Angola's Dog Program: What's The Deal?

Angola, the country's largest maximum-security prison, has a dog program where prisoners train service dogs for veterans. The program, called PAWS (Prisoners Assisting Warriors Service), pairs inmates with rescue dogs, and together they train them to be service animals for veterans dealing with PTSD and other mental and physical challenges. The dogs are taught to help veterans with day-to-day activities such as taking medication and navigating crowded rooms. In addition to this, dogs at Angola also have other roles, including tracking escaped prisoners, sniffing for narcotics, and providing support to the infirm and elderly.

Angola's requirements for pet dogs

Angola is a pet-friendly country, and you can bring your dog there, but there are specific requirements that must be met. Here is a detailed guide on the requirements for travelling with and owning a pet dog in Angola:

Microchipping and Identification:

While not a mandatory requirement, it is highly recommended that your dog be microchipped with a 15-digit microchip. This serves as a means of identification should your dog get lost or become separated from you during travel or after arriving in Angola. The microchip should be implanted by a qualified veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse, and you should receive documentation regarding the manufacturer and instructions for registering your dog's information.

If your dog is not microchipped, ensure they are wearing tags with identification and your contact information.

Vaccinations:

All dogs entering Angola must be vaccinated for rabies between 4 months and 12 months prior to entry. This means the vaccination should be administered no less than 30 days and no more than 11 months before arriving in the country. The rabies vaccination must be valid and up to date.

Additionally, it is recommended that dogs be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. These vaccinations are important for your dog's health and should be updated annually or as necessary.

Health Certificate:

A licensed veterinarian must issue a health certificate for your dog, confirming that they are free from infectious diseases and are in good health. This certificate should be obtained within 72 hours of departure and is typically valid for 10 days. It must be issued not more than 14-21 days before travel and endorsed by the governing authority responsible for the import and export of live animals in your country of origin.

Import Permit:

An import permit is required for all pets entering Angola and must be obtained from the veterinarian authorities of Angola. The import permit is typically valid for 30 days.

Entry into Angola:

All live animals, including dogs, must enter Angola as air cargo through LAD International Airport in Luanda. You will need an IATA-compliant pet crate to transport your dog.

Upon arrival, your dog must be free of any evidence of disease communicable to humans. If your dog is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Local Registration:

While Angola does not have a widespread system of pet licensing, it is important to register your dog with a local veterinarian for continued healthcare. You can find a veterinarian through recommendations from other expats or pet owners or by contacting local animal welfare organizations.

Additionally, keep your dog's documentation updated and easily accessible, as local authorities may require it.

The Louisiana State Penitentiary's dog program

The Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola is America's largest maximum-security prison. Before it became a prison, Angola was a plantation. Its 18,000 acres are currently worked by about 5,400 inmates, many of whom are serving life sentences. Dogs have always been an integral part of prison life at Angola, with a long history of working alongside prison officers.

Working Dogs

There are currently 55 dogs at Angola, either on active duty or in training. Dogs patrol the prison's borders, sniff for narcotics, search for escapees, and provide support to the infirm and elderly. Gallia, a Belgian Malinois, is a trained narcotics and tracking dog, and is also used for criminal apprehension. Bailey, a German short-haired pointer, is being trained as a narcotics dog. The time it takes to train a dog for narcotics detection varies from as little as a month to eight weeks of daily training for certification.

Breeding Program

In the past, the prison experimented with breeding prison security dogs and wolves to create a fiercer security dog. The program was started by former warden Burl Cain, who thought it would produce a superior dog that would prevent prisoners from escaping. However, the experiment failed, as wolves are pack animals and are very shy around people.

PAWS Program

In addition to the working dogs, Angola also has a program called PAWS (Prisoners Assisting Warriors Service), where inmates train rescue dogs to be service animals for veterans. The dogs help veterans deal with day-to-day activities like taking medication or navigating crowded rooms and handle the effects of PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, or other physical injuries. The PAWS program operates solely on donations and volunteer work, with the support of the corrections department, but no state funding.

Impact

The dog programs at Angola have had a positive impact on both the inmates and the wider community. Inmates involved in the PAWS program report feeling a sense of responsibility and self-worth, and it provides them with a positive way to spend their time in prison. Additionally, the trained dogs assist veterans in dealing with the challenges of daily life and provide them with comfort and support.

The PAWS program for veterans

The PAWS program, or Prisoners Assisting Warrior Service, is a unique initiative that connects inmates, rescue dogs, and veterans. The program is based at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, America's largest maximum-security prison. PAWS is a mutually beneficial initiative that helps inmates, dogs, and veterans alike.

The Inmates

Inmates who participate in the PAWS program are given a sense of purpose and responsibility. They are tasked with training rescue dogs to become service animals for veterans, which requires dedication and commitment. This program allows them to develop new skills and build a positive routine while serving their sentences.

The Dogs

The dogs involved in the PAWS program are sourced from the Department of Corrections PenPals program, a shelter for rescued animals at the Dixon Correctional Center in Jackson. By participating in the program, these dogs receive a second chance at life. They are trained to become service animals, which prepares them to assist individuals with physical and mental health challenges.

The Veterans

The primary goal of the PAWS program is to support veterans, particularly those struggling with the aftermath of combat and war-related injuries. The trained service dogs are matched with veterans who need assistance with daily activities and managing the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, and physical injuries. The dogs are trained to perform specific tasks tailored to the individual needs of each veteran. For example, a dog may be trained to wake a veteran from a nightmare, provide brace support when standing up, or intervene during moments of anxiety.

The PAWS program is a powerful initiative that transforms lives and creates meaningful connections between inmates, dogs, and veterans. It provides inmates with a sense of purpose, gives rescued dogs a new lease on life, and offers veterans the support and companionship they need to navigate the challenges of daily life.

Bringing a dog to Angola

Vaccinations

Firstly, it is important to ensure your dog is vaccinated against rabies. Angola requires that dogs over three months old have a valid rabies vaccination, administered between 30 days and 12 months before entering the country.

It is also recommended that dogs are vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parovirus and Parainfluenza.

Microchipping

Angola does not require that your dog has a microchip, but it is highly recommended as a means of identification should your dog be lost or separated from you. The microchip should be ISO 11784/11785 compliant and implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital or trained nurse. You should receive documentation regarding the manufacturer and instructions on how to register your dog's information in the manufacturer database.

If your dog does not have a microchip, ensure they are wearing a tag with identification and your contact information.

Health Certificate

A health certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian, is required for your dog to enter Angola. This certificate must be issued no more than 14-21 days before travel and endorsed by the governing authority responsible for the import and export of live animals in your country. The certificate confirms that your dog is free from infectious diseases.

Import Permit

An import permit, issued by the veterinarian authorities of Angola, is required for your dog to enter the country.

Entering Angola

All live animals must enter Angola as air cargo to LAD International Airport in Luanda. You will need an IATA-compliant pet crate to transport your dog.

Upon arrival, your dog must be free of any evidence of disease communicable to humans. If your dog is not in good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Other Considerations

While Angola does not publish a list of banned breeds, it is important to check for any restrictions on certain breeds or types of dogs. Generally, exotic animals and certain breeds considered aggressive may be banned from entering the country. It is also worth noting that pet ownership may not be as common in Angola as in other countries, and the local infrastructure for pets may differ.

Angola's dog-related programs

Angola, the country's largest maximum-security prison, has various dog-related programs. One of them is the PAWS program, which stands for Prisoners Assisting Warrior Service. In this program, inmates train rescue dogs to be service animals for veterans dealing with PTSD and other mental and physical challenges. The dogs are trained to help veterans with day-to-day activities such as taking medication or navigating crowded rooms. The PAWS program is run by Maj. Keavin Tanner, also known as the prison's "dog whisperer". He works with the dogs and inmates at least once a week, building on the progress made by the trainers, who live with their dogs.

Another dog-related program in Angola is the short-lived experiment of using wolf hybrids as guard dogs. The program was started by former warden Burl Cain, who thought that breeding prison security dogs with wolves would produce superior dogs that would prevent prisoners from escaping. However, the experiment failed, as wolves are pack animals that are typically shy around people.

In addition to these formal programs, Angola allows a few prisoners to have pets. In 2017, one of these pets had pups, and one puppy was raised by Malcolm Alexander, an inmate who spent nearly 38 years in Angola for a crime he did not commit. Alexander named the puppy "Inn", short for "Innocent", reflecting his own innocence in the crime he was convicted of. Inn provided Alexander with comfort and companionship during his time in prison, and he continued to care for her after his release.

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