By Jackie Fernandez, AA/PIO, California State Prison, Los Angeles County
California State Prison, Los Angeles County’s (LAC) Visitor Processing area was filled with![]()
excitement as invited guests, media, Karma Rescue volunteers and families of the adopted dogs arrived for the first Paws for Life (PFL) graduation.
LAC’s partnership with Karma Rescue connected the fourteen PFL inmates with the shelter dogs for a 12-week training cycle taught by professional dog trainer Mark Tipton. The five rescued shelter dogs that entered the Facility ‘A’ Progressive Programming Facility (PPF) back in June were ready to graduate along with their inmate trainers.
One by one Mr. Tipton announced each trainer by name as they proudly accepted their Certification of Completion for dog training at the Good Canine Citizen (GCC) level. Next, Inmate Murray called each dog to the floor and shook their paw acknowledging that they successfully passed their GCC certification testing.
![]()
The adoptive families received their dogs along with a portrait hand painted by Inmate Branscombe of the Prison Arts Program (PAP). Goodbyes were said to the dogs and the inmates watched as they left with their new family members.
Ten new rescued shelter dogs will soon arrive for placement into the PFL program in September.
LAC is delighted to be in partnership with Karma Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving animals in need by finding them permanent homes.
California State Prison, Los Angeles County’s (LAC) Visitor Processing area was filled with
excitement as invited guests, media, Karma Rescue volunteers and families of the adopted dogs arrived for the first Paws for Life (PFL) graduation.LAC’s partnership with Karma Rescue connected the fourteen PFL inmates with the shelter dogs for a 12-week training cycle taught by professional dog trainer Mark Tipton. The five rescued shelter dogs that entered the Facility ‘A’ Progressive Programming Facility (PPF) back in June were ready to graduate along with their inmate trainers.
One by one Mr. Tipton announced each trainer by name as they proudly accepted their Certification of Completion for dog training at the Good Canine Citizen (GCC) level. Next, Inmate Murray called each dog to the floor and shook their paw acknowledging that they successfully passed their GCC certification testing.
The adoptive families received their dogs along with a portrait hand painted by Inmate Branscombe of the Prison Arts Program (PAP). Goodbyes were said to the dogs and the inmates watched as they left with their new family members.Ten new rescued shelter dogs will soon arrive for placement into the PFL program in September.
LAC is delighted to be in partnership with Karma Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving animals in need by finding them permanent homes.