Four dogs from the Chattooga County Animal Shelter are getting a new opportunity to prepare for permanent homes through a partnership with Hays State Prison.

The Friends of Chattooga County Animal Shelter announced that Addi, Rags, Sadie and Spud have been accepted into the Second Chance Program at Hays State Prison.

The program pairs selected shelter dogs with participants at the prison, giving the animals additional training, structure and socialization outside of the shelter environment.

This is not the first group of local shelter dogs to benefit from the partnership. Earlier this year, Chattooga County Animal Control Director Charlie Long said dogs participating in the Hays program work on basic commands and house training while receiving additional socialization. The time away from the shelter also allows the animals to decompress, build confidence and develop skills that can help prepare them for adoption.

Long previously said the partnership has already resulted in dogs finding permanent homes, including through connections made with Hays State Prison employees and during family visitation events.

The program also fits into a larger Georgia Department of Corrections effort involving shelter and rescue dogs. GDC has operated canine programs at correctional facilities that pair dogs with offenders or detainees for training while providing participants with opportunities to learn animal-care and job skills.

Friends of Chattooga County Animal Shelter thanked Hays State Prison for continuing the local program, saying Addi, Rags, Sadie and Spud will receive training, structure, socialization and plenty of attention as they prepare for their future homes.

For the four shelter dogs, their acceptance into the program represents another step toward the ultimate goal — finding permanent families.

Sources: Friends of Chattooga County Animal Shelter; previous WZQZ/ChattoogaInfo reporting; Georgia Department of Corrections.