The George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Delaware County has just witnessed its latest cohort of participants graduate from the New Leash on Life USA program, as per a release from the county's website. This innovative reentry initiative, which pairs incarcerated individuals with shelter dogs at risk of euthanasia, celebrated another successful graduation ceremony this past Tuesday.
The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, including the facility’s Warden Laura Williams, Program Administrator Kelly Shaw, founder and CEO of New Leash on Life USA Marian Marchese, and representatives from the Jail Oversight Board and other County agencies, all gathered to honor the transformative journey of the graduates who have rehabilitated alongside their canine companions, with the Warden expressing, “This is rehabilitation in its truest form—changing lives, building futures, and giving both people and dogs a second chance," as mentioned on the county's official website.
Funded through a $1.9 million federal grant aimed at supporting Prison-to-Community Workforce Development initiatives, the program has shown promising results. It has demonstrated a significant effect on reducing recidivism and fostering a fresh start for participants, as told by Councilmember Kevin Madden, "Programs like New Leash on Life demonstrate the real impact of second chances," according to Delaware County. Serving over 685 individuals since its inception in 2011, New Leash on Life USA boasts a 75% graduation rate and has managed to lower one-year recidivism rates to a mere 10.5%, while also saving and preparing over 312 dogs for adoption into loving homes.
The program operates in two phases: the first 12 weeks involve in-facility workshops on dog training, life skills, career readiness, and trauma-informed care, while during the second 12 weeks, participants engage in reentry services and paid internships. As they prepare to reenter society the program also provides ongoing resources for job placement, transit, housing, and health care, complementing the facility's PREP program and mental health services, which are supported by a recent federal grant of $769,825. According to Marian Marchese, the bond between the participants and their rescue dogs is not only transformative but also requires considerable commitment, as she highlighted, “Our participants and their rescue dogs created a powerful, transformative bond and put in a tremendous amount of work over the past 12 weeks, and now both are ready for their fresh start in the community," as reported by the county's official website.
A sense of pride and accomplishment was echoed by Lauren Ambrose, a certified dog trainer with the program, who observed firsthand the mutual growth of participants and their dogs, stressing, "Watching participants and their dogs grow together is incredibly rewarding," while Warden Williams emphasized the collective effort behind the program's success: "This graduation is the result of dedication, collaboration, and a shared belief in the power of second chances," as noted by Delaware County. The contributions of all involved parties, including the Office of the Public Defender and Adult Probation, among others, have been crucial in launching this initiative, which seeks to redefine reentry and rehabilitation within the community.
