Cell Dogs, Inc.

Cell Dogs (Core) Training Program - BASIC OBEDIENCE

Cell Dogs, Inc. rescues dogs from local shelters and enrolls them in basic obedience training programs. These classes take place in correctional facilities and actively involve inmate program trainers. For each training cycle, we ensure all dogs are lovingly adopted or promoted to our advanced training program for specialized service dog training. Program locations include Orange County Probation and Orange County Sheriff's Department jail facilities. Our 14-week training program is facilitated by experienced professionals, and consists of two parts: Concepts in Dog Training; 4 weeks of lecture classes before teaming up with the shelter dog, and Practical Dog Training; 10 weeks of teaching their canine students good manners and basic obedience. Both parts offer participants soft skills (empathy, care, responsibility) and hard skills (animal behavior, dog training, and wellness) necessary for successful reentry. Our work rehabilitates juveniles and adults in correctional institutions through education, responsibility, therapeutic and psychological benefits, offering crucial life and marketable job skills. Our curriculum received endorsement as continuing education courses by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office in 2023. Upon completion of our program, our “program trainers” now receive a Certificate of Completion from Santiago Canyon College. This recognition enhances employment opportunities in the fields of dog training, grooming, doggie daycare and veterinary practice facilities upon their release. It also encourages higher education for the in-custody population. This distinction makes Cell Dogs the only organization of its kind in California. Cell Dogs has successfully rescued, trained and placed over 500 dogs into permanent homes. Beyond reducing euthanasia rates, saving costs at local shelters and at state correctional facilities by reducing recidivism rates, we transform program participants, providing them (and the dogs they train) a valuable second chance at leading productive and responsible lives. Dog adoption is also made easier as people looking for a shelter pup are not always equipped to handle an untrained or unsocialized animal.

Cell Dogs Training Program - ADVANCED TRAINING - SERVICE DOGS

Some dogs participating in our core training programs in local correctional facilities, prove to be quick studies in basic obedience. These canines express an eagerness to learn and do more and are promoted into our advanced training program with the goal of becoming service dogs. Our scope for this program includes training dogs for veterans and first responders struggling with PTSD as well as other individuals physically disabled individuals, dependent on a wheelchair. This training program typically requires an additional 12+ months once they graduate from our basic obedience program. The actual cost for a fully trained service dog is about $30,000 - we aim to place 2 dogs annually. We recognize that this cost is very high, and, thanks to generous donors supporting this program, adopters are only responsible for a $500 Placement Fee. Training service dogs is a long-term commitment. The entire process, which includes passing the Public Access Test can take 1.5 to 2 years. Properly trained service dogs greatly enhance the lives of our disabled clients and their families. Service dogs help individuals lead happier and more independent lives, enabling participation in more activities with newfound self-confidence and skills. Service dogs can work as long as a decade. Once a potential working partner is identified, and the dog is ready for placement (often after learning customized skills to address their future partner's needs), we embark on a two-week “Partnership Training Program”. When the dog and client are working successfully as a team, we guide them to pass the PAT (Public Access Test). We conduct annual assessments for our working service dog teams. For more information, please visit our dedicated webpage: https://www.celldogs.org/service-dogs/ What's new? Following changes announced in March 2021, Cell Dogs started a new training program to address the airline industry’s new regulations regarding the travel of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). We have developed a customized evaluation and training program for individuals who truly need their ESA/pet dog to accompany them in public. Please go to https://www.celldogs.org/service-dogs/emotional-support-animals/ for more information.

B.A.R.K. - Job Readiness Workshop - NEW in 2026!

Cell Dogs is currently developing a new Job Readiness Workshop named B.A.R.K. (Behavior modification, Attitude adjustment, Re-entry skills, and Knowledge). This 4-week workshop aims to set up participants for successful employment in the pet industry by exploring their own behaviors, personalities, as well as the specific skills needed and opportunities that exist in the field. In addition, the workshop assists with practical planning for the future such as completing resumes and practicing interview skills. Each weekly session is assisted by the presence of a service dog to help participants open up as well as for purposes of demonstration. Through the 4-week B.A R.K. program participants will gain practical skills to become a competitive and informed candidate through improved emotional regulation and communications skills as well as increased understanding of job opportunities in the pet industry and how to pursue them. Cell Dogs will work to establish relationships with potential employers in Orange County to guide youth toward community employment opportunities. Participants will graduate with practical employment tools such as completed resumes, interview practice, and direct connections to community employers in the pet care field. This added component strengthens pathways to sustainable employment, one of the most effective strategies for reducing recidivism among justice-involved youth. The B.A.R.K. workshop is ideally designed for those nearing the end of their sentences with pathways towards workforce-reentry.

Concepts in Dog Training Foster Program - NEW!

This program is currently in development as an extension of Cell Dogs' CORE program as explained above. The program aims to include youth nearing the end of their sentences at Orange County Probation. The 4-week program will allow participants to complete the curriculum of the "Concepts in Dog Training" course (accredited as a continued education course by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office since 2023) and gain their certificates issued by Santiago Canyon College. As participants work through the content covering basic animal behavior and canine care, they will also have the opportunity to work with dogs during weeks 2-4. This will allow them to see how these concepts can be applied in real life situations, and offer them a chance to grow through education and demonstrate responsibility, teamwork and empathy, while gaining practical skills that can lead to careers in the pet industry as an opportunity post custody. In addition, the presence of the dogs may bring therapeutic and psychological benefits for both program participants and their supervisors. Program dogs are rescued from local sheltered, and placed into this program to allow them to decompress from a stressful shelter environment before moving into our core programming where the dogs are offered basic obedience training before being adopted by members of the community.