Dogs Graduating From Peninsula Inmate Training Program Need Adoption
REDWOOD CITY (KCBS) — Four dogs graduated on Thursday from a special program on the peninsula that paired them with county jail inmates for training.
San Mateo County Assistant Sheriff Trisha Sanchez said the dogs in TAILS, an acronym for Transitioning Animals into Loving Homes, are matched with minimum-security inmates are usually considered unadoptable.
"If they get this additional type of training we make them more adoptable to the public," she said.
The dogs who graduated Thursday are Doc, Lucky, Tope and Nutmeg.
Alex Iorio, who's served three months of his five month sentence for failure to pay child support, was paired with Nutmeg was paired with Nutmeg for the eight-week program.
"It was love at first sight; she's a really sweet dog. She's really easygoing. She's a quick learner," he said.
Peninsula Humane Society trainer Martina Contreras said the dogs in the program have often been mistreated in the past.
"The main thing is that they learn to trust people," she said.
Sanchez said that the inmate grow from the experience as well.
"They learn a lot about leadership, skill development and compassion," she said.
One of the dogs has already been adopted and the Sheriffs office is trying to get the word out about the other three.
Anyone interested in adopting one of the dogs from the TAILS program call the PHS at (650) 340-7022 x374.