MAN'S BEST FRIEND

MAN'S BEST FRIEND - A Story of Hope and Redemption By T DARSHAN The narrow hallways part openly as Elsworth tunnels through.  Small in stature, he's not even half as big as the respect he commands.  Not in the least bit.   Still the inmates line up and file in to pay Elsworth homage.  Note, this is not done out of fear--love actually.  In fact, Elsworth is arguably the greatest source of joy these men will encounter today.  He represents a symbol of hope and redemption, and, above all, a return to innocence for them. I must admit that one cannot help but feel something intimate and unusual come alive after embracing him; indeed, one feels loved.  By the way, Elsworth is a Labrador Retriever, a Lab  specifically trained and raised to aid wounded veterans by inmate puppy handlers participating in the Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) program.  Today, Elsworth is being escorted by his trainer, Kenny Boykin, one of the better puppy handlers of the PBB program. Call it being awe-struck, but the entire population stands unconsciously still as Boykin issues a series of commands to Elsworth.  Everyone is more than eager to pet Elsworth, myself included.  As a service dog in training, however, Elsworth does not have that luxury.  Boykin, as though already mastering the soft power of Finesse and focus, has him under specific instruction, and Elsworth can only 'make a friend' (one of the commands) if he is directed to.  Watching this dynamic unfold is like watching science and art marry before your eyes.  "Watch me...watch me, Elsworth," Boykin says.  Elsworth turns his head to Boykin before any turn of hand can reach out and pet him.  I kid you not, Elsworth will not move and unblinkingly holds Boykin's glance for further instruction.  "Elsworth, come closer," Boykin says.  Elsworth comes closer; he sees no one else.  Boykin points to some random admirer.  "Elsworth, make a friend… good boy!" Boykin's commands skillfully comes off as a casual request, no different than the way a father asks his youngest son to hug a loving aunt only visiting for a day.  Unlike a child, though, Elsworth provides pause only when told, thereby catering to the many perfect strangers desiring his friendship. Elsworth's loyal obedience reveals more than a well trained dog; it also speaks confidently to a relationship fostered in trust and empathy; respect and reciprocity; faith and understanding.  At least this feels like the poignant take away after observing Boykin's human connection with Elsworth.  You see the power of change right before your eyes; inmate and service, man and best friend.  Boykin is fully aware of the measure PBB, and Elsworth in particular,  has played in his profound change.  "Looking back, I had started PBB with no real intent to change.  But the program taught me to work together with those who knew more than me.  Then I began to see results of what I learned, and that really made a difference...That's when I began working with Soldiers, Officers, Civilians, and Inmates to help them learn what I developed.  This all contributed to me earning my Animal Caretaker Certificate, as well as my Department of Labor in Professional Dog Training," Boykin says. Boykin's credentials are not only impressive for its merits, but its method of maturity and self-improvement.  Contrary to before, there is a different control of messaging, and therefore identity branding, in his outlook of the future, clearly making him a force  onto freedom.  "I was terribly quiet and nervous, and pretty much a loner before.  But now I'm confident and ready to do what I must to be successful and to be a positive example.  I want to show these at-risk kids that it's alright to ask for help.  They can see for themselves that they're smart and good at something tangible by raising service dogs for wounded vets.  Sometimes that's all it takes, seeing the results.  That's all I needed." The time has come for Elsworth and Boykin to part ways.  The look on Boykin's face says it's way too soon.  Boykin has graduated him from a wide-eyed pup to a service dog that will assist a wounded vet cope with his PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  The end of a rigorous two year process has neared, but the place Els' hold in Boykin's heart will indefinitely live on.  "I'm going to miss him," Boykin admits.  "That was my road dog."  It was the first time I've seen him get emotional. The time to see if Boykin's skill-set for handling dogs translates into a strong handle on freedom is also fast approaching.  "I'm ready.  I've been ready for sometime," he says.  Holding fast to Beyond The Curve's philosophy that men coming home must not merely reform but transform.  Boykin naturally aims to align with Wilson Ortiz's Honorable Paws organization. "Transforming the value system of at-risk youths from streets and drugs to country and sacrifice is the next logical step on the path to progress... Honorable Paws is really going to make a powerful difference in the public service imagination of at-risk youths… in the same revolutionary way Beyond The Curve is changing the game for young men coming home, helping them discover and empower their value."  March 24, 2014 marks the day Boykin lives the change on the other side of the wall.  Please sign up to blog and support Boykin at BeyondTheCurve.org as he documents his new day!