to enrich the lives of incarcerated individuals,
animals, and the community through the human-animal bond.
Our mission is not just words on a page. It is not just a description of what we aim to do. Our mission lives in the soul of everyone at Prison Pet Partnership (PPP)—because every day, we got up and envisioned a world of opportunity. Every day, we got up and experienced the potential of humanity. After being closed for over a year due to COVID, we will again get up and recommit ourselves to the work of re-entry programming.
Often overlooked in the experiences of incarcerated women is a lived history of trauma, gender-based violence victimization, adverse mental health conditions, and systemic oppression – worsened while incarcerated – contributing to barriers to secure employment post-release
Approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanised every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes
1 in 4 American adults have a disability that impacts their daily living
Since 1981, PPP has worked to advance employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals housed at Washington Corrections Center for Women by utilizing the positive mental health impacts of the human-animal bond. The vocational education program provides in-class and hands-on learning in PPP’s boarding facility and grooming salon for program participants to earn certification as Pet Care Technicians, Groomers, and Dog Trainers. Upon release, Veterinary Assistant certification is also available. Dogs are rescued from shelters and placed as Service Dogs – trained by program participants to assist persons with disabilities, including veterans. Some are placed as Therapy Dogs – trained to support children in a hospital setting, senior citizens in retirement homes, as well as domestic violence survivors during court. Both dogs and cats identified as Paroled Pets are provided basic training and handling – ultimately adopted out to loving families.
Our program participants – both human and animal – are owed respect, opportunity, and healing. Here, a woman is empowered to learn a trade that will prepare her for employment post-release. Here, a homeless dog is saved from euthanasia. Here, we bear witness to an incarcerated individual’s dignity, and celebrate their victories. Here, a disabled veteran accesses independence through the assistance of a service dog. Here, lives are forever changed for everyone involved.
But we don’t do it alone. Our passion comes from the incarcerated individuals, animals, and clients we serve, and it comes from our bold, dedicated donors and supporters who are equally committed to our work in re-entry programming. Those released from incarceration are moving into our neighborhoods. They can either move in having suffered the effects from being warehoused for years, or they can move in equipped for life, primed for success.
Each donation makes a difference. With your support, we will get up and do this work to ensure opportunity is available for everyone to succeed – human and animal.
Sincerely,
Meg Quinlivan
Executive Director
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