Every community has people who are struggling in different ways. Among them, consider these two groups: First, there are people of all ages who face varied challenges from physical and developmental disabilities, needing support for daily activities of living. In contrast, there are incarcerated individuals who have made mistakes and are looking for ways to serve their prison time productively, making a difference for someone else.
The intersection between these two groups of people is the place where Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN) exists. ICAN trains and places assistance dogs with individuals with disabilities and provides foundational life skills to inmates through their experience as trainers.
ICAN President Jillian Ashton describes the unique relationship between ICAN clients and trainers: “Everyone views one another—not for the mistakes that they’ve made or their disabilities—but actually views them through the opportunity to help one another. It’s my favorite part of the organization, because at that moment, they’re just two people coming together to help each other out.”
Long before an ICAN dog is placed with a client, there’s an extensive training program to prepare the pup for a life of service. Through the coordinated efforts of inmate trainers and dedicated volunteers, each ICAN dog learns to stay focused in different situations, so they can reliably serve their client.
When a client is matched with an ICAN dog in training, a structured transfer takes place during which clients spend time inside the prison, learning about their assigned dogs from the inmate trainers who know them best.
“We get a lot of support from the Department of Corrections to do this,” Ashton continued. “What it does for these inmates is that it humanizes them and gives them better relationships with their own families. Often, the dog in training acts as a social bridge between an inmate and his or her own family, inviting both sides to see the positive impact they’re making for someone else.”
ICAN, the only accredited service dog training program based in Indiana, has placed 200 assistance dogs since 2002 and currently has a waiting list of 88 people in need of a dog. Aside from assisting with tasks of everyday living, service dogs provide much-needed companionship and unconditional love for clients who may suffer feelings of isolation.
ICAN service dogs are matched with facilities and individuals with various physical and developmental challenges.
To fund continual growth of their programs, the agency relies on donations, sponsorships and fundraising events. ICAN’s largest annual fundraiser “Wine & Wags” is scheduled for October 8, 2020. This year’s virtual event, co-hosted by WTHR’s Chuck Lofton and Nicole Misencik, will be an online experience filled with inspiring testimonies and an introduction to ICAN’s newest litter of puppies. Registration is free; learn more at www.ICANdog.org.
In closing, ICAN President Jillian Ashton shared this additional tip about how we can help service dogs be more successful in their roles: “Service dogs are not pets. They’re dogs with a job, and they need to be really focused on the individual whom they’re serving.” So, if you see a service dog in public, it’s best to admire from afar and not distract him or her from the needs of their trusted client.
Here’s How You Can Help:
- Register for ICAN’s upcoming “Wine & Wags” virtual fundraising event on October 8 and share the information with others in your social network.
- Donate to ICAN’s ongoing programs to continue the work of training and placing service dogs in our community.
- Volunteer with ICAN, serving as a Puppy Starter, Litter Sitter or Furlough volunteer.