Inmates at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe are helping lift the burden on Riverside County’s packed animal shelters by fostering impounded canines, training them in basic obedience and preparing them, ideally, for permanent placement with adopters, officials said Thursday.
“This program helps the inmates tremendously because they’re able to focus their energy, attention and time into helping dogs who might need extra support, or just need help coming out of their shells,” California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation Officer Randy Gregory said.
“I know firsthand the kind of transformations that can happen when we invest in emotional healing, and if the dogs can help the inmates and vice versa, then it’s a win all around. We’re excited to work together to get some dogs adopted and change the perception that people have toward shelter dogs.”…