Stafford Creek Corrections Center (SCCC), located off SR105 approximately five miles south of Aberdeen, operates a highly successful dog-training program called Freedom Tails. Freedom Tails partners rescued shelter dogs with SCCC offenders. Caring for their charges 24/7, offender handlers work with the dogs over a ten-week period, preparing them for well-behaved lives in adoptive homes.
Freedom Tails has proven to be a win, win, win for dogs, offenders and pet adopters. The offenders learn responsibility, gain self-esteem and enjoy canine companionship. The dogs receive loving care, socialization skills and training in basic commands, and the adoptive families get a great new pet that fits in and functions well.
Program history
The first prison dog-training program in Washington started more than 20 years ago at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Purdy. The Stafford Creek program, started in 2009, was the first for all-male offenders.
It has been so successful, several other all-male offender facilities in the state system now have programs of their own, with other facilities considering it, as well.
Former SCCC Superintendent Dan Pacholke was the first to investigate the possibility of starting a dog-training program at Stafford Creek. While still in the planning stages, Pacholke transferred to state Department of Corrections headquarters in Olympia. New Stafford Creek Superintendent, Pat Glebe, moved forward on the project with Correctional Unit Supervisor (CUS) Dennis Cherry and North Beach PAWS (NBPAWS) Director Joan Baus to bring Freedom Tails to fruition.
The program included efforts by the sponsoring organization and NBPAWS shelters to place each dog in the current class in a ‘forever home’ by the time its training session was completed.
HAVA new sponsor
Earlier this year, North Beach PAWS chose to step down as the Freedom Tails Program Administrator. Harbor Association of Volunteers for Animals (HAVA) was approached to see if that organization would be willing to become the Administrator. After discussions, HAVA entered into a four-year contract to take over sponsorship.
The Freedom Tails Graduating Class of Dec. 4, 2014 is the very first group of dogs to complete their training under HAVA’s umbrella. That brings the total number of dogs that have been placed with families following Freedom Tails training to 252.
HAVA beginnings
HAVA had its beginnings right here on the South Beach. Founded in 1990, the organization was created as a lost and found pet registry with its own telephone line set up in Westport resident Shirley Brown’s home.
Incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1993, Brown and volunteers maintained a small shelter and thrift store in Westport until the spring of 1999, when funding ran out. In order to keep the non-profit organization in tact, Brown contacted animal welfare activists in the Raymond area who were willing to take over the reins and continue the organization. Since then HAVA has continued to care for abandoned cats and dogs.
No-kill cat shelter
In 2012, with a generous financial donation, volunteers were able to purchase a house in Raymond and remodel it into a no-kill shelter for cats. HAVA continues to foster dogs in private homes in Raymond and South Beach area communities until they find forever homes.
Sponsorship of the Freedom Tails program at Stafford Creek is the latest major milestone in meeting HAVA’s mission to rescue and find loving homes for animals that are in need.
Donations welcome
If you would like to help continue HAVA’s mission of rescuing animals in need and helping their humans whenever possible, you may send monetary donations to: HAVA, PO BOX 243, Raymond, WA 98577 or go to www.hava-heart.org and make a contribution via PayPal.