Richland Correctional training program a godsend for Ashland County Dog Shelter

Mark Caudill
Mansfield News Journal

MANSFIELD - Rigby really wanted to meet Bentley.

The Walker coonhound slightly tugged at his leash to say hello to Bentley, a Shih Tzu, during a demonstration Monday at Richland Correctional Institution. 

Richland Correctional Institution inmate Scott Rampley interacts with Bentley on Monday morning inside the prison. RiCI inmates feed, train and exercise dogs to prepare them for adoption.

 

Inmates at RiCI have been training dogs from the Ashland County Dog Shelter since 2007 in hopes of getting them ready for adoption.

Rigby was one of five dogs on hand that had entered the program only a week ago. Despite the brevity of his training, he didn't get too anxious to see Bentley when the tiny dog retreated.

He's learning.

"He's not that far advanced yet, but his mind is like a sponge," inmate trainer Michael Gannon said of Rigby.

Bentley, on the other hand, is a pro. He's already been through training. Bentley was adopted by Kelly Rose, who runs the pound puppy program.

Inmate trainer Scott Rampley took Bentley up front for a quick demonstration of basic commands on Monday.

Bentley comes to work with Rose and stays as part of doggy daycare. Prison staff can leave their dogs during the day, as well as get them groomed.

With money collected from the daycare and grooming services, prison officials made a donation of $3,000 to the Ashland County Dog Shelter during Monday's demonstration.

Dogs of all breeds and sizes are learning obedience skills under the care and watch of inmates at the Richland Correctional Institution. Bane is one of the dogs being trained by inmates at RiCI.

 

Ashland County dog Warden Tom Kosht said the money will help provide food and care for the shelter's dogs.

"Without it, it would be a little harder," he said.

The prison program has been a godsend to Ashland County. Kosht said sending dogs to RiCI has allowed Ashland to become close to a no-kill shelter.

"A  lot of them are adopted before they leave here (RiCI)," the dog warden said. "People want well-trained dogs."

Since the program started, Ashland County has sent more than 700 dogs to the prison. 

"To this point, there's been no dogs that have not been adopted," Rose said.

Dogs are with their inmate trainers 24 hours a day. The prison receives new dogs every eight weeks.

"Often, the dogs we receive are in bad shape and in need of a positive environment," Rose said.

The inmates need that, too.

"It's peaceful. It gives you something positive to do," Gannon said. "Not only does it help me, it helps the community.

"We're actually saving two dogs' lives, this one and the one off the street."

Gannon has been working with dogs at RiCI for about nine years.

He's getting to know Rigby, who is 8 months old and named after a song by the Beatles.

With all the action going on, Rigby had moved on from Bentley. As a reporter interviewed Gannon, the coonhound focused on a M&M cookie sitting on a nearby chair.

Gannon also described having a dog as a "tension breaker" with other inmates, who want to pet his canine companion.

Rampley said he has trained 16 dogs during his time at RiCI.

"It helps take you out of here," he said. "It makes the time go by."

The dogs seem to enjoy the quality time, too.

"Bentley beats me to the door to come here," Rose said. "That's how good of a job these guys do."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill