Prison inmates find purpose with Puppies for Parole

August 31, 2023 at 4:00 a.m.

by Ryan Pivoney

Julie Smith/News Tribune photo: Handler Brian Damanti with his canine charge Milton, with whom he's been working over the last several weeks to train for the Puppies for Parole program at Jefferson City Correctional Center.
Julie Smith/News Tribune photo: Handler Brian Damanti with his canine charge Milton, with whom he's been working over the last several weeks to train for the Puppies for Parole program at Jefferson City Correctional Center.


Joe Denti has trained more than 50 dogs from his cell at Jefferson City Correctional Center.

When he first met Hank, a 14-month-old goldendoodle, the dog was nervous, underweight and wouldn't let people touch him.

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