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Proudly Celebrating 25 Years of

Dedication Responsibility Empathy Commitment Love

Service Dogs For Veterans, First Responders, and Police

There's never a wrong time, or a wrong place, to build empathy

For over 25 years, Puppies Behind Bars has helped to build bridges and create common ground, through the kindness and sensitivity of hardworking dogs.

Our Mission

Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and first responders, facility dogs for police departments, and explosive-detection canines for law enforcement. Puppies enter prison at the age of 8 weeks and live with their incarcerated puppy-raisers for approximately 24 months. As the puppies mature into well-loved, well-behaved dogs, their raisers learn what it means to contribute to society rather than take from it.

Without you, we could not do what we do

Our dedicated volunteer sitters are an indispensable part of the PBB family, supporting the critical socialization skills our pups need to develop into working dogs. Are you ready for a challenging and rewarding experience?

Programs & Applications

Puppies Behind Bars trains extraordinary service, therapy, and explosive-detection canines and allows the love, healing, and safety they provide to improve the lives of hundreds of individuals each year. Our dogs bring hope and pride to their raisers and independence and security to those with whom they serve.

Make a Donation

Puppies Behind Bars is a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, tax I.D. #13-3969389, and donations are tax-exempt to the extent allowed by law.

You may make a one-time donation in any amount you wish, or sign up for recurring gifts on a schedule that works for you.

For gifts in honor or in memory of someone:

If your donation is made in someone’s memory or honor, we will send a card to the designated recipient(s) acknowledging your generous donation on their behalf.

Please include the recipient’s mailing address on the online form. You can view an example of one of our cards here.

Prefer to donate a different way?

PBB offers many ways for you support our mission, including by phone and mail, and with memorial and matching gifts.

Click here to find one that works for you!

NO WAIT LIST!

Team Training for Veterans, First Responders, Police & Fire Departments & University Campus Police

Puppies Behind Bars has openings in our upcoming 2024 classes, held in upstate NY. All expenses paid.

  • May 20th – June 3rd
  • July 15th – July 29th


What better time to serve yourself, your department or your community, than now? Click below to apply: