SOP 108.13: Animal Programs

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 1 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

I. Introduction and Summary:

The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) has established animal programs to
provide offenders with the education and training necessary to obtain employment and
increase their chances of successful return to the community; improve offender
behavior and increase the offenders’ sense of responsibility and care towards others;
and to increase animal adoptions and the number of therapy and service animals
available for individuals in the community who require their services. Animal
programs shall focus on socialization and basic training for the animals to increase
adoptability, or therapy and/or service training for the animals to provide assistance
for program clients.

II. Authority:

GDC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): 102.01 Media Relations, 108.12 Live
Works Projects, 109.01 Local Management of Volunteer Services, and 203.03 Incident
Reporting.

III. Definitions:

As used in this SOP, these terms are defined as follows .

A. Animal Shelter Detail - A work detail in which offenders will prepare and clean

indoor and outdoor animal areas as well as provide socialization for animals at
animal shelters run by a governmental entity that has entered into a legally binding
contract with GDC.

B. Contractor - Animal rescue organizations, animal shelters, humane societies, or

therapy/service organizations that enter into a legally binding contract with GDC
to provide an animal program.

C. Facility Animal Program Coordinator - The GDC staff member designated by

the facility to coordinate the program with the Contractor. This staff person shall
be consistently assigned to the program.

D. Foster/Rescue Dog Program - A program that allows offenders to assist a

Contractor in providing housing, basic training, and socialization to prepare
animals for adoption.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 2 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

E. Primary Handler - An offender who is chosen to assume leadership as the full
time animal trainer/handler for the animal assigned to him/her.

F. The State Repository of Information System ( SCRIBE) - GDC’s official

offender records management system.

G. Secondary Handler - An offender who will assume responsibility for the assigned

animal in the absence of the Primary Handler.

H. Service Dog Program - A program in which offenders train dogs for the specific

purpose of teaching the dogs to assist an individual who requires assistance due to
a variety of physical or emotional needs.

I. Statewide Animal Program Coordinator - The Career Technical and Higher

Education (CTHE) staff member assigned to oversee all animal programs
statewide.

IV. Statement of Policy and Applicable Procedures:

A. Establishment:

1. In conjunction with the Statewide Animal Program Coordinator, a
Warden/Superintendent may establish an offender animal program.

2. All animal programs/Contractors will be responsible for all food, supplies,
equipment and materials needed for the animals. All veterinary care will be
provided by the animal program/contractor. Additionally, the animal
program/contractor will be responsible for facilitating adoptions, when
applicable.

3. Animal programs will function at no cost to GDC.

4. Contractors operating therapy and/or service animal training programs shall be
accredited members or candidate members in good standing of Assistance
Dogs International or another nationally recognized organization with
expertise in training therapy and/or service dogs.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 3 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

a. Program Coordinators shall maintain active communication with the

Contractor for the duration of the program and ensure that all OffenderTrainers comply with the Contractor’s general requirements for trainers.

5. All animal programs/Contractors will comply with SOP 109.01 (Local
Management of Volunteer Services.)

6. Each facility will ensure there is an Animal Services Agreement in place with
the animal program/Contractor prior to receiving animals. The agreement shall
be coordinated through the Statewide Animal Program Coordinator and/or the
Director of CTHE.

B. Responsibilities:

1. The Contractor will oversee all offender animal programs, and:

a. Assist with the planning and implementation of programs and act as a

resource to program staff/volunteers.

b. Conduct regular facility visits to observe the program. While unannounced

visits may be necessary, when possible, coordinate visits, including animal
drop-offs with the Facility Animal Program Coordinator.

c. Contractors will be responsible for the acts and omissions of its

staff/volunteers while they are participating in or representing the animal
program.

d. Contractor staff will be screened per SOP 109.01 (Local Management of

Volunteer Services.)

e. The Contractor’s trainer, if applicable, will provide ongoing
communication to the Program Coordinator, which will include, but not be
limited to, review of Offender-Trainer progress and performance.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 4 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

2. The Warden/Superintendent will designate a Facility Animal Program

Coordinator responsible for day-to-day program operations at the facility,
who will:

a. Ensure compliance with GDC policy by facility employees, offenders and

visitors involved with the program, as well as Contractor staff/volunteers.

b. Coordinate with the Statewide Animal Program Coordinator or the

Director of CTHE, the program’s contractor(s) and the offender trainer(s)
on program implementation and operation, including program training
schedules, curriculum, and activities.

c. Maintain safety and security procedures governing offender participants

and program animals.

d. Develop and publish a schedule of all program activities.

e. Maintain up-to-date veterinary records for the program animals on-site.

f. Be active in program development, implementation, and daily activities.

B. Offender Application and Screening:

1. Offenders who wish to participate in an animal program will complete a

program application and applicable screening processes for the program (for
example: interviews, essays, surveys, etc.)

a. Therapy/Service programs require that an offender have a minimum

sentence of two (2) years remaining.

b. Therapy/Service programs require that an offender be incarcerated for one

(1) year prior to consideration.

2. Background Review:

a. Criminal History;

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 5 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

i. Offenders with convictions of a sexual nature, cruelty to animals and/or

egregious assaultive charges/histories are generally excluded from
acceptance into an animal program. Exceptions may be considered on
a case-by-case basis by the Warden/designee, Program Coordinator,
and Contractor.

b. Review of Institutional/Disciplinary Record.

3. Suggested Interview Board:

a. Warden/Superintendent or designee;

b. Facility Animal Program Coordinator;

c. Contractor Representative, if applicable; and

d. Counselor.

D. Offender Participants:

1. All offender program assignments will be voluntary.

2. Offenders accepted into the program are required to comply with the terms of

the facility’s contract with the Contractor and facility regulations.

3. All selected offenders must sign Attachment 1, (Animal Program Waiver of

Liability Form,) prior to any animal contact.

4. Prior to handling animals, offenders will participate in an orientation of

appropriate care of animals.

5. In the event of observed or alleged mistreatment of an animal, security protocol

and polices will be followed in accordance with GDC SOP 203.03 (Incident
Reporting.)

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 6 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

6. Offenders assigned to all animal programs will be scheduled for the appropriate

related OJT programs in SCRIBE. Where applicable, offenders will be
scheduled for the Animal Caretaker program in SCRIBE.

E. Volunteers:

1. Volunteers, including facility employees volunteering on-site with the program

while off the clock, will be screened per SOP 109.01 (Local Management of
Volunteer Services.)

2. All participating volunteers, including employees, must sign Attachment 1

(Animal Program Waiver of Liability Form,) prior to any animal contact.

F. Program Animals:

1. GDC will not be liable for any accidental injury or health related issues of the

animal while on facility grounds.

2. All animals brought by the animal program/contractor for the purposes of

participating in the animal program will be the property and responsibility of
the Contractor.

a. All animals must be in the care of the Contractor for an approved amount

of time prior to transfer to a facility.

3. Animals owned by staff must be approved in accordance with SOP 108.12

(Live Works Projects.)

4. Before entering the facility, each animal will be screened for:

a. Health and physical condition:

i. All animals must be current on all required vaccinations and have

documentation to show it.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 7 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

ii. Animals with special needs must be approved in advance by the Facility

Animal Program Coordinator.

b. Temperament, including issues that might cause injuries to employees,

program staff/volunteers, or offenders;

c. Ability to accept socialization and training; and

d. Adoptability after program completion.

3. Spaying and Neutering:

a. All Foster/Rescue Program animals shall be spayed or neutered a minimum

of one (1) week prior to placement in a facility.

b. Therapy/Service dogs will be at the discretion of the Contractor with

approval from the facility.

4. Transportation of Animals:

a. With the exception of emergency situations, animals will be transported as

needed in vehicles owned and operated by the Contractor.

i. Facility Animal Program Coordinator will facilitate transport.

ii. In the event of an emergency, the GDC facility is responsible for
carrying out the facility evacuation plan or process.

5. The Warden/Superintendent, Facility Animal Program Coordinator, and

Contractor may approve, deny, and/or remove any animal
entering/participating in the program.

6. Adoption/Final Placement:

a. The Contractor will have sole responsibility for the adoption or other final

placement of all animals in the program.

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 8 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

G. Sanitation: Offenders assigned to animal programs are responsible for the overall

cleanliness and sanitation of the animals’ living quarters and outside training/relief
areas.

1. Inside Facility Living Area:

a. Solid waste and urine will be removed/mopped up immediately and the

area cleaned and disinfected.

b. Animal living quarters will be inspected and cleaned by the assigned

offenders on a daily basis.

c. Animal food and water bowls will be cleaned a minimum of one time daily

by the assigned offenders.

2. Outside Training/Animal Relief Areas

a. Solid waste will be immediately picked up following appropriate

procedures and disposed of in an approved receptacle.

H. Emergency Procedures:

1. The Facility Animal Program Coordinator will ensure that a current emergency

contact list for the animals in the program is maintained at all times. It will
include:

a. Contact information for the Program Coordinator/designee, Contractor,

Contractor’s trainer, and program staff/volunteers.

2. Each program will develop written emergency procedures to address:

a. Any injury to any individual by an animal will be reported immediately to

the nearest staff member/supervisor.

i. Any offender injured while participating in an animal program will be

seen by on-site medical staff;

|GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Standard Operating Procedures|Col2|Col3|
|---|---|---|
|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|Policy Name:Animal Programs|
|Policy Number: 108.13|Effective Date: 01/09/2025|Page Number: 9 of 9|
|Authority:
Commissioner
|Originating Division:
Inmate Services Division
(Career Technical and Higher
Education)|Access Listing:
Level I: All Access|

ii. An Incident Report with witness statements will be completed; and

iii. In instances of an animal bite, the incident will be reviewed by the

Warden/Superintendent, Facility Animal Program Coordinator, and
Contractor to determine if the bite was an aggressive act which may
warrant removal from the program.

b. Health related emergencies involving an animal:

i. Immediately notify the Emergency Contact person for the Contractor;

ii. Notify the Warden/Superintendent; and

iii. Notify the Facility Animal Program Coordinator.

I. Press/Media:

1. The Contractor must have prior written approval from GDC Public Affairs for

any social media postings, publications, advertisements, media contact, or
public information that relates to an offender animal program, collectively
called “material”, excepting that material which deals solely with dog adoption
promotions. This approval shall be coordinated through the Statewide Animal
Program Coordinator and/or the Director of CTHE (Refer to Attachment 1 of
SOP 102.01, Media Relations, the Interview Request Form.)

V. Attachments:

Attachment 1: Animal Program Waiver of Liability Form

VI. Record Retention of Forms Relevant to this Policy:

Upon completion, by an offender, Attachment 1 shall be placed in the offender’s
institutional file and maintained according to the official retention schedule for that
file. Upon completion, by an employee or volunteer, the form will be retained at the
facility for five (5) years and then shall be destroyed.