Thank you for providing a home for the dogs being raised in Prison Programs. Here is some basic information on the Prison Puppy Program and the role you would play in training these amazing dogs. As important as it is for the inmates to train the puppies, it is also crucial that the puppies at a young age learn good house manners and get exposed to environments outside the prisons.
Host request emails are sent by a Can Do Canines staff member. When you receive the email, please respond with the dates you wish to host and when you can pick up and drop off the dog. Pick-ups and drop-offs are on Fridays and Mondays and must be between the hours of 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Hosts are provided with food and basic information about the pup they are hosting. When you’re done hosting a dog, we ask that you submit the Volunteer Feedback Form, which can be found on the Puppy Program Portal. We kindly ask you to complete this each time you foster.
The prison staff will send out a bag with the dog you are hosting. The bag will include a basic care sheet, feeding information, dog food, and a head halter. For people taking the dog for 2-weeks as a Home Stay Host, a cape will also be included for outings. When returning the bag, do not send anything extra back to the prison, but please be sure all supplies received are returned so they have them available for the next host. Do not keep the cape at home as it belongs to the dog-in-training; they need it for daily use in their training. If you need a kennel when you host, let the prison know.
If you choose to volunteer as a Two-Week Home Stay Host, please click here to complete the form to sign up for Public Access Training (cape rights) before you take a dog out in public. There is an online component to training and an in-person component. The in-person component will take about an hour, and we will meet at a store. You can still host a dog before doing the Public Access Training, but you will be limited to hanging out around the home.
Due to the operational needs of Jackson Correctional Institution, they only allow pick-ups and drop-offs on Fridays and Mondays between 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Pick up and drop off is handled on prison grounds, but there is no contact with inmates. Each prison determines which dog is assigned to go to volunteer, as they use a rotation. Unfortunately, you cannot request a specific dog. You may park just outside the first building in the main parking lot. You will enter the main Lobby and you just need to tell them you are there to pick up a dog for Can Do Canines.
Prison is a very controlled environment. If you must make changes to your established pickup or drop-off time, or if you will be late, please call the prison’s main number at (715)-284-4550 to let them know at least 30 minutes ahead of time. Staff will be waiting for you at your designated time, and they must get back to their jobs as quickly as possible.
The prison has count times each day. The count is critical for each prison as it checks offender status. Nothing else happens during the count. If you are asked to come earlier or later than your suggested time due to count or another reason, please understand. There is also the rare occasion that your meeting could be delayed due to an event at the prison, such as a conflict, count issue, lockdown, etc. If this happens, please be patient.
N6500 Haipek Road, Black River Falls, WI 54615, Phone: 715-284-4550
Kathy Peterson [email protected] 715-284-4550 ex. 7037
Melinda Derus [email protected] 715-284-4550 ex. 7230
The prison does not help with behavior, training, or medical questions. Instead, contact Can Do Canines Program Instructor Mona Elder with questions about these things.