Mercer Begins New Dog Training Program
February 03, 2023 12:00 AM
SCI Mercer began a new dog training program in partnership with New Hope Assistance Dogs, Inc., in which pups will be trained by incarcerated handlers to become service dogs.
The first pair of dogs arrived on Jan. 17 and have begun training in the Veterans Service Unit: Gracie (above), an 8-month-old Australian Shepherd/Gold Retriever mix, and Bolt (below), a 1-year-old Golden Retriever. While dogs at Mercer will train to serve an individual with disabilities, Gracie and Bolt will specifically be trained by incarcerated veterans to serve veterans with disabilities.
