TRAINING

At Wiley’s Wish Rescue, we believe that every dog deserves a second chance, especially those who have suffered from abandonment, abuse, or neglect. Many of the dogs that come to us carry painful histories, marked by trauma and fear. Whether they were abandoned on the streets, mistreated by previous owners, or simply given up on, these dogs are often left with emotional scars that make it difficult for them to trust humans or live in a loving environment. But with the care, love, and support of our dedicated team, each dog is given the opportunity to heal and find their forever home.

The Paws of Hope program pairs our rescued dogs with prison residents who, too, have often had troubled pasts and experienced significant hardship. Many of the participants in this program have struggled with their own traumas, committed crimes, or endured difficult circumstances. Through Paws of Hope, they are given a chance for redemption by working with the dogs, building trust, and learning essential training skills.

What makes this program so special is the reciprocal healing that takes place. Just as the dogs learn to trust again, to bond with their human partners, and to build confidence, the prison residents also find healing through the act of caring for and training the dogs. For many of the participants, this program offers them a way to reconnect with empathy and responsibility, helping them rediscover their capacity for love and care. The bond that forms between these dogs and the residents is profound—both the animals and the humans experience growth, resilience, and transformation. It's a reminder that, no matter the scars we carry, healing is possible when given the right support, love, and a chance to do something meaningful for others.

We are proud to be a part of this powerful journey of healing. The Paws of Hope initiative is not just about saving dogs; it's about saving people, too. By giving dogs and residents the opportunity to heal together, we create a cycle of compassion and redemption that transforms lives.

The program was developed in an effort to gift second chances to prison residents and rescue dogs alike. With specialized curriculum, certifications and degrees, real-world experience and skillsets are obtained.

As of 2025, our one-of-a-kind program operates in three California state prisons with over 170 residents and over 80 dogs participating. Since its inception, over 350 dogs have graduated from the training program and found their forever homes. In the year 2025 alone, over 350 dogs are on track to graduate with AKC (American Kennel Club)/CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certifications.

The program is approximately three months in length, whereby residents and dogs work daily with set agendas, routines, training sequences - working towards their AKC (American Kennel Club) certifications (various levels), service dog qualifications or advanced training. Teams of residents (handlers) work together as a team to provide consistent training, enrichment and care for the rescued dogs. At the end of the program, handlers and dogs are tested by our AKC (American Kennel Club) certified trainers and behaviorists validating the hard work it took to conquer the program's curriculum.

The rescued dogs we have chosen to be enrolled all graduate with AKC (American Kennel Club)/CGC (Canine Good Citizen) certifications. This means that the dogs are tested on and pass practical, functional behaviors that every dog should have to be welcomed in the community.

Our Paws of Hope program helps build trust and confidence in our handlers and our dogs. Our program provides a sense of structure and consistency, with set expectations for the handler and dog to meet. The results of he program are transformative. The program ensures our dogs are well-behaved, reducing the likelihood of behavioral issues, making it easier to integrate into daily life and a forever home. The program also provides a sense of purpose, responsibility, and accomplishment and can also reduce recidivism rates by giving residents a positive outlet, increasing their chances of successful reintegration into society.

For questions about the Paws of Hope initiative, or press-related inquiries, email info@wileyswish.com or kc@wileyswish.com.