Sarge, an Oklahoma prisoner trained therapy dog, was recently inducted into the Oklahoma Animal Hall of Fame.
Bill Miller, who is serving a life sentence for a murder conviction, trained Sarge as part of the prison’s dog training program. According to NewsOK, the program allows a small group of offenders to prepare dogs for service as therapy animals, or to train them to be obedient enough for adoption.
“I cannot explain exactly why, but he touched me in a deep way,” Miller said to NewsOK. “I love all the dogs I train. Other trainers say I baby my dogs. Eh, it could be true, but Sarge has got that one spot in my heart.”
Sarge’s road to the Animal Hall of Fame was a long one. Sarge had two appointments to be euthanized, but was rescued from that fate as he became retrained. After Sarge left the prison, he went on to the Norman Veterans Center as a therapy dog and became a favorite at the center.
Army veteran Clarence Walters, 94, spent most of his time alone before Sarge came along, according to NewsOK.
“He kind of oversees things here,” Walters said to NewsOK.
The dog-training program allows inmates to expand their horizons and have a companion.
“You are giving people something, but you are also saving a dog,” Miller said. “I cannot be with my wife to change a light bulb or mow the grass, whatever, but with a dog, it gives me that responsibility… I think it helps every one of us reconnect with society.”
Junior Logan Gacconier said he sees animal training programs are beneficial for both the animals and the inmates.
“Not everyone is born evil,” Gacconier said. “Evil is taught and it can be untaught as well. The method for training these dogs seems to help steer people in in a more beneficial direction. I would say it is a very positive change for people in prison.”
The Animal Hall of Fame was created in 1987 to acknowledge animals that show unselfish and courageous service to their owners, the community and others. Sarge was an obvious choice for the few animals inducted annually.
According to the NewsOK, John Otto, a Norman-based veterinarian who helps operate dog training nominated Sarge. Otto said he sees how the inmates appreciate the opportunity to repay their debt to society through the dogs they train.
“That is where the beauty of this program comes from,” Otto said to NewsOK. “It takes the focus off yourself. I think [Miller] has found some solace in being able to do that. In a way, these animals represent his life in a way that he can give back to others.”
Oklahoma Christian University is no stranger to therapy dogs. In spring semesters during two days of finals week, the university has a “de-stress” area that includes massages, a coloring station, a Lego-building station and therapy dogs.
“I think that dogs are such a great therapeutic tool that can help a person significantly,” freshman Lily Olivas said. “Dogs have this natural way of bonding to us and have a lifetime companionship. They naturally make us want a furry friend because they make us so happy by being cute or playful.”
Therapy dogs receive extensive training to provide psychological or physiological therapy to individuals. They have stable temperaments and friendly, easy-going personalities.
“Dogs already provide a sense of security, happiness and companionship,” Gacconier said. “It makes me appreciate those dogs even more when they come to OC in the spring. It also makes me thank those who have taken the time out of their lives to help these animals be bigger than normal.”
Olivas said therapy dogs are a good way to “let the woes of daily life slip away”, especially during a stressful time like finals week.
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