs
* physical assistance to recover from a fall
* dressing and undressing
* assisting with household tasks such as bed making and laundry
This particular program is unique because the dogs are being trained by inmates who are Marines for their fellow Marines. The Brig staff is hoping the dogs, who are completely cared for by the inmates, will not only help in the reformation of the prisoners but also aid in the recovery process for the injured Marine.
Ellie