By NANCY SWANSON
For The Outpost

Prison Paws for Humanity may be one of Billings’ best kept secrets, but its program is being touted by many satisfied customers, one of whom describes it as “that great dog training program at the Montana Women’s Prison.”

Literally through word of mouth, dog owners have discovered the benefits of enrolling their dogs in the 5-year old training program at the Montana Women’s Prison in Billings.

Puppy Paws for Humanity was created in 2004 by Deb Bouwkamp, after she saw the TV program “Cell Dogs” on Animal Planet. Inspired, she contacted Montana Women’s Prison Warden Jo Acton, who heartily endorsed the idea.

Bouwkamp also met with Dave Kline of the Billings Animal Shelter and Sonya Whitely of Billings Veterinary Service; within 10 days, 10 dogs were enrolled in the program, which is now overseen by Montana Correctional Enterprises at the prison.

As program director, Bouwkamp created the training program, working one-on-one with the women, teaching them how to train the dogs.

Prison Paws for Humanity Dog Training Program includes:

• Basic and Advanced Obedience Training (two sessions offered).

• Dog boarding (must be trained at or adopted by prison first).

• Dog grooming (must be trained at or adopted by prison first).

• Care of “rescue dogs” (abused, abandoned or privately released).

• Adoption of dogs that have been rescued  (available dogs can be viewed at www.montanapets.org or www.petfinders.com).

Program highlights include:

• One-on-one three- to four-week training, caring for and grooming of dog.

• Dog sleeping in crate in trainer’s room.

• Instructing owner how to maintain training with dog.

Program director Bouwkamp works side-by-side with Jessica, 25, whom she affectionately calls the “Dog Whisperer.” Jessica is responsible for dogs’ medication schedules, problems each dog may have and the welfare of each dog, contacting Bouwkamp if there is an emergency.

On this particular day, Jessica enters the room with 10-month-old Oliver, a deaf English setter that is tied by leash to Jessica’s waist. His previous owners bought him as a field dog and later discovered he was deaf. He will reside at the prison until he is adopted.

“When Oliver first came here, he wouldn’t even sit still,” Jessica says. “He was very overbearing; he was bred to go, go, go. He is much calmer now.”

Bouwkamp adds, “The biggest challenge was getting his attention. Because deaf dogs can’t hear, they can’t respond to voice commands, so we use hand signals. It is very visual for them.”

She says, “We train the dog to focus on the person and not to get distracted by what is around them. Potential adoptees of deaf dogs must be patient and spend a lot of time with the dog.”

Jessica says, “I like Oliver’s personality. He is very outgoing and — like the women here — he’s learned his boundaries, what is tolerated and what is not. He is very loving and the faces he makes will just melt you.”

Oliver has since been adopted and lives with Oscar, a deaf English pointer that was also trained at the prison.

The program has been a life-changing experience for Jessica — and several hundred other women who have participated in it.

“This program has taught me patience, confidence in myself and made me proud that we can give these dogs a second chance and train them so their owners can work with them,” she says. “Because of this program, I have learned that I can be loved by people and by animals — and that people have confidence in me.”

However, being accepted into the program requires discipline and commitment on the women’s part.

“The women have to work their way into the program,” Bouwkamp says. “They must maintain 90 days of clear conduct and be willing to work. In one month they must pass a writing exam and be tested working in basic and advanced sessions with dogs.”

Once in the program they have to work their way up, starting with cleaning the yard, taking out garbage and other mundane duties.”

Becky, 45, has trained more than 30 dogs in the program over the past three years. She likes the challenge of training dogs with behavior problems.

“It is rewarding to break through their issues with them, like when a dog is terrified but then ends up loving you,” she says. “These dogs lift our spirits. It’s nice to be needed and responsible.”

Becky says that the Prison Paws program has taught the women responsibility and to respect one another, adding, “I can tell you that without this program, there would be more bitterness and more fights.” She says that the nurturing and care given to the dogs is rewarding and compares it to the feelings women had when taking care of their children.

Montana Women’s Prison Warden Jo Acton says, “For inmates, this is a cross between a skill-building vocational program and therapeutic program. We see good teamwork effort; the women help each other. There is a difference in their self-esteem when they work with the dogs. Most of these women will be leaving here and they have learned to be responsible. They pick up feces and they clean the dogs’ teeth. There is a real emphasis on responsibility, accountability and helping people here to contribute and feel valuable.  Recidivism is at a lower rate. Once released, they do better. They call, write or tell us they were going through town and wanted to say hello.  This program is bonding as a whole.”

Jessi, 27, a former inmate at the prison who has since been discharged, says, “Before this program I had no confidence or self-esteem. I would never try anything new. This program hasn’t just helped me to train dogs but also to be a better person. I have had more structure and responsibility here in the two years of this program than in my whole life.  I learned how to put something before myself — I have learned to communicate for the best of the dog … . This program is not about us — it’s about the dogs. I had to learn time management - it’s not my time … it’s the dog’s time.”

With her newfound confidence she says, “When I came to the prison, I had no diploma. Now I have a GED and am attending Montana State University Billings, taking the Fundamentals of Math, Career Assessment and Work Skills, Literature.”

These dog whisperers have great respect for their mentor, Director Bouwkamp.

“Deb is awesome and has a heart of gold,” Becky says. “She loves the dogs and us conditionally. We have learned so much from her. She works so closely with us that sometimes we are like family.”

Jessica agrees, adding, “I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. She is very passionate and she pushes us. It is not easy on her — it’s 24 hours and it’s like taking care of children. We learn to be very responsible; Deb is so passionate and makes me believe in myself.”

In addition to training the women, Bouwkamp handles administrative details for the program, including certification of completing programs, criteria each dog must meet, training, fee schedules, test results and maintaining records for each dog.  Each dog must be current with required shots and be tested for parasites before being admitted to the program.

“This program shows the women that, ‘If I can do something in this program, I can also do something else positive,’” she says. “The expectation is that you get up, do what you have to do — you are accountable.”

Warden Acton and Director Bouwkamp stress that Prison Paws for Humanity is not designed to compete with other training programs. In fact, Bouwkamp says, “We suggest that owners have their dogs sign up for obedience classes elsewhere first, where they can learn what their dogs learn.”

Satisfied dogs and their owners are plentiful at Prison Paws. Bailey is a 21/2-year-old black Labrador whose owners have come to take him home after being trained by trainer Ellen.

Laura Treat, 14, and her mother, Joan, of Billings agree that Bailey is “a really sweet dog but needed training.” They observe as Ellen demonstrates the commands Bailey has been taught.

Bouwkamp tells Laura, “Make sure you and your mom are on the same page about training and discipline. It is really important.”

Pleased, Joan Treat says, “I feel great about this program. Our dog is really trained now and we can carry it through.  It is inexpensive and good for the women here to train dogs. And I am so impressed with how devoted Deb is to this program.”