Inmates ready to rehabilitate rescued Westies

[bigdoglover]

Appleton Post-Crescent

By Kathy Walsh Nufer


GREENVILLE — After three months spent training a beagle named “Droopy,” Sanger B. Powers inmate Edward Vu had a hard time turning the dog over for adoption Saturday.


But waiting for Vu at the Fox Valley Human Association’s animal shelter was a brand new challenge, a bedraggled 10-year-old West Highland Terrier named, Skylar, rescued recently from a puppy mill in Waukesha.

Within minutes, the skittish Skylar had found a home cuddled close in Vu’s lap and Vu, scratching Skylar’s ears, had begun strategizing how he will spend the next six to eight weeks coaxing out the canine’s personality and confidence.

Droopy, who learned to respond to commands in both Hmong and English, and loves chicken liver, had his own set of special problems and Skylar will have his, he said, “But these dogs just need love, just like we need love.”

Vu, 15, of Green Bay, is one of several inmates from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections work-release camp in Oneida who participate in REBOUND, a program to rehabilitate dogs that might otherwise be euphonized because of behavior problems.

In the last two years the inmates have trained 48 dogs for adoption.

In many cases, training and socializing the dogs to give them a second chance also provides the inmates a new lease on life, said Sgt. Gary Seigneur, who heads up the camp’s dog program.

“These guys do a great job and they will make sure the dogs get a lot of attention,” he said.

The half-dozen “Westies,” ages five- to 10-years-old, will need all the tender loving care they can get, said Kathy Schuessler, education coordinator for the shelter.

“They have lived their lives stacked in crates in a basement. They have no idea what grass is, or what toys are, and haven’t heard the radio or TV. These guys will have to give them big doses of love and patience.”

Duane Wittwer, 37, of Beloit, made the acquaintance of shy 10-year-old “Hilda,” and got to work with his new charge, welcoming the distraction from saying a glum goodbye to “Jasmine,” a golden lab he had readied for adoption.

“She seems to be coming around,” he said, noting that given the neglect and poor conditions Hilda had endured, he plans to “treat her like a puppy. I’m going to have to get her used to people. Every dog has a personality that makes them special. My job is to bring hers out.”

Vu said he would concentrate on feeding Skylar.

“He is so skinny and fragile,” Vu said. He then planned to work on the dog’s confidence.

“I just want him to be happy and outgoing,” Vu said.

Wittwer, who is serving time for attempted homicide, and Vu for the manufacture and delivery of cocaine, both said getting to use their skills training dogs has been a boost for them personally.

Vu said he takes pride in knowing Droopy is well trained for his next owner.

Witter and Vu promised that by December when they return their new charges for adoption, Skylar and Hilda won’t look or act anything like they do now.

“Come back when they graduate and you will see the difference,” Witter said.

[K.Seigneur-Wegner]

Honestly I'm a little surprised to not find more reference to this program here. I have alot of people tell me that the whole things stupid and that they are making it sound like puppy mills are worse than they really are, but the simple fact is ironically just that. They are worse than what we're told. I can say this as a fact through personnal experience ( Having participated in the shutting down of one right here in my own town) and also from what my father ( Sgt. Gary Seigneur) has told me. People just don't understand it because they don't see it. I've been there with my dad when these poor animals would be getting picked up from the FVHA, People don't get the chance to see just how worn down, sick, and 100% terrified these dogs really are. I amd proud to have a father that helps with the rehabilitation of these dogs, and I am also proud to say that on may 17th I will be the loving owner of one of the REBOUND dogs. It's a wonderfull thing that is being done for these animals, and more people whould be made aware, not just of the REBOUND program in Oneida but also of the programs that may be active right in there own communities. Offer your support to/and help these organizations... They are working to give these dogs a second chance, we should feel honoured to be able to assist them.