In Citrus County, some inmates have new four-legged roommates.

The jail recently partnered with the county animal shelter to bring in dogs for inmates to train.

  • Inmates say dogs have boosted their spirits
  • Dogs will eventually be up for adoption
  • Daily schedule kept for obedience training

In just three weeks, inmates have grown to love and live with a couple pups. "They come from the animal shelter, he was kind of living in a place like we are right now," said inmate handler Kyle Woods.

Two dogs were brought from the shelter to the Citrus County Detention Facility. Now they eat, sleep and train with their inmate handler 24 hours a day.

"It's really boosted my spirits big time. I mean, he's become my best friend," Woods said.

The idea is to help get the animals adoptable and give the inmate nurturing qualities and responsibilities.

"I want to go to the humane society and see if I can volunteer some of my time, and if I do good I'll see if I can get a job there," said inmate handler Allen Samuel.

The inmates keep a daily schedule, noting what the dog has learned and what they need to improve.

"Their purpose really is to teach them the basic obedience training that you and I would want to see in our home, that they're house broke, that they follow commands," said Warden Russell Washburn.

After a few weeks, Wood's says he's already seeing a difference in his dog, Fry. "He's only six months old, but he's learned a lot. When he first came here he wasn't healing or sitting or anything."

Now Woods is like a proud father. The hard part, he said, will be when the eight weeks are up. "I know he's going to go to a good family, so I'm proud of that too."

After eight weeks, another round of dogs from the shelter will be brought in for training. The goal is to have up to eight dogs at a time.

Inmates apply for the program. They have to have good behavior and no violent or sexual crimes to be accepted.