LIFE behind bars for one Bathurst Correctional Centre inmate has become a place of joy and hope for the future.
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For many people a custodial sentence is a sign of life being at its absolute worst, but the Defence Community Dogs program is changing lives for a select few.
The program is run behind bars and pairs up rescue dogs with inmates for an intensive training program to produce assistance dogs for veterans.
The dogs are taught a range of skills to help veterans cope with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety or depression.
Labradors Bruce, Jessie and Patrick had more than 250 hours training in preparation for their graduation on Thursday.
It has taught me that good can come of my abject failure.
- Bathurst jail inmate
Inmates cannot be named, but the one who lived with and trained Bruce for the past few months said the program had changed him forever.
"It has taught me that good can come of my abject failure," he said.
"This program has helped me with my personal goals ... I foresee a lot of positivity in my future."
The inmate also took time to thank the dog trainers and corrections staff involved in the program.
"Thank you for making every day another day to look forward to," he said.
Bruce's new owner is Australian Army veteran Tom who admits he had been slowly withdrawing from life since he was medically discharged late last year.
Joining the Army was a lifelong dream for Tom, but since he was discharged he has suffered with night terrors and struggled with a range of other issues.
"It's easy to forget what my positives were and what my achievements were," he said.
"I didn't want to engage socially or want to meet new people. I have nightmares and then spend the next day thinking about it all."
Also speaking during the graduation was another inmate who trained Patrick the Labrador.
"I hope he changes your life like he's change my life," he told the veteran who would receive the dog.
The inmate said the program had made him feel like he had "achieved something" while serving his sentence.
"I never thought jail could be something like this, the Honour House is a very special place," he said.
The Honour House is a minimum security wing of the jail with entry into the Defence Community Dogs program strictly vetted.
The program has been running since 2014 and so far 45 dogs have graduated.
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