“Frankie and Baxter were trained as assistance dogs by juvenile offenders, with today marking their graduation,” Mr West said.

“The Justice Pups program is a partnership between the NSW Government and Assistance Dogs Australia, with the dogs spending 15 months at Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre on the central coast.

“Ten detainees were part of the Justice Pups program, spending time to teach the skills that the puppies required for their role as assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

“The program has greatly helped in the rehabilitation of young offenders. Each detainee showed a very high level of commitment to the requirements of the program.

“The program helped detainees improve their communication skills and self-esteem. They learned how to work together in a team, and have developed a greater sense of responsibility.

“They also learned the benefit of giving back to the community in a positive way, realising that the dogs they are training in custody will eventually be placed with people with physical disabilities.”

“The Justice Pups program united staff, young people and community volunteers, who visited Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre each week to help the detainees train the puppies,” Assistance Dogs Australia’s top dog Richard Lord said.

“The efforts of the detainees and the trainers were outstanding, with Frankie and Baxter ready for six months of intensive training at our national centre before they are matched with people with physical disabilities.”

“The Justice Pups program is a win-win. Young offenders develop skills that assist in their rehabilitation, the puppies become assistance dogs, and the recipients - people with disabilities - gain much needed assistance and companionship,” Mr West said.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Assistance Dogs Australia.”