Multimedia story by Madeline O. Gillespie and Meghan Doyle
At the Philadelphia Department of Prisons Detention Center, an innovative program called, New Leash on Life pairs incarcerated men with rescued shelter dogs for mutual healing and rehabilitation.
This 12-week program helps inmates develop and strengthen their essential life skills by preparing rescued dogs for adoption. The participants engage in comprehensive training sessions led by Michael Purcell, who is affectionately known as the ‘Canine Coach.’ The New Leash on Life sessions extend beyond the basics of dog training — they offer participants an opportunity to reflect on their lives while emphasizing patience, responsibility, and care while training their 4-legged cohorts.
“Taking what we’re doing with these dogs and working with them and training with them, we are also relating a lot of those teachings to our own lives in the form of practicing things like patience and just caring for something else other than ourselves,” said Michael Purcell.
The New Leash on Life Senior Vice President of Programs, Rob Rosa, brings personal experience to his role.
Having transformed his life in a similar program when he had been incarcerated, “I realized that my purpose in life was to rescue dogs before I got sucked [back] into the culture of addiction and crime,” Rosa explains.
Rosa now uses his position to encourage change in others.
Participating inmates’ daily responsibilities include caring for their canine partner from morning until night while providing consistent companionship. Organizers say this level of responsibility is a crucial component of the rehabilitation process, nurturing a sense of purpose and commitment.
The program also offers various classes, including career readiness and skills training to better prepare participants for life after their release.
Devin Overman, a recent graduate, believes the program set him up for success on the outside.
“Coming home with New Leash makes it easier to heal from the pain that you just dealt with,” he shares.
Research from the Bureau of Justice Statistics highlights the program’s success: only one out of ten graduates of New Leash on Life returns to the criminal justice system, compared to nearly two out of every three people released from prison nationwide.
To date, 336 participants have graduated from New Leash on Life, and 248 dogs have found forever homes.
As the program continues, it remains a beacon of hope and a testament to the power and possibility of fresh starts.
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