Pennsylvania Department of Corrections

Puppy Programs

Training service dogs to assist people and rescue dogs for adoption.

A golden retriever service dog sits on a leash next to his owner.

Read the latest edition of All Paws on Deck, the official newsletter of the DOC's puppy programs

Dog training programs began in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in 2001 when Canine Partners for Life partnered with SCI Cambridge Springs. Since then they have expanded to nearly each state prison in Pennsylvania.

There are two main types of canine programs in PA: service dog training and adoption training. For service dog training, incarcerated handlers work with partner programs to raise puppies to become service dogs for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities. For adoption training, handlers work with puppies and dogs from local rescues and train them in socialization and obedience to make them more adoptable.

Whatever puppy program you encounter, you will be able to witness the benefits to the staff, inmates and the community alike!

State Program List

Canine Partners for Life (CPL)

​SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
​Benner Township
​2022
​Service Dogs
​Greene
​2014
Service Dogs​
​Laurel Highlands
​2015
​Service Dogs
​Muncy
​2003
​Service Dogs
​Somerset
​2015
Service Dogs​

Animal Friends

​SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
​Fayette
​2017
​Adoption

United Disabilities Services (UDS)

​SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
​Houtzdale
​2015
​Service Dogs

New Hope Assistance Dogs

SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
​Pine Grove
​2018
Service Dogs​
​Mercer
​2023
​Service Dogs
​Waymart
​2018
Service Dogs​

DAWGS Prison Program

​SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
​Frackville
​2016
​Adoption
​Mahanoy
​2016
​Adoption

HOPE - Hounds of Prison Education

​SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
​Camp Hill
​2005
​Adoption

Michael's Mission/Anthony's Balanced Canine Training Center

SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
Forest
​2016
​Adoption

America's VetDogs

SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
Dallas
2016
​Service Dogs

Mommy & Me Rescue

SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
Coal Township
2014
​Adoption

Villalobos Rescue Center

​SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
​Rockview
​2022
​Adoption

Canine Partners Program Inc.

SCI
​Year Started
​Program Purpose
​Cambridge Springs
​2019
​Adoption