Service Puppies Named For New Program At Loudoun Detention Center

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Two service puppies at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center have names after a public vote. The puppies, Ginger and Moxie, are the first dogs to participate in a new inmate program from Heeling House and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

Heeling House, a local non-profit, delivered the puppies to the detention center on Monday. The service puppy program hopes to allow inmates to bond with an animal to change their lives.

"Through this program, inmate handlers who are part of the ADC’s Changing Habits and Nurturing Community Engagements (C.H.A.N.C.E.) program will have the opportunity to train and care for service puppies on-site, enabling them to develop new skills and an enhanced sense of personal responsibility," the sheriff's office said in a news release. "In turn, the puppies will receive obedience training in a nurturing environment that prepares them for their future roles as service animals on behalf of children and others."

Authorities said the program will help rehabilitate inmates, train service puppies, provide therapy for inmates, and give inmates employment opportunities upon their release.

"I’m excited to bring another innovative program to our ADC to promote the rehabilitation and wellness of our inmates,” Sheriff Mike Chapman said. “This program will also provide a variety of much-needed services to our community."

Heeling House will eventually place the trained service dogs with children who have special needs. More information about their service dog programs is available online.