New Zealand has two very unfortunate statistics when it comes to incarceration.

Hundreds of human beings imprisoned, in a system which offers little in the way of emotional rehabilitation.
And hundreds of dogs, condemned to die in animal shelters without the human companionship they need.

In some countries, a radical new approach to teaching prisoners the values of kindness, caring, compassion and responsibility has brought these two kinds of inmates together - with surprising and uplifting results. People who have come to 'rock bottom', often thanks to an upbringing of hard knocks and little care, have learned to become dedicated 'parents' to dogs, whose unconditional love and loyalty have huge rehabilitative properties.

Unlike other forms of counseling or treatment, this simple bond can make a huge difference. Animal companions can be a calming influence, and are even used in psychiatric hospitals to 'break through' to patients who cannot be reached by human doctors. In prisons, it's the same. Look at this example from the USA -http://www.doc.wa.gov/facilities/prison/animaltrainingprograms.asp

We, the undersigned, believe it's high time that New Zealand's prison system reaches out and adopts a similar program for our own incarcerated - both dogs and humans. Compassion works both ways, and by teaching responsibility, care and respect, there is so much to be gained and absolutely nothing to lose in trying what has proven so successful elsewhere.

Sign this petition to help bring this ground-breaking international idea - and a new path back to society - to a Kiwi prison system desperately in need of new directions and hope.