CCI hosts Pawsitive Change graduation

April 11, 2025

California Correctional Institution (CCI) celebrated seven incarcerated graduates, and their rescue dogs, from the Pawsitive Change program.

The April 8 graduation also means the rescue dogs will get a second chance at finding their forever homes.

The Pawsitive Change participants were tasked for several weeks with training, feeding, caring for, and preparing rescue dogs for adoption.

To help celebrate their accomplishments, custody and medical staff joined the ceremony. The staff said they’ve grown to know and enjoy these dogs.

Due to the incarcerated individual’s hard work and dedication, these canine companions now have a second chance at life with a new family.

Olmedo, a longtime mentor in the Pawsitive Change Program, also spoke at the graduation.

“From that very first glance, they decide we are worth their trust, their warmth, their wholehearted affection,” Olmedo said. “And even though we might stumble, lose our patience, or struggle to be the best version of ourselves, our dog never revises that initial impression. To them we remain forever exactly who they fell in love with, imperfect, yet perfect enough. That’s why this bond feels so effortless.”

Organizers congratulated the incarcerated participants and offered special thanks to Marley’s Mutts for establishing and growing this program at CCI.

Submitted by Lt. Thomas Harrison