Serco and Assistance Dogs Australia to launch new rehabilitation program

Serco and Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) are delighted to announce our partnership through the new Clarence Assistance Pups (CAP) program. Building on the success of the Pups in Prison scheme at Southern Queensland Correctional Facility (SQCC), the program aims to help reduce reoffending rates and boost community safety, while also supporting ADA in training dogs for people with post-traumatic stress disorder, physical disability and autism.  

The CAP program builds on the success of animal therapy within correctional environments by offering inmates the opportunity to take on full-time employment as puppy carers under the guidance of professional ADA dog trainers. This initiative supports the training of Assistance Dogs that are in high demand in the community, while also equipping inmates with essential skills and fostering a sense of community contribution. Inmates will also have the opportunity to continue working with ADA post release, further supporting their successful reintegration back into the community. 

Serco Justice & Immigration Managing Director, Michael Strickland said our partnership with ADA demonstrates Serco's commitment to find innovative solutions to support the NSW Government’s rehabilitation and reintegration goals.  

“We are proud to continue our partnership with ADA, which has been proven to make a significant positive change in the overall well-being of the inmates involved in training the puppies. This is something we take great pride in,” said Mr Strickland. 

"Through the Clarence Assistance Pups program, we are facilitating vital skills development and creating rehabilitation opportunities, while also delivering on our commitment to give back to community and create positive impact.’ 

ADA’s CEO Tim Taylor says “We’re proud to be continuing our partnership with Serco and be part of a program that supports the wider community. The human-animal bond is a powerful tool and with the success of our previous Pups in Prison program we didn’t hesitate to develop and grow it.

We’re also facing a nation-wide shortage of volunteers, struggling to find people to raise these future Assistance Dogs. Programs like this ensure we can continue to train Assistance Dogs and place these dogs with Australians with disability.”   

The initial program will see four puppies divide their training between the centre and volunteer carers in the Clarence Valley community. This ensures that the puppies are socialised in a variety of settings and environments to support the successful completion of their training which takes approximately two years. This hands-on program combined with community interaction is designed to instil a sense of purpose and responsibility, contributing positively to the inmates' rehabilitation process. 

The CAP program aims to build on the proven success from the SQCC program, which saw over 40 pups trained over a decade, aiding both community members in need and supporting the reintegration journey of those in our care. 

Last week, the program welcomed its first batch of puppies, with Brooklyn and Bambi, two 12-week-old Golden Retrievers, arriving at the centre to commence their training. 

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