McLOUD, Okla. – The physical and emotional scars are enough to make your stomach turn. “Fancy” is one of about 20 animals, rescued from an illegal dog fighting ring in Spencer, Oklahoma last February.
One by one, the abused dogs are brought here, to Mabel Bassett Correctional Center for some much needed TLC.
“We are really excited to get her into the program,” Heather Hernandez from Mutt Misfits said. “She’s the first in the program and we are hoping for the best for her.”
For the last two months, “Fancy” has been nurtured, loved and trained by inmates.
“It’s very rewarding to see their progress," inmate Carol Pierce said. “They go from scared to death to finally looking at you, it’s just like a miracle to them. It makes me emotional because they are so mistreated sometimes.”
The Guardian Angels train dozens of abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs every year.
“Especially the ones coming from the fight ring or being abused are leery of people anyway," Tye Shafer said. “Getting them use to us and other people is very rewarding.”
The Guardian Angels program has had a 100% success rate in rehabilitating these dogs. It’s also lead to remarkable transformations for the inmates.
“It shows the impact of training and compassion and gives these inmates the idea of what second chances can do, “Warden Aboutanaa Elhabti said.
Animals and inmates – second chances can unmask beauty in the brokenness.
