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Prison puppies

In this Dec. 18, 2012, photo, Nero, a veteran assistance dog in training, takes a ball from inmate James Harrison during a training session at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md. Nero is one of three dogs assigned since September to inmates at the maximum-security prison for basic training as service dogs for disabled military veterans. The inmates, who are also veterans, are among the state's first prisoners to join a national trend of training service dogs in correctional institutions. Professional trainers say prison-raised dogs tend to graduate sooner and at higher rates than those raised traditionally in foster homes because puppies respond well to the consistency and rigid schedules of prison life.

Author: Edecio Martinez

Credit: Patrick Semansky