According to the trainer and the women in it, the program is a huge success. Not only are they saving animals who might otherwise be put to sleep, the women say it is changing their lives.

This is Pam Elliott's tenth year in Montana Women's Prison, and it's her third in the program. Right now she's working with Alibi, who will become a service dog. The women say they feel lucky they get this chance while in prison. "The last three have been the best as far as personal growth, I am no longer the selfish person I used to be that got me here." says Eliott.

Many of the dogs are rescued from animal shelters. When the shelter has a dog that may be euthanized, they contact the program and if there's room the dogs get the chance to the prison and into the program. "It makes us feel good that we're able to save the dogs, like I said not all of them can rehabilitated. We've got a couple right now we're working, and hopefully we can work with them and get them through it and get them a forever home." says instructor Deb Bouwkamp.

Bouwkamp says the women don't just get to play with the dogs, it's a lot of work; they have to take care of them every day. "It's an 8 hour a day job, along with working." says Bouwkamp. "I feel that it helps me. It's not just about me, it's about the dogs and helping the dogs." says inmate Lucinda Leon.

During the 30 day obedience training the dogs learn basic commands like "sit" and "stay". But the women learn responsibility, patience and how to communicate. "There are just so many things that aren't tangible that have changed within me. I'm not the same person, because of this program." Says Elliot.

And at the end of the training the dogs who may otherwise have been euthanized get adopted out to a new home; the women get a feeling of accomplishment they'll take with them when they leave prison. A second chance, for both.

For more information on adopting one of the dogs, click here.