SHELBY COUNTY, Ky. - Paws with Purpose dogs help people all over the Louisville area. The pups are well-known in the community, but not many realize who trains the dogs.

For a little over 15 years now, all of the Paws with Purpose dogs go through two years or more of training at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women. The dogs stay with inmates 24/7 Monday through Friday. On weekends, the dogs go with volunteers to get socialized outside the prison walls. 

During that time, the inmates form deep bonds with the dogs.

"It's almost like raising a child. I have children. You take care of them when they are sick. You get to work with them. You teach them everything you can. You help them become the dog that is going to go out there and make someone else's life wonderful," inmate dog trainer Anne Reardon said.

Trainers like Reardon teach the dogs everything they need to know. When the puppies graduate from training, they go on to either be facility dogs in places like a hospital or an assistance dog placed with someone who has a special need.

While it can be hard to see the little pups go, Reardon said it is rewarding knowing that they will be able to make someone's life better.

This program celebrated 15 years in October. Inmate Jennifer Hatcher has been training dogs for eight of those 15 years. She said this responsibility brought a lot of light to a dark time.

“This program is a blessing. It gives something to this prison, to people like me. It is teaching these dogs to be good workers to then go out and change people’s lives. There is nothing about this that isn’t wonderful," Hatcher said.

All of the Paws with Purpose dogs are trained at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women. People get placed with assistance dogs free of charge because the organization is funded by donations. Each dog also wears a vest, sponsored by a business. That business logo can be seen on the Paws with Purpose dogs while they are out in the community. Both Flynn and Halo, two of the dogs in the video, are in need of vest sponsors. Those interested in sponsoring a vest or donating, can get more information on how to do so through the Paws with Purpose website.