Recently, I was looking into non-profit organizations that pair shelter animals with inmates. With research, I came across a program called FORWARD. This stands for Felines and Offenders Rehabilitation with Affection, Reformation, and Dedication. The goal of this organization is to give felines more freedom while they live in the Pendleton Correctional Facility and provide a loving and nurturing animal for the prisoners.

Studies with these type of programs definelty come out with positive results. The cats are a constant in the livens of the inmates that allows them to take their minds off of the current situation they are in. The pets can also help them find their love and compassion again by caring for something other than just theirselves.

FORWARD gives opportunity for adoption, as well. The prisoner’s families have the option to adopt the cat that their incarcerated loved one cared for during the program. This gives them a sort of connection of family and the person being present sense they can’t see them as often and spend time with them freely. The program can represent progress made by the inmates to both their families and the facility. The prison guards and staff also have the opportunity to adopt one of the felines if they fall in love with them while they are there.

“I’ve had offenders tell me when they got an animal, it was the first time they can remember they were allowing themselves to care about something, to love something. That’s a pretty powerful statement,” Maleah Stringer from the Animal Protection League relays the impacts FORWARD visibly has on those involved.

Programs like these are so important. It is so much harder for someone to reform when they don’t have the right mindset. It is extremely difficult to get in this head space when someone doesn’t feel loved or worth someone’s time. Sometimes all it takes is a furry friend to reintroduce affection and care into someone’s life. If you are driving and someone flags you down and says they’re lost, you’d give them directions, right? Well being lost in life isn’t much different. In order to find your way, you need to be put on the right path and given the resources to do so.

I think there would be positive results if there was a program similar to this that placed people that have escaped from abusive situations with animals from abusive situations. This way they can help each other heal and grow.