Through a partnership between the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC), the Clarence Foundation, and Lake Land College, Helping Paws is providing service dogs at no cost to those with special needs who are helped by the dogs' services. Carefully selected inmates, along with their training instructors, have been training the dogs since May 2000. The dogs are trained to perform a variety of services, such as opening cabinets, retrieving objects, switching lights, and walking beside wheelchairs and walkers. The Clarence Foundation places the dogs from the Helping Paws program. The inmates who train the dogs are learning new skills that will assist them with future employment. As part of the program, inmates become attached to the animals they are training. After intense training of up to 18 months, the inmate trainers know they must give up their animals to the recipients, knowing that through their efforts the special needs of handicapped people will be met, including those with Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, seizures, a brittle bone disease, and paraplegia. The Clarence Foundation adopts dogs from shelters and humane societies. Dogs are selected according to their temperament rather than their breeding background. The program provides second chances for the dog, the recipient, and the inmate. Illustrative pictures are provided.