Crime

Performers Compete for New Leash on Life

The New Leash on Life program teaches inmates how to train dogs, and both human and canine benefit. Constellation Artworks; Jacqueline Gardiner-Veal

A volunteer program pairing dogs with inmates is resulting in benefits for both.

The Forsyth Humane Society has partnered with the North Carolina Department of Corrections and the Winston-Salem Dog Training Club to teach minimum security inmates how to train the dogs over ten weeks.  Candide Jones , who serves on the Forsyth Humane Society Board, says the dogs selected for the ‘New Leash on Life' program all have some sort of behavioral problem. "They might be rambunctious, they  might just need some manners – not aggressive or dangerous dogs, but dogs that need to learn a few things,” she says.
 

The inmates are also carefully selected because of the time invested in training them how to train the dogs.  And Jones says the results are impressive.  "Statistics don't lie," she says. "The recidivism rate in the U.S. is between 60 and 65 percent. That is a terrible rate of inmates going back into prison within 3 years. In NC, the recidivism rate is in the low 40's. In this and similar programs, it's under 5%.”

 

On Saturday, the Forsyth Humane Society will host a special fundraiser for the New Leash on Life program called ‘Best in Show.' It's modeled on the TV show America's Got Talent. Ten acts will compete for the title Best in Show, including two dance troupes, two bands, several singers and the international whistling champion. People can vote for their favorite performer, visit a doggie kissing booth, and see a preview of an upcoming documentary about the New Leash on Life program. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Arts Council Theatre on Coliseum Drive in Winston-Salem.  

 

Visit

fhsbestinshow.com for more information.

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