The Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services (CARES) program located at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility will be hosting a graduation ceremony for several of its assistance dogs. The ceremony will take place on Thursday from noon to 2 p-m, at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

Four dogs will receive graduation certificates after having completed specialized training in several areas. CARES dogs are trained to provide help in pulling wheel chairs, lending balance support, picking up dropped objects and hearing assistance among other tasks. During the ceremony, the CARES dogs and their trainers will give a demonstration of the training they have received. The CARES dogs undergo their training at the correctional facility after having been placed with an inmate who has been trained in working with these dogs. The dog not only works with its inmate trainer, but will live with him in his cell and follow him through his regular daily routine.

The CARES dogs that will be graduating have already been matched to a person that has gone through the application process for an assistance dog.

Attending the ceremony will be several individuals and their CARES dogs, some of which have graduated from the program at HCF.