spoken on the phone and done livestream interviews. Dee is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, founder of Magic City K9, and a friend; yet we have never met in person. That was about to change. Everyone deserves a second
Leo manages service-dog-in training Mischa, a Golden Doodle (above), and Lava, a sweet PB mix (below and right). This is the dorm where they reside.
chance, including inmates selected for the program, and the dogs from MDAS. “FDC is proud to partner with organizations such as Magic City K9. They recognize and assist in our rehabilitative and restoration efforts,’’ stated Patrick Mahoney, Director of Programs and Re-Entry for the Florida Department of Corrections. “While the dogs are given a second chance for a better quality of life following rehabilita- tion, training and support, these pro- grams also bring a sense of pride and community that encourage positive changes in incarcerated individuals. It’s a win-win program.” Twelve dogs reside in the open
dorm and five dogs are in the cell area. There were two new arrivals the
Despite the valiant efforts of MCABSL
(Below) Francis is Rocco’s trainer, and is a well-known, respected trainer having stayed in the dog program through several facilities. He serves as the lead instructor for MCK9.
(Miami Coalition Against Breed Specific Legislation), pit bulls and breeds conforming to those characteristics are illegal in Miami- Dade county. You may not own/keep an American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dog that resembles one. It has been illegal to acquire a new pit bull since January 1, 1990. Even though there is a $500 fine for having a pit bull, it’s the breed most often seen in the south. If one is picked up or sur- rendered, it is almost always a certain date with death. For a lucky few bully-looking dogs, Magic City K9, offers an option: a golden ticket off MDAS’ death row, with a chance at a happy and fulfilled life, perhaps even a meaningful job as a service dog. Now, that’s doggone lucky. Dee Hoult is the founder and lead
trainer of Applause Your Paws in Miami, Florida. Over the years, we have emailed,
www.TheNewBarker.com
day I visited. Each dog is paired up with an inmate-trainer, and supervised by Dee Hoult. Dee has been involved with prison dog pro- grams for ten of her sixteen years training dogs.
Two of the seventeen Magic City K9
(MCK9) dogs are doodles. They could have easily been sold by their breeders for thou- sands of dollars. Instead, they were donated to MCK9 and are being trained by inmates as service dogs for individuals with specific needs. Dogs in the MCK9 program do time at Everglades Correctional Institute for a minimum of four months. Along with impulse control, leash and basic manners (sit, stay, come, wait), they work with their desig- nated trainer and handlers to learn even more. Some of the inmates in the program have taught rewind, play dead, crawl, roll over, and an array of other behaviors includ- ing advanced service dog task work.
Continued on the following pageg THE NEW BARKER 41
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