ANC student finds 'Justice' in canine program

Blytheville resident Mona DeCamp wakes up each day with Justice by her side, thanks to a canine training program being helmed by the state's correctional department.

In November of last year DeCamp adopted a mixed-breed dog, Justice, from the Jefferson County Humane Society with the intent of training the dog to help her with her physical disabilities. According to Decamp, Justice has been more than she ever could have hoped for.

"I started looking for a dog that I could train to be my service dog early last summer," DeCamp said, "I got Justice in November and I couldn't have asked for more from a dog."

DeCamp first found Justice, who was then named Iris, while searching the internet for a new companion and helper. When she came across Justice she noticed the dog was listed as being a part of the "Paws in Prison" program. Not knowing what that was, DeCamp spent the next few days reading up on the Arkansas Department of Correction's "Paws in Prison" program, which utilized inmates at state prison facilities to train dogs endanger of being euthanized. This meant that Justice would be obedience trained and housebroken when she completed the program, a major plus for DeCamp.

Shea Wilson, communications administrator for the ADC, said the "Paws" program greatly benefits the dogs, the inmates and the new family of the adopted dogs. The program operates in five prisons throughout the state and partners with area animal shelters and professional dog trainers. The dogs are put through an 8-10 week training course throughout which they spend each day with inmates trained in dog training. Wilson said this constant contact with the dog allows inmates to experience the "unconditional love of a dog" and helps the dog get used to being with a new family.

"This program provides a meaningful, positive way for these inmates to try to make things right and to help save these dogs from being euthanized," Wilson said.

The program, which has adopted dogs as far out as Colorado and California, is attracting a lot of attention from surrounding states, according to Wilson, who said they've had an unexpected amount of interest in the program from other areas.

DeCamp, who is studying Criminal Justice at Arkansas Northeastern College, said while waiting for the dog to graduate from the program she came up with a new name for her.

"I wanted a name that fit the situation," she said, "I recently started going back to school for Criminal Justice, so I named her Justice."

DeCamp said Justice was an overachiever, graduating from the program early, and has since been able to adapt to every new situation she faced.

"Justice has done everything I've needed her to do so far, and has been able to adjust to new things since the beginning. We got her one day and by the next day she had learned to get in and out of my van. Now I want to train her to be my service dog and help me out, especially here at school. With my little dog on my lap I can't carry my books, but I found a back pack for Justice and now they just need to approve me bringing her to class," DeCamp said.

Just a few weeks after bringing Justice home, DeCamp said the dog won a place in her heart after saving one of her smaller dogs from an eagle that was trying to attack it.

"If I had not seen this I probably wouldn't believe it, but I was there in my yard and this eagle came down to try to take one of my little dogs and it was like Justice said "Not my new best friend" and she ran out there and ran the eagle off. She saved my dog. When she did that she won a place in my heart forever," DeCamp explained.

DeCamp said she is still working with Justice on her service dog training and is confident the dog will be able to perform whatever is asked of her.

For more information on the "Paws in Prison" program or to find out how to make a donation visit adc.arkansas.gov and click on the program's icon.

cpinkard@blythevillecourier.com