aBOUT Heel to HeaL
It All Started when…
We are very excited to announce the start of a very special program that has been a collaboration between Hernando County Animal Services (HCAS) & Hernando Correctional Institution (HCI) and Follow My Lead, LLC. Laura Trumpold, CPDT & AKC Evaluator has been chosen to instruct an ongoing program called “Heel to Heal”- An obedience training program for dogs available for adoption from HCAS- being fostered through the inmates at HCI.
Dogs up for Adoption at HCAS
The inaugural class will begin in March of 2022 with six dogs from HCAS who will live in a dormitory with pre-approved inmate volunteers inside the institution. The inmate-trainers will provide daily care for the dogs and conduct training under the Laura Trumpold’s (Follow My Lead, LLC) guidance. During the eight week course, the inmate-trainers will work with their assigned dogs to complete training milestones and teach a few tricks along the way! Upon completion of the program, each dog will receive a basic obedience certificate and demonstrate their newly acquired skills during a traditional graduation ceremony.
Here is the curriculum that we teach each dog-
WATCH” . “TOUCH” . “SIT” . “DOWN” . “STAND” . “STAY” . “FREE”
“HEEL” . “COME” . “LEAVE IT!”. “TAKE IT!” . “DROP IT!” . “PLACE” . “BACK UP”
We also cover solutions to many common behavioral issues as well as reinforcing the dogs to greet politely, walk on a loose leash and have manners using a positive reinforcement based curriculum as many traditional tools are not allowed in the prison.
The mission of Heel to Heal will be to improve the lives of the inmates, teach them real world skills, and to spotlight these beautiful dogs, teach them manners and obedience ultimately getting them adopted quickly! I can't emphasize how excited and honored that I am to be chosen for this unique opportunity to help serve the community in this way. Thank you for all the support and to all the people that made this program possible.
We would like to give a special shout out to Operation Kindness, and The Ryan Foundation for making contributions that made these programs possible. Thank you!
YOUR DONATIONS FUND The HEEL TO HEAL PROGRAM
Donations to support the training fees for the Heel to Heal program may be made to Operation Kindness for Hernando County Animal Services.
Mailing Address for Checks (Preferred)
Operation Kindness
P.O. Box 6977, Spring Hill, FL 34611
***Please include in the memo line of checks (H2H) so the funds can be specially allocated for this cause.
Online Donations
***There is a blank field to add “special instructions” please write (H2H) in this area for the same reason. To make a donation, visit this secured link.
https://www.operationkindnesshcas.org/thank-you
