ONLY, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) – On Friday, November 2, nine service dogs graduated from the Retrieving Independence Program at the Turney Center Industrial Complex. This is a program in which specially screened offenders train puppies to be service animals.
Photos: TDOC
The graduation marks the end of a nearly 18-month program where the dogs underwent an intensive training process. They were taught everything from seizure detection and wheelchair assistance, to opening and closing doors and loading laundry. A recipient for each dog is matched early on and the training program is tailored to meet that person’s specific needs.
Families receiving the dogs, offenders, and representatives from the Turney Center Industrial Complex and Retrieving Independence attended today’s event. During the program these special dogs also demonstrated their newly acquired skills.