Post date: Dec 18, 2013 4:33:10 PM

"Paws in Prison" Program

Martha Meacham, Ph.D. CPDT, who is studying to be a TTouch Practitioner has been sharing The Tellington TTouch with the Lockhart, Texas "Paws in Prison" program where prison inmates train shelter dogs. A participant in the program wrote to Martha how TTouch enhances their work with rescued dogs: "Let me begin with my own dog, Brooks. I began with the ear and mouth TTouches. Brooks had a few issues: he rolled on his back even when someone looked at him much less talked to him. With the TTouch I noticed him looking at me more and paying attention more.

"This made it easier for him to learn commands. Then I found that the 'paw TTouch' was so extremely helpful that Brooks became confident. He stayed on all fours for polite petting. Brooks was already friendly, but maybe too friendly.

"Now, I believe he comes to the edge of my bed and looks at me so that I'll TTouch him. I know it sounds crazy, but I can say 'Ready for therapy?' and he knows.

"The next dog with lots of fear issues was Flower. She has been here for so long. She had been adopted and then returned. Flower won't go under anything for any reason -- even to fetch her favorite ball. She is scared of all people in street clothes (other than our blue uniforms). She is terrified of overturned chairs. She is dog-aggressive if they get near her place, her toys, her ball, her food. She does not even allow her caretakers to pet other dogs. She snaps at them.

"So I let her handlers read the areas of the book and asked if we could track her work. So we began sessions and OMG Flower sat and took a treat from a visitor. Now she is going up to all the people wearing regular clothes. She slips up to them AND even kisses them. Yes, ma'am kisses! Flower is a work in progress and we are hoping so to be able to show her to visiting people looking to adopt. Flower is playing with Brooks and coming into our room; sharing her ball and, oh wow, her place.

"We began with Clouded Leopard TTouches and then she let us do ear and mouth TTouches and Lick of the Cow's Tongue TTouch. What helped her most was belly lifts and TTouch on her paws.

"Thank you, Martha, for helping us!" name withheld

A representative of Paws in Prison told Martha that "Flower has been adopted: Flower went to her new forever home (hopefully) this week."

Learn more about the dogs ready for adoption at Paws in Prison.

Learn more about Martha Meacham, Ph.D. CPDT Owner/Trainer at Paws-n-Praise or call (512) 560-9025.