Nearly 30 years ago, when Puppies Behind Bars was still an unnamed dream, its founder, Gloria Gilbert Stoga, could not have imagined the impact it would have across America. Or that it would pivot again and again in response to seismic changes in the world—terrorist attacks, wars, pandemic—all while remaining true to its core principles.

Through all the changes, the guiding philosophy of Puppies Behind Bars has been that it is all about the dogs.  The women and men who are incarcerated have been asked to put puppies at the center of their lives and commit to producing the best working dogs in the country.  Year after year, dog after dog, they have delivered.

Puppies Behind Bars is ultimately about dogs and people.  It’s a small organization — the dedicated staff numbers less than fifteen — but it punches above its weight because of the wide variety of stakeholders who are critical to success. To the staff and the incarcerated individuals who train the dogs, add PBB’s volunteers, donors, veterinarians, police and military professionals, veterans, friends who go to amazing lengths when problems need to be solved, corrections department officials and officers, and board members.