This is a story about how 12 carefully selected inmates at Walla Walla Prison have taken on the task of training 6 young dogs from the Blue Mountain Humane Society.

When the program began,the trainers said the young dogs were often anxious and hyper, unable to even walk controllably on a leash. On Friday, their trainers showed how far they have come in a few short weeks; they sat, heeled, rolled over and stayed on command; they even had a few tricks to share.

The inmates have also noted an improvement in their own outlook and behavior. Gus Turner, the primary trainer of a rottweiler-German shepherd mix named Sadie, explains, "It changes the whole atmosphere to wake up in the morning and have a dog jumping on you."