Twenty-three men serving time at Soledad Prison are helping save dogs from being euthanized through a special training program called TAILS, which stands for Transforming Animals and Individuals’ Lives.”It changed me, brought that kid out of me again,” said TAILS program lead educator Raymond Avila.Avila, who served 20 years behind bars, says joining the program helped him find a sense of purpose.Since his release a year ago, he’s returned to volunteer.”A lot of us grew up in here, so to be responsible for something else, a living being, they count on you for food, water, shelter,” Avila said. “That has taught me just to be a better person, communicate better.”TAILS was launched on Christmas Day in 2023 by two women working at the prison who saw a need to train rescue dogs after the prison’s service dog program was shut down.This volunteer-based program partners with South County Animal Rescue, bringing in all kinds of dogs, small and big. “This is like a kid, 24/7, they’re responsible for that animal, so they learn a lot about themselves, the patience, everything that’s needed,” correctional counselor and TAILS co-founder Shannon Dunaven said.” So seeing them kind of transform in that way, it’s a complete difference.”So far, 33 dogs have gone through the program and been adopted into homes across the South County.These men not only teach the dogs different skills, but also help prepare them for adoption.Some even decorated their personal spaces with photos and built hand-crafted dog houses.For Ryan Renz, the experience has taught him that dogs deserve more than just commands. They deserve compassion, care, and a second chance.”It put a mirror in my face about how I was viewing the world and how to go about interacting with animals and people,” Renz said. “I didn’t really feel like I had a purpose, especially after getting a life term in prison. I felt kind of hopeless. Right now, I have a direction.” TAILS is working toward becoming a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and hopes to expand the program into a full rescue academy with its property. If you would like to support their mission or want more information, please email Shannon Dunaven at Shannon.dunaven@cdcr.ca.gov and Jana Summers at Tailsest.22@gmail.com.
Twenty-three men serving time at Soledad Prison are helping save dogs from being euthanized through a special training program called TAILS, which stands for Transforming Animals and Individuals’ Lives.
“It changed me, brought that kid out of me again,” said TAILS program lead educator Raymond Avila.
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Avila, who served 20 years behind bars, says joining the program helped him find a sense of purpose.
Since his release a year ago, he’s returned to volunteer.
“A lot of us grew up in here, so to be responsible for something else, a living being, they count on you for food, water, shelter,” Avila said. “That has taught me just to be a better person, communicate better.”
TAILS was launched on Christmas Day in 2023 by two women working at the prison who saw a need to train rescue dogs after the prison’s service dog program was shut down.
This volunteer-based program partners with South County Animal Rescue, bringing in all kinds of dogs, small and big.
“This is like a kid, 24/7, they’re responsible for that animal, so they learn a lot about themselves, the patience, everything that’s needed,” correctional counselor and TAILS co-founder Shannon Dunaven said.” So seeing them kind of transform in that way, it’s a complete difference.”
So far, 33 dogs have gone through the program and been adopted into homes across the South County.
These men not only teach the dogs different skills, but also help prepare them for adoption.
Some even decorated their personal spaces with photos and built hand-crafted dog houses.
For Ryan Renz, the experience has taught him that dogs deserve more than just commands. They deserve compassion, care, and a second chance.
“It put a mirror in my face about how I was viewing the world and how to go about interacting with animals and people,” Renz said. “I didn’t really feel like I had a purpose, especially after getting a life term in prison. I felt kind of hopeless. Right now, I have a direction.”
TAILS is working toward becoming a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit and hopes to expand the program into a full rescue academy with its property.
If you would like to support their mission or want more information, please email Shannon Dunaven at Shannon.dunaven@cdcr.ca.gov and Jana Summers at Tailsest.22@gmail.com.
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