With the help of man’s best friend, Camden County Freeholders are making life a little better for local inmates and veterans.  

Last year, the Camden County Department of Corrections began offering inmates the opportunity to train service dogs, giving them skills that will help them re-enter society. 

The service dogs, who originally came from the Camden County Animal Shelter, will be assigned to local veterans designated by the Office of Veteran Affairs. Service dogs are known to improve the quality of life for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression.  

The program is an all-around win for the Camden County community, says Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young. “The opportunity to have inmates participating and learning a new skillset that will ultimately benefit veterans is a home run for public policy, and it is critical that we continue to find more innovative ways to support both communities.”