Brian Andrews, a retired police officer with the PAPD and the NYPD who responded to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and is coping with injuries and depression from being shot in the line of duty, is one of the officers and veterans helped by Puppies behind Bars.
Puppies behind Bars puts Labrador Retriever puppies into prisons at the age of 8 weeks where they are trained as service dogs for veterans, police officers and firefighters. Prisoners live with the dogs, training them in 82 standard commands (i.e., opening doors) and 10 PTSD-specific commands. When the dog is trained (usually around the time it turns 2), it is matched with its new owner, who then trains with the dog, reports PoliceOne.com.
