These inmates from Bathurst Correctional Centre might be serving time for a range of crimes, but a very select few have been hand-picked to help veterans.

The Defence Community Dog program is run by Corrective Services NSW and it pairs up inmates with rescue dogs for an intensive six-month training period to provide assistance dogs for Australia's Defence Force veterans.

READ MORE: Veteran says Defence Community Dog program has changed his life

A quietly-spoken inmate, who cannot be named, took part in the march with his trainee dog Molly and he said joining the program was very important to him.

"For whatever reason we've made mistakes, but this is an opportunity to redeem yourself," he said.

"It's making some steps to give back for the crimes I've committed and it's very rare to be able to do that in prison."

VIDEO: Anzac Day, 2019 march in Bathurst

Inmates and their assigned dogs walk the Bathurst CBD during some of their training as it gives the dogs the chance to learn real-life skills to help their veteran.

For this inmate, the first time he stepped outside jail since he was incarcerated six months ago was very confronting.

"It was just surreal and very much a shock to the system," he said.

READ MORE: Bathurst's new eternal flame unveiled during dawn service

"Some of the guys have been incarcerated for four or five years, it's been years since they've been outside in the normal world.

"It's necessary to remind yourself that you're still in incarceration.

"The trust they [corrections officers] have in us was not lost on me."

READ MORE: All the photos from Anzac Day, 2019 in Bathurst

This inmate acknowledged that to have convicted criminals walking down the streets of Bathurst may be confronting for some people in the community.

"It'd be confronting, particularly for people who have been victims of crime, especially if they see people in green walking along," he said.

But, for the Bathurst community, he had a message of praise and thanks.

"The support from the community comes in the form of encouragement when we're out in the community," he said.

The Defence Bank Foundation is a registered charity and helps funds the Defence Community Dogs program.