Vancouver, BC -- Local politicians and dignitaries will be on hand to help the Correctional Service of Canada and the BC SPCA launch an innovative program on Jan. 29 to help increase the adoption rate for homeless and abused dogs. Through the program - the first of its kind in Canada - conditionally-released offenders currently residing at the Sumas Community Correctional Centre in Abbotsford will provide daily obedience training for "potentially adoptable" shelter dogs from the Lower Mainland. A new kennel, which can house up to 24 dogs, has been built at the Sumas Centre with funding from the federal government and the BC SPCA.

"Unfortunately, some of the dogs dropped off at shelters in the Lower Mainland have never received any kind of obedience training while others have developed problems as a result of neglect or abuse," says Bob Gordon, a BC SPCA officer who helped to create the program. "This new training program will offer a second chance for dogs who have the potential to make wonderful family pets, but who could not be adopted without dedicated training to help them develop good behaviours."

Erwin Berg of the Correctional Service of Canada says the program will also benefit the offenders who participate. "This kind of program encourages good work habits, a sense of responsibility, and an opportunity for the men to develop relationships of trust and affection - something they may not have experienced in their lives," says Berg. "Their bond with the animals helps build their confidence and self-esteem and can be instrumental in helping them develop positive relationships with other people." There are currently seven men signed up to take part in the program.

Offenders at Sumas will work with the dogs to curb behaviours such as jumping, excessive pulling on the leash, and lack of attentiveness to commands. "Many of the dogs we care for in shelters have been badly neglected and they need time to build trust with humans and to develop social skills with humans and with other dogs," says Bob Gordon. The BC SPCA will soon introduce a new assessment tool that will more accurately determine which dogs can be successfully rehabilitated with some attention and training. "Our partnership with the Sumas Centre means we now have a place to send these dogs for help, and we know it is going to greatly increase their chances of being adopted," says Gordon.

The dog rehabilitation project, which organizers hope will serve as a model for other institutions across Canada, is the second partnership between the Sumas Centre and the BC SPCA. The two organizations currently sponsor the Ark project, which provides temporary sheltering and socialization for up to 600 SPCA cats annually.