Lisa Waggoner – Dogs and Second Chances: Rehabilitation Behind Bars

Lisa Waggoner – Dogs and Second Chances: Rehabilitation Behind Bars

A heart-opening conversation about connection, compassion, and the power of second chances—for both people and dogs.

In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Waggoner to explore a truly inspiring program where incarcerated men and shelter dogs transform each other’s lives through the power of positive reinforcement.

We talk about how the Jail Dog Program started, what makes it so effective, and how it’s changing lives .. not just for the men involved and the dogs they train, but also for families, communities, and even the prison system itself.

You’ll hear stories that will melt your heart, spark your curiosity, and maybe even inspire you to get involved. Whether you're a dog lover, a changemaker, or someone who believes in the magic of kindness .. you’ll want to listen to this one.

What we cover in this episode:

00:00 – Introduction and Warm Welcome
00:49 – Introducing the Jail Dog Program
01:35 – Lisa’s Personal Journey and Inspiration
04:43 – How the Program Got Started
06:23 – Powerful Impact and Real-Life Success Stories
14:10 – Program Expansion and Additional Life Skills Training
17:10 – Challenges, Dog Selection, and Application Process
22:16 – How You Can Get Involved + Growing the Movement
28:51 – Final Reflections and Hope for the Future

🐾 Find out more about Lisa and the Rescued Program:

Website: https://www.coldnosecollege.com

Bio: Lisa Lyle Waggoner is a passionate advocate for humane, science-based, force-free dog training. She’s the author of The Original Rocket Recall™: Teach Your Dog to Come. She’s a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, a Pat Miller Certified Trainer-Level 2, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer, and faculty member of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training and Behavior, and an Ordained Interspecies Animal Chaplain.
Lisa is the founder of Cold Nose College and well-known for her clear, compassionate, and engaging teaching skills and is dedicated to helping dogs and their owners form a strong bond and enjoy their lives together.

Lisa, along with her husband and business partner, Brad Waggoner, were the professional dog trainers in the RESCUED jail dog program (“Saving Detainees and Dogs One Life at a Time), at the Colwell Probation Detention center in Georgia. They are two-time recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award by the Georgia Department of Corrections.

She lives in western North Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and shares her life with her best friend, husband, and business partner, Brad, and their Australian Shepherd, Keaton.

Here’s the link for downloading the article: https://www.coldnosecollege.com/download-ppg-cover-story

Rescued Program Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/RescuedProgram

A free gift for you: https://www.coldnosecollege.com/12-rules-of-rocket-recall

Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/coldnosecollege
https://www.instagram.com/coldnosecollege/

As always, all about Soul Touched by Dogs at https://soultouchedbydogs.com

💛 If this episode moved you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you’d like to help bring programs like this to more communities, stay tuned for how you can support.