The program started in 2002 when the warden at the Hutchison Correctional Facility approached Friends of Animals in Need, Inc. to start a dog training program with the inmates. Three very big-hearted women took on this challenge. The warden wanted to start the program with 8 to 10 dogs but because of expenses Ruth Spitzer and Vicky Hollowell, volunteers at the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, decided to start with just one. The dog that they started with had no vaccinations. Ruth and Vicky also found out they needed a foster license before they could bring the dog into the prison. Future dogs were spayed/neutered, given medication, and had a complete checkup with vaccinations. Certain veterinarians in the area contributed with one free spay/neuter a month, discount on medications, and a couple others gave 20% off on checkups/vaccinations.
A greyhound program has already been started in the prison, however they were considered livestock. Little dogs could not be put into the program because the greyhounds would attack them. Hunting dogs were also another kind of dog that did not do well in the program. All of the dogs that are put into the program are picked by Ruth and Vicky. The criteria for being a Lucky Dog is they cannot have adoption papers and have no chance of being put into a rescue program. Lucky dogs are 100% easily euthanized. Before the dogs leave the shelter they go through temperament training. A leash, collar, food, and crate are taken with the dogs to the prison.
The inmates at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility have criteria as well before they are allowed into the program; they must have no infractions and have been on their best behavior. The warden chooses who gets into the program. The ladies have nothing to do with whatever goes on inside the prison except for where the dogs are concerned. Connie Albright, the lead trainer, teaches the inmates how to teach the dogs to come, sit, stay, lay down, etc and also how to care for the dogs properly. There are three inmates to each dog, one handler and two trainers. The inmates take turns on staying with the dog and are with them twenty-four hours a day.
After the dogs are adopted Ruth, Vicky, and Connie check up on the dogs. They checkup three days, three weeks, and three months on the dogs after the adoption. Also there are triple sets of records of where the dogs are. About 5% of dogs are returned back to the program, this is usually due to an elderly couple/person who cannot physically care for the dog anymore. The dogs that are returned go right back to the prison, they are never taken back to the shelter, and stay in the program until they are adopted
The Lucky Dog Program is also in need of any donations of:
New or Used Dog Collars/Leashes
Indestructible Toys
Rawhides