Thread by @WIRED

It’s #InternationalDogDay. So in honor of good dogs everywhere, this is a story about Pawsitive Change, a program that pairs inmates with rescue dogs. 1/ wired.trib.al/Sm64tzz
📸 Shayan Asgharnia

The program, where inmates train dogs so that they can be adopted by forever homes, launched in 2016 at the California City Correctional Facility and proved wildly successful. Photographer Shayan Asgharnia documented the training sessions in 2017. 2/ wired.trib.al/Sm64tzz

Inside the prison walls, Asgharnia witnessed a series of remarkable transformations. "The inmates want so badly to get into the program," he said. "It gives them a sense of purpose." 3/ wired.trib.al/Sm64tzz

Although most dogs come from high-kill shelters in the US, some have been rescued, via Marley's Mutts, from as far away as China and Asgharnia's native Iran. 4/ wired.trib.al/Sm64tzz

"When the dogs come in, they're like some of the inmates ... One was just terrified of everything—super skittish, wasn't able to cope with any kind of human ... With patient training and love, those inmates were able to turn the situation around." 5/ wired.trib.al/Sm64tzz

Pawsitive Change improves inmates’ interpersonal skills and also provides them with valuable career skills—many go on to work as professional dog trainers after their release. 6/ wired.trib.al/Sm64tzz

"The prison system is deeply flawed, but I'm thankful this program is giving people a second chance. Because nobody else is doing that," Asgharnia said. See more of his photos from Pawsitive Change here: 7/ wired.trib.al/Sm64tzz
#InternationalDogDay