According to king, the only funding for this program is a fundraiser that is hosted by Riggs Studio and Camera Shop in Great Bend.
The fundraiser is called Pet Photo for Christmas.
The dates for the fundraiser are Dec. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., and again on Dec. 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.
For more information or to make an appointment for photos call the studio at 620-792-2715.
For one local man, finding help and support after an accident came in the form of a loving dog named Maverick. This animal is not only a friend, but is a supportive creature that provides the help this man needs.
Maverick was donated to Danny Hammeke through the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility’s Best Chance Dog Rescue which is part of the Golden Belt Humane Society.
“This is a wonderful program,” said Bobbie King, president of the Golden Belt Humane Society. “These animals not only help those that are in need, but they also help their trainers at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility. It provides the inmate population a positive, valuable means by which they can contribute to society.”
According to GBHS, the LCMHF Best Chance Dog Rescue Program is designed to utilize inmate dog handlers to provide socialization and obedience training to dogs that have been surrendered to the society.
In cooperation with facility staff, the Golden Belt Humane Society will select dogs from their kennel that need additional socialization and obedience training prior to adoption. These dogs will be matched with inmate handlers selected by facility staff. The handlers will then be responsible for the dog’s care, handling, education and grooming.
Each inmate handler will keep “his” dog in the program until staff and the inmate believes the dog has successfully completed the program. The dogs will reside in pet taxis in the assigned handlers room within the minimum security-housing unit. At the end of the training period, the dogs will be adopted out to their forever homes.
The LCMHF program was founded in August 1999. It is coordinated by King.
“The program has proven to be very successful, with an adoption success rate of 99 percent,” King said.
Dogs who have completed the program and been adopted out have ended up as far away as New York City, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, as well as in Barton and Pawnee Counties. The graduates of this program will have completed a course in basic obedience. Upon completion of the program the dogs are available for adoption.
For more information about this program contact King at 620-786-5303.
