Proudly Celebrating 25 Years of

Dedication Responsibility Empathy Commitment Love

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There's never a wrong time, or a wrong place, to build empathy

For over 25 years, Puppies Behind Bars has helped to build bridges and create common ground, through the kindness and sensitivity of hardworking dogs.

Our Mission

Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and first responders, facility dogs for police departments, and explosive-detection canines for law enforcement. Puppies enter prison at the age of 8 weeks and live with their incarcerated puppy-raisers for approximately 24 months. As the puppies mature into well-loved, well-behaved dogs, their raisers learn what it means to contribute to society rather than take from it.

Without you, we could not do what we do

Our dedicated volunteer sitters are an indispensable part of the PBB family, supporting the critical socialization skills our pups need to develop into working dogs. Are you ready for a challenging and rewarding experience?

Programs & Applications

Puppies Behind Bars trains extraordinary service, therapy, and explosive-detection canines and allows the love, healing, and safety they provide to improve the lives of hundreds of individuals each year. Our dogs bring hope and pride to their raisers and independence and security to those with whom they serve.