| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. announces that the Sheriff’s Office is starting a new program in the county jail which
will accept homeless dogs who will be taught basic obedience training and other skills by inmates, that will help the dogs be more
adoptable and increase their chances of going to a permanent home. The Sheriff’s Office contacted the Columbia Greene
Humane Society/SPCA (CGHS/SPCA) to become partners in the program which is called “A New Leash on Life”. The program
was developed and will be overseen by Captain John Davi, Commander of the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division.
This unique partnership places homeless dogs selected by these agencies, into the Columbia County Jail where they will live with
and be trained by specifically selected volunteer inmates. The inmates who are chosen to be primary and secondary handlers
must first be eligible based on their classification and their disciplinary history while incarcerated. They are then interviewed
individually by Sheriff’s Office staff. Once chosen, the inmate will receive two hours of classroom training before they begin 6
weeks of round the clock care of their assigned dog. Once a week, a formal training class is held by Charlene Marchand, a
volunteer professional trainer and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the CGHS/SPCA. Depending on the needs of each
individual dog, the inmate will work with the dog on basic home skills and socialization. Once the dogs complete the six week
program, they will possess obedience skills such as how to heel, sit, recall and stay. The dogs will also be house trained, leash
trained and responsive to voice and hand commands, making the dog more adoptable with the end result being their adoption to
a loving permanent home.
Upon completion, the dogs will be available for adoption through the Columbia Greene Humane Society/SPCA. The program
costs county taxpayers nothing as those involved volunteer their time, and equipment is donated or purchased from the inmate
commissary fund as allowed by the NYS Commission of Correction.
Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA is dedicated to the protection, humane treatment, and well being of all animals. Its
mission is accomplished by commitment to community outreach, humane education and prevention of cruelty to animals. They
do not euthanize animals for space constraints and do not receive any federal, state, or county funding.
It is our hope that this program will not only provide a second chance for these sheltered dogs, but will also allow the inmates
participating in the program to experience a feeling of giving back something positive to the community and gain a sense of
responsibility, and satisfaction by teaching and taking care of the animal. They will also learn job skills in dog training and
grooming which may help them once they are released from jail.
For more information about a “A New Leash of Life” program or adopting a dog that has graduated from the program contact the
CGHS/SPCA at (518) 828-6044, email info@cghs.org or Everlasting Hope Animal Rescue at 518-821-9422.
will accept homeless dogs who will be taught basic obedience training and other skills by inmates, that will help the dogs be more
adoptable and increase their chances of going to a permanent home. The Sheriff’s Office contacted the Columbia Greene
Humane Society/SPCA (CGHS/SPCA) to become partners in the program which is called “A New Leash on Life”. The program
was developed and will be overseen by Captain John Davi, Commander of the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division.
This unique partnership places homeless dogs selected by these agencies, into the Columbia County Jail where they will live with
and be trained by specifically selected volunteer inmates. The inmates who are chosen to be primary and secondary handlers
must first be eligible based on their classification and their disciplinary history while incarcerated. They are then interviewed
individually by Sheriff’s Office staff. Once chosen, the inmate will receive two hours of classroom training before they begin 6
weeks of round the clock care of their assigned dog. Once a week, a formal training class is held by Charlene Marchand, a
volunteer professional trainer and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the CGHS/SPCA. Depending on the needs of each
individual dog, the inmate will work with the dog on basic home skills and socialization. Once the dogs complete the six week
program, they will possess obedience skills such as how to heel, sit, recall and stay. The dogs will also be house trained, leash
trained and responsive to voice and hand commands, making the dog more adoptable with the end result being their adoption to
a loving permanent home.
Upon completion, the dogs will be available for adoption through the Columbia Greene Humane Society/SPCA. The program
costs county taxpayers nothing as those involved volunteer their time, and equipment is donated or purchased from the inmate
commissary fund as allowed by the NYS Commission of Correction.
Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA is dedicated to the protection, humane treatment, and well being of all animals. Its
mission is accomplished by commitment to community outreach, humane education and prevention of cruelty to animals. They
do not euthanize animals for space constraints and do not receive any federal, state, or county funding.
It is our hope that this program will not only provide a second chance for these sheltered dogs, but will also allow the inmates
participating in the program to experience a feeling of giving back something positive to the community and gain a sense of
responsibility, and satisfaction by teaching and taking care of the animal. They will also learn job skills in dog training and
grooming which may help them once they are released from jail.
For more information about a “A New Leash of Life” program or adopting a dog that has graduated from the program contact the
CGHS/SPCA at (518) 828-6044, email info@cghs.org or Everlasting Hope Animal Rescue at 518-821-9422.
Lola is a 2 and 1/2 year old
female blue brindle Cane
Corso with cropped ears and a
docked tail. She is up to date
on all shots and is
micro-chipped. If interested in
meeting Lola, please contact
the Everlasting Hope Animal
Rescue at
adoptapup@hotmail.com.
female blue brindle Cane
Corso with cropped ears and a
docked tail. She is up to date
on all shots and is
micro-chipped. If interested in
meeting Lola, please contact
the Everlasting Hope Animal
Rescue at
adoptapup@hotmail.com.
Eli is a 2 year old male Boxer
mix. He is up to date on all
shots and knows basic
commands. If interested in
meeting Eli, please contact the
Everlasting Hope Animal
Rescue at
adoptapup@hotmail.com.
mix. He is up to date on all
shots and knows basic
commands. If interested in
meeting Eli, please contact the
Everlasting Hope Animal
Rescue at
adoptapup@hotmail.com.
Clause is a 2 and 1/2 year old
neutered male Chesapeake
Bay/Labrador Retriever Cross He
does well with most other dogs and is
very people friendly. If interested in
meeting Clause, please contact the
Columbia Greene Humane Society.
neutered male Chesapeake
Bay/Labrador Retriever Cross He
does well with most other dogs and is
very people friendly. If interested in
meeting Clause, please contact the
Columbia Greene Humane Society.