Incarcerated veterans train dogs for other vets

January 4, 2013 | Modified: January 4, 2013 at 5:46 am
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In this Dec. 18, 2012 photo, Nero, a veteran assistance dog in training, takes a ball from inmate James Harrison during a training session at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md. Nero is one of three dogs assigned since September to inmates at the maximum-security prison for basic training as service dogs for disabled military veterans. The inmates, who are also veterans, are among the state's first prisoners to join a national trend of training service dogs in correctional institutions. Professional trainers say prison-raised dogs tend to graduate sooner and at higher rates than those raised traditionally in foster homes because puppies respond well to the consistency and rigid schedules of prison life. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

CRESAPTOWN, Md. (AP) — Inmates at a maximum-security prison in western Maryland have joined a growing trend nationwide by training service dogs.

But all the inmates in this program are military veterans, training dogs that will eventually be used by disabled veterans.

Three inmates at Western Correctional Institution have been sharing their cells since September with puppies provided by America's VetDogs of Smithtown, N.Y.

Professional trainers say prison-raised dogs tend to succeed at higher rates because puppies thrive on consistency and rigid schedules. And that's just what they get in prison.

Only the inmates with the best behavior are allowed in the program and they can't have any history of child or animal abuse. Veteran inmates with honorable discharges are preferred for the Maryland program, but others can be considered.