San Mateo County Inmates Transform Dogs Through TAILS Program

SAN MATEO (KCBS)_ A unique partnership that brings together county-jail inmates and animal shelter dogs on the peninsula celebrated a milestone this week. The so-called TAILS program (Transitioning Animals Into Loving Situations) saw the commencement of about half a dozen graduates.

The program matches anywhere from four to six dogs, currently housed at the Peninsula Humane Society, with inmates at the minimum-security wing of the San Mateo County jail.

Sheriff Lt. Lisa Williams, who runs the program, said both the inmates and the animals get benefits out of the relationship.

KCBS' Mark Seelig Reports:

"The dogs are transformed. They know basic obedience; their basic commands. It makes them more adoptable," said an enthusiastic Williams.

Men, like 25-year-old Starford, who has served four months of a six-month sentence for drunk driving and drug sales are among the program's seven inmates who were celebrated during this week's ceremony.

"They gave me Mister Bigs, a poodle. He was real skittish when he got here. Now I've worked with him for about two months and he's getting comfortable with being around people now. Hopefully someone nice adopts him," said the inmate.

Williams says the transformation of the inmate population since this program began is nothing short of a miracle.

"We've seen an increase in civility and improved behavior all the way across the board. It's just been remarkable," she said, adding that something about dogs brings out the best in people.

Humane Society Vice President Scott Delucchi said they win in the deal too.

"Right now at the shelter we have close to 700 animals. So just to have four with special needs getting the kind of attention they're getting, is amazing," said Delucchi.

This graduating class saw four dogs move on. One Chihuahua was adopted, while the process is moving forward for two other animals, including Starford's poodle, Mr Bigs.

For more information go to peninsula humane society.org.