LATIMER COUNTY, Okla. — The Latimer County jail has a new employee, a therapy dog.
There are about 30 inmates serving time in the Latimer County jail and walking the halls is Jailbird.
But she’s not doing time, she is making an impact on the inmates’ lives as the detention center’s therapy dog.
“We deal with a lot of mental health in county jails and therapy dogs have shown to be successful in most areas so we thought bringing that into the jail would help with mental health and attitude,” Latimer County Sheriff Adam Woodruff said.
Woodruff said he heard about jail therapy dogs at a sheriff’s conference last year and someone donated Jailbird to the center in July.
Woodruff said since the addition of their four-legged friend, he has seen a positive change.
“We have seen less mental health episodes and less fights. It gives the inmates some pride, having a pet of their own while they are in here,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff said they are looking to send her to some training, but for now they are letting her get acclimated to her new home.
“You know dogs have an ability to tell when someone is in stress and so when she feels it she will go in the cells and someone is having a bad day, she will lay with them and let them pet her. It really does help morale around here,” Woodruff said.
Gary Maxwell is currently serving a sentence.
“It gives inmates who want to the chance to do right and you know helps in sobriety and gives a sense of responsibility, something they have strayed away from,” Maxwell said.
He said he has formed a close bond with Jailbird.
“I spend a lot of time with this dog and I have been going through a rough time. I lost my dad and my brother is real sick in the hospital. This dog can sense that and she doesn’t let me get down. When I am feeling bad she will cuddle up to me, lick me and just aggravate me to where I will smile,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell said she has helped so many other inmates too.
“Like our long term inmates who have been here for a while, the only time you really see them smile is when the dog goes back there. So she has been a really good help,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell said they just clicked and Jailbird gives him a sense of purpose.
“That was something I had fallen out of in the fast life that I lived so I am just thankful for her and it is awesome,” Maxwell said.
Woodruff said in addition to Jailbird’s help, the jail offers various classes for inmates to encourage rehabilitation.
They are looking to offer more in 2025.
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