Endless Possibilities
TRENDS
In our October 2014 issue, Gail Radtke gave a compelling account of how her rescue dog, Lanie, inspired her to become involved in developing a K9 program at a women’s
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correctional center. Here, she reviews progress made and details her plans for expansion
onversations turn into ideas and ideas turn into possibilities. During a meeting with Ann Barley, assistant deputy warden of programs at Alouette Correctional Centre for Women (ACCW) in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, to discuss our current K9 programming at the center, Barley told me she wanted to devise a meaningful program for the maximum security area that involved dogs. Due to the strict supervision environment of maximum security, programming options can be limited and, because of this, dogs had not previously been permitted in the area. That, however, is exactly where the possibilities began. I thought of a friend of mine who wanted to volunteer with me at ACCW and asked her if she would be interested in bringing in her service dog, Gilmore, for an informal visit. This way, the women offenders could interact and spend time with Gilmore in the areas where dogs would not usually have access. Gilmore is a two-year-old Labrador who was trained by the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides as an autism service dog. He lives with Nicola Mitchell and her family in Maple Ridge. He was also the first dog we brought into the maximum security area at ACCW and Mitchell shared her story of what an incredible difference he has made in the life of her son, Caleb, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Lions Foundation of Canada's mission is to assist Gail Radtke Canadians who have a with her St. John mental, developmental Ambulance or physical disability by therapy dog and co-pilot providing them with for the canine dog guides at no cost. prison As part of the Lions program, Tawny Foundation, Autism Assistance Dog Guides specifically helps children aged three to 18 years old who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, as well as their families. An autism assistance dog guide provides safety, companionship and unconditional love. He is also a source of calm and relief for children in high anxiety situations, helping to
Nicola Mitchell and autism service dog, Gilmore, were the first dog-handler pair to visit the prison’s maximum security area
reduce the stress levels commonly experienced in public places. From our very first visit at the centre with Gilmore and Mitchell, I knew we were onto something very special. We started by bringing Gilmore into the area where the offenders are housed. This is known as a living unit and typically houses 40 offenders. The living units are secure areas with private rooms where the offenders sleep, with a common, open area for socializing. From the moment we walked in, it felt like the energy in the area changed. Many of the women stopped what they were doing and headed straight over to meet Gilmore. They were able to touch and pet the dog, ask questions about him and interact with him the entire time we were there. Mitchell told them about how he had come into her family and where he had come from. Many of the women spoke of their own dogs and how they missed them, and said how wonderful it was to be able to spend time with Gilmore. As a former correctional officer of 18 years, I could see the pure joy this dog brought to these women who live in an environment that can be challenging at the very least. I started to formulate an idea and to wonder exactly how I could convince everyone else. At the time, I was already part of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program in Maple Ridge as a certified therapy dog handler with my dog, Lanie, (see The Miracle Mutt, BARKS from the Guild, October 2014, pp. 36-39). This is a Canada-wide proBARKS from the Guild/May 2015
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