5 Working Dogs of NYC from the New Book City of Dogs
3. The Dogs of the PAWS for Purpose Program and the Men of The George R. Vierno Center
Photograph by Traer Scott
PAWS for Purpose is a program that matches eight dogs with groups of inmates at Rikers Correctional Facility for an eight week residency during which the inmates provide 24/7 care for the dogs with assistance from a professional trainer. After graduating from the program the dogs go on to become assistance dogs, detection dogs, or pets. Rikers Corrections Officer Fitzpatrick says that the dogs help “everyone to shed their tough exteriors, let down their guard” and “show love and compassion in a place that is normally absent of such feelings.” The program benefits both the inmates and the dogs, who learn from and grow with each other during their short time together.
Nicole Saraniero is the Insider-in-Chief at Untapped New York, leading our Untapped New York Insiders membership program. Nicole graduated from Hofstra University with a Bachelor of Science in Television/Film Production. Through her work in those fields, specifically working at a film location agency on Long Island’s Gold Coast, and her travels through Europe while studying abroad, she discovered a love for architecture and uncovering the hidden histories of places. She recently earned a Certificate in Historic Preservation Studies from NYU's School of Professional Studies.