Prison Pet Partnership

Join us in our mission 
to enrich the lives of incarcerated individuals, animals, and the community through the human-animal bond.

Our mission lives in the soul of everyone at Prison Pet Partnership (PPP)—because every day, we get up and envision a world of opportunity. Every day, we get up and experience the potential of humanity. Every day, we recommit ourselves to the work of re-entry programming.

THREE PRONGED MISSION IMPACT

• Incarcerated individuals learn job skills to secure employment post-release
• Animals are rescued and placed in loving homes
• Persons with disabilities gain independence through the assistance of a service dog

Since 1981, PPP has worked to advance employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals housed at Washington Corrections Center for Women by utilizing the positive mental health impacts of the human-animal bond. Often overlooked in the experiences of incarcerated women is a lived history of trauma, gender-based violence victimization, adverse mental health conditions, and systemic oppression – worsened while incarcerated – contributing to barriers to secure employment post-release.

The vocational education program provides in-class and hands-on learning in PPP’s boarding facility and grooming salon for program participants to earn certification as Pet Care Technicians, Groomers, Dog Trainers, and Veterinary Assistants. Purpose-bred dogs and those rescued from shelters are placed as Service Dogs – trained by program participants to assist persons with disabilities, including veterans. Some are placed as Therapy Dogs – trained to support children in a hospital setting, senior citizens in retirement homes, as well as domestic violence survivors during court. Both dogs and cats identified as Paroled Pets are provided basic training and handling – ultimately adopted out to loving families.

Our program participants – both human and animal – are provided opportunity and healing. Women are empowered to learn a trade that will prepare them for employment post-release. Homeless dogs are saved from euthanasia. Disabled veterans accesses independence through the assistance of a service dog. At PPP, we bear witness to incarcerated individuals' dignity, and celebrate their victories. Lives are forever changed for everyone involved.