Dogs of the MDOC

Since 2009, the Department has partnered with Paws with a Cause, Leader Dogs for the Blind, various ability centers, and dozens of local animal shelters providing basic obedience training for nearly 3,000 canines.

Each handler is chosen based on misconduct history and staff recommendation. Individuals interested in a dog program must apply and participate in an interview process before being selected. Once selected, participants are trained in providing basic obedience training, command training, pre-task training, and much more to the dog they are paired with.

The MDOC's dog programs benefit the trainers, the facility staff, the communities, and the dogs.

During training, if the dogs prove to be better skilled for a different type of service, they experience a career change. Canines trained in MDOC facilities have been placed with U.S Customs and Border Protection, Police Departments, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Crisis Response Dogs, and schools and hospitals for support dogs.

Currently, 25 active dog training programs are taking place in 20 MDOC facilities.

Image of a 7-week old black lab wearing a bandana that says: Future Leader Dog

Leader Dogs for the Blind

Future Leader Dogs for the Blind are brought to prison when they are seven weeks old. The dogs remain at the facility for 12 to 15 months and are taught a solid foundation of skills, including basic obedience, teaching the puppies how to eliminate outside on cue, calm and controlled greetings, and settling quietly in the midst of distractions.

Leader Dogs for the Blind prison puppies are trained at the following facilities:

Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility (IBC)
Chippewa Correctional Facility (URF)
G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility (JCF)
Ionia Correctional Facility (ICF)
Macomb Correctional Facility (MRF)
Marquette Branch Prison (MBP)
Oaks Correctional Facility (ECF)
Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility (MTU)

Prison Puppies - Leader Dogs for the Blind

Paws With a Cause

After spending one year with volunteer Foster Puppy Raisers, Paws with a Cause (PAWS) sends its puppies to MDOC facilities, where they are specially trained for people with physical or mental disabilities and children with Autism. The dogs learn basic socialization, obedience, and on-leash training before returning to PAWS, where they are educated on a specific service they were selected for.

Paws With a Cause Dogs are trained at the following facilities:

Carson City Correctional Facility (DRF)
Central Michigan Correctional Facility (STF)
Earnest C. Brooks Correctional Facility (LRF)
Lakeland Correctional Facility (LCF)
Muskegon Correctional Facility (MCF)
Saginaw Correctional Facility (SRF)
Thumb Correctional Facility (TCF)

PAWS Prison Partners

Assistance Dogs

Blue Star Service Dogs

Selected from shelters and rescues, Blue Star Service Dogs arrive at MDOC facilities and begin training to be service dogs for military veterans. Because veterans have unique qualities and needs, the dogs are individually trained to meet the needs of their veterans.

Blue Star Service Dogs are trained at the following facilities:

Thumb Correctional Facility (TCF)

Woodland Center Correctional Facility (WCC)

Saginaw Correctional Facility (SRF)
The Ability Center

The Ability Center Assistance Dogs (ACAD) program trains dogs to become service dogs, personal therapy dogs, or comfort dogs in schools.

Ability Center Assistance Dogs are trained at the following facilities:

Cooper Street Correctional Facility (JCS)

Gus Harrison Correctional Facility (ARF)

Shelter Dogs

Nearly 1,500 dogs who were once considered less adoptable, had behavioral challenges, or a higher risk of returning to the shelter found their fur-ever home after basic obedience and socialization training at an MDOC facility.

Alger Correctional Facility (LMF) partners with Delta Animal Shelter through the Dawgz Adapt program.

Central Michigan Correctional Facility (STF) partners with Montcalm County Animal Control through the Pawsitive Connections program.

Kinross Correctional Facility (KCF) partners with Chippewa County Animal Shelter

Lakeland Correctional Facility (LCF) partners with Refurbished Pets of Southern Michigan.

Newberry Correctional Facility (NCF) partners with Luce County Animal Shelter through the NCF Paws for Adoption program.

Saginaw Correctional Facility (SRF) partners with Bay County Animal Care Center and Saginaw County Animal Care & Control through the Iron Paws program.

What are the Dogs of the MDOC taught?

A golden retriever laying down next to a labradoodle.

MDOC Wellness Response Dogs

Handel and Franklin, who offer value by effecting a sense of calm and change, by naturally connecting with employees, and by providing effective crisis response.

Meet our MDOC Response Dogs