August 8 was our 3rd anniversary!  Since August 8, 2011:

More than 90 inmate dog handlers have graduated from our program

70 inmate graduates have been offered internships

Over 50 shelter dogs have been rescued and given forever homes

100% of those dogs have passed their Canine Good Citizen test

Our recidivism rate has been less than half that of the general population at the Philadelphia Prison System

To give you an idea as to the incredible impact we’ve had in the past 3 years, take a look at all of these happy doggie faces -- each one was rescued by New Leash on Life USA!

Looking for pet insurance? If you go to http://www.gopetplan.com/ and enter “NewLeash” as the promo code, you'll get a 10% overall discount (5% online + 5% Strategic Partner discount)! Plus they'll donate $25 dollars to New Leash on Life USA!

We've already introduced you to Jenn, one of the amazing dog trainers who helps teach our inmate participants how to train their shelter dogs. Now meet Nicole!

Nicole is the Owner and President of Philly Unleashed, a Philadelphia-area dog training company that uses positive reinforcement, classical, and operant conditioning techniques to train dogs in ways that are safe, gentle, and family-friendly. She's an amazing trainer, and we feel so lucky to have her on our team!

Nicole agreed to let us interview her to help our followers get to know our team, why we love them, and why they love us! Read on for the interview.

NLOL USA: What made you decide to be a dog trainer?

NICOLE: I don’t ever recall making a decision that I wanted to be a dog trainer.  I just always, kind of, did it!   I was probably only 7 years old when I started setting up agility courses for our family’s border collies in the backyard made out of garbage cans, broom handles, and wheelbarrows.  But I got my first professional animal training jobs in college teaching basic obedience classes and equestrian lessons.  By the time I was out of college, there was no question that I would continue working with animals.  I decided to specialize in canine behavior and I’ve never looked  back!

NLOL USA: What’s your favorite thing about working with dogs?

NICOLE: What’s not to like?  I wear jeans and a t-shirt to work, help people form relationships with their pets, and get loads of puppy kisses every day of my life. . . and I get paid for it!  Not too shabby!

NLOL USA: In your opinion, what makes New Leash on Life USA such a great program?

NICOLE: New Leash on Life-USA is so unique because of the human-animal bond component.  There are a ton of prison dog training programs out there.  But I don’t know any others that are so active in  helping the human participants get their lives back on track.  In fact, working with the inmates is a lot like working with the dogs; with a little bit of patience, consistency, and structure, I get from them way more than they get from me!

NLOL USA: What kinds of projects do you want to work on in the future?

NICOLE: Any projects where I can teach people about positive reinforcement dog training and animal behavior are fun for me.   I had the chance to speak at a few dog training conferences last year and I loved it.   And you never know, maybe a book about my experiences working with shelter dogs and inmates someday. . .

NLOL USA: What’s your best piece of advice for people looking to adopt shelter dogs?

Last week our inmate participants from the State Correctional Institution at Graterford were asked to write about what aspects of their dog made them thankful. Here's what they said:

I'm thankful for the way Layla works for me.  She's gave me the confidence to know that I'm capable to train dogs.  I'm thankful that she wants to work even though she's only got 3 legs, and that's no laughing matter.    I'm very thankful for her being a good companion and willing to spend her time in a prison cell with me, and that she has not given up on herself in life for what she's been through.  Most of all, I'm thankful that she showed up at my prison cell door needing love and comfort and giving me the chance to train her, raise her, and give her the love she needed.  Also for New Leash saving a dogs life that needed it and giving it to me to also save her life.  You gave us both that chance. --Sidney G.

I'm thankful for receiving yet another dog whose life and health I am fortunate enough to be a part of changing.  It give me personal satisfaction to watch these animals come here, regain their health and confidence back as well as proper training and genuine love.  I'm thankful that Taylor is easy going, easy to train, and easy to appreciate and love.  I also appreciate and look forward to the challenges of teaching her new commands and tricks so she can go to a loving home.  And last, I'm thankful for Taylor along with the rest of the dogs showing me that I can do anything I put my mind to and for strengthening my patience over all.  -- John D.

I'm thankful for the way Carrie is coming along.  When she first got here she would not walk on the floor surface, through the doors or up and down the steps.  Now she can do all of that and she even does tricks.  She can "sit down", she can give a "paw".  I'm just thankful for her coming out of her shell.  She is so much more alive, compared to when she first got here.  I'm just thankful she learning the way she learning and I'm looking forward to teaching her more stuff.--Brian C.

We LOVE hearing about the positive outcomes of our program graduates! Recently we received an e-mail about Andrew, a graduate of our 7th class at Philadelphia Prison Systems. Check out the e-mail below to find out how Andrew is continuing to save lives after his release from prison!

I just wanted to send an email regarding Andrew R. About 2 wks ago I asked Andrew if he felt comfortable working with a very fear aggressive cane corso named Lola. Lola was deamed "aggressive / unadoptable" and was scheduled to be euthanized. I was asked to sign her euthanasia papers the day that I asked Andrew to work with her. He immediately said that he was up for the challenge.

He then went on to fully explain to me that if he had Lola out he would use caution, watch her body language for any signs that she was uncomfortable and return her to her kennel safely if she had enough.

Since that day he has been working with her and even showing others how to handle her. I take great pride in sharing with you that Lola now has a live exit!  Today Andrew took Lola out for myself and a rescue partner and he was so good with her that the rescue fell in love with her! She is scheduled for spay and will be going to a farm in Quakertown in 2 days!

It is so vital that employees and interns like Andrew know and realize the impact that they make on literally saving the lives of shelter animals! This was a great day at Women's Humane! I am very proud of Andrew and hope that he is equally as proud of himself. Please pass the word.

New Leash on Life USA Founder/CEO Marian V. Marchese has been featured in the December 2013 issue of Cesar's Way magazine!

Temple Contemporary's charity dinner Fulfill is only one week from today on Nov. 14 from 6-9 PM! Have you purchased your tickets yet? Remember, New Leash on Life USA has been chosen as one of three charity recipients! Here's the event info:

Fulfill is a micro-granting initiative inspired by community-based organizations such as Sunday Soup and Philly Stake.  For a $15-$25 dollar donation you will be served a delicious, locally sourced meal in dishware made by the Tyler School of Art Ceramics and Glass Departments.  All of the money raised will be evenly re-granted to three non-profit orgainizations: Girls Rock Philly, Neighborhood Bike Works, and New Leash on Life.  The dishes are yours to take home as a memento of the event.