Inmates at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Perryville are engaging in an initiative that might seem small but holds large implications for healing: they are training service dogs for veterans, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. Reagan Starkley, an inmate participating in the program, highlighted the rewarding nature of their work: “We’re not only learning how to train dogs, but it’s like you learn a bunch of personal qualities like patience and how to deal with different situations better,” Starkley told FOX 10 Phoenix.
As these Perryville prisoners tend to dogs, another group within the same complex faced a different struggle; four women experienced “seizure-like” symptoms due to illicit drug use, with one additional inmate testing positive for these substances, according to a report by 12News. The incident has prompted an operational curtailment of the San Carlos Unit while authorities investigate the situation, but this reflects a broader issue in American prisons, ADCRR remarked in their statement, advising on ongoing strategies to thwart illegal drug introductions into the facilities.
The service dog program, launched in 2024, pairs canines from shelters with veterans dealing with traumatic brain injuries through Soldiers Best Friend. Ed Runge, a veteran who suffered a traumatic brain injury, shared the profound moment he met his service dog, “When I met her, I felt the immediate connection… really emotional,” Runge recounts in the interview with FOX 10 Phoenix. Besides providing essential companionship and support for veterans, the program also imbues the inmates with a sense of purpose and personal growth; they undergo a comprehensive selection process, a six-week basic handler course, followed by ongoing work with a trainer and the dogs…