Prison puppies

In this Dec. 18, 2012, photo, Nero, a veteran assistance dog in training, takes a ball from inmate James Harrison during a training session at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md. Nero is one of three dogs assigned since September to inmates at the maximum-security prison for basic training as service dogs for disabled military veterans. The inmates, who are also veterans, are among the state's first prisoners to join a national trend of training service dogs in correctional institutions. Professional trainers say prison-raised dogs tend to graduate sooner and at higher rates than those raised traditionally in foster homes because puppies respond well to the consistency and rigid schedules of prison life.

In this Nov. 26, 2012, photo, Dill, a veteran assistance dog in training, looks on as inmate John Barba walks away after commanding him to sit and stay during a demonstration at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md. Dill is one of three dogs assigned since September to inmates at the maximum-security prison for basic training as service dogs for disabled military veterans.

In this Nov. 26, 2012, photo, inmate John Barba looks at a calendar as he sits in his 6-by-9-foot cell that he shares with Dill, a veteran assistance dog in training, at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md.

In this Nov. 26, 2012, photo, inmate John Barba walks out of his cell with Dill, a veteran assistance dog in training, at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md.

In this Nov. 26, 2012, photo, inmate John Barba works with Dill, a veteran assistance dog in training, at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md.

In this Dec. 18, 2012, photo, Kathy Levick, center, directs a training session with inmates and veteran assistance dogs in training as officials look on at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md. Levick visits the maximum-security prison once a week for two hours of instruction. Otherwise, the inmates - model prisoners housed in a tier of cells reserved for the most trusted inmates - work with the dogs constantly. The dogs sleep in cages inside the inmates' 6-by-9-foot cells and accompany them to meals and activities.

In this Nov. 26, 2012, photo, inmate John Barba looks at a calendar as he sits in his 6-by-9-foot cell that he shares with Dill, a veteran assistance dog in training, at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md.

In this Nov. 26, 2012, photo, inmate Hazard Wilson walks Yardley, a veteran assistance dog in training, on the grounds of Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md. Yardley is one of three dogs assigned since September to inmates at the maximum-security prison for basic training as service dogs for disabled military veterans.

In this Dec. 18, 2012, photo, Nero, a veteran assistance dog in training, takes a ball from inmate James Harrison during a training session at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md.

In this Nov. 26, 2012, photo, Dill, a veteran assistance dog in training, looks on as inmate John Barba walks away after commanding him to sit and stay during a demonstration at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md.