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The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter received a Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award for its Leashing Hope program.
Representatives with the shelter highlighted the program’s achievements at a Commissioners Court meeting April 21.
About the program
The Leashing Hope program is a collaboration between the WCRAS and the Bartlett State Jail’s Innovation Unit. It pairs incarcerated veterans with shelter dogs for positive reinforcement-based training.
The program is mutually beneficial for the shelter dogs and incarcerated individuals, preparing dogs for permanent homes, and fostering emotional healing and a sense of duty for the handlers, WCRAS officials said.
“We use positive reinforcement training to help the handlers build skills, but then they're also helping the dogs get ready for their adoptive homes,” WCRAS Animal Services Director Misty Valenta said April 21.
There are currently nine dogs paired with 18 handlers through the program. The inaugural class graduated five dogs in April 2025, according to county documents.
What it means
Created in 1995, the Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Awards honor volunteers who have contributed to the mission of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice, according to state documents. There were 23 recipients of the award throughout the state this year.
