Sister pauline quinn biography of mahatma
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– sounds that, you know, might stand out in a prison setting.) Instead, guards note an increase in empathy and a decrease in violent incidents among participants. Her discovery of the unconditional love of a dog companion provided her a sense of safety, self-confidence, and belonging (she often proudly proclaimed that "dog" is just "God" spelled backward).
(This concern, she explained, was unfounded: Cultivating aggression requires frequent agitation, leading the dog to bark, growl, etc. While she does not live within a religious community (she currently lives in a hermitage in Wisconsin with Pax as well as Joey and Vinny, also trained service dogs), her community is expansive, and includes the thousands of refugees, children, veterans, prisoners, cats, and dogs she has helped through her vocation.
During difficult days, guards stop by the cells to hug the puppies and interact with their trainers, no longer mere “inmates.”
This process changes relationships among prisoners as well. Puppies trained by inmates also have a higher success rate than those trained in private homes due to the time participants are able to devote to training as well as their emotional investment in their puppy’s success.
Sister Pauline's own PTSD service dog, a Doberman named Reni, was her constant companion and a wonderful ambassador for the program.
Even if I know much of her life, it's extraordinary to read how much more there has been. “I know who I am.”
She is pleased with those sisters who are “taking back their lives” while remaining as witnesses within the Church. Indeed, when her own late PTSD service dog – a Doberman named Reni – died of cancer, Sister Pauline chose one of the prison puppies, a Golden Retriever aptly named Pax, as successor.
But the puppies serve a greater purpose than all that.
It is almost incredible that so many dramatic events can fit in the life of a person, overcoming them and attaining win-win targets to help a large number of people in incredible variety of ways... Some in the Church have been skeptical about her, including one official who called her “an embarrassment.” (On the other hand, her encounter with Pope Francis in 2017 made the cover of Il Mio Papa, a weekly dedicated to the current Pope’s activities.
She has truly done more than most."
Ruth Olson, MSW
(California, USA) Social Worker
Sister Pauline Quinn, O.P. (1942–2021) was far more than the founder of Prison Pet Partnership; she was a global visionary whose compassion sparked a movement that continues to reshape lives around the world.
The program offers opportunities for licenses and certifications that improve prisoners’ ability to find employment upon release, and participation in puppy programs is correlated with a significant reduction in recidivism.
Puppies trained by inmates also have a higher success rate than those trained in private homes due to the time participants are able to devote to training as well as their emotional investment in their puppy’s success. We have been close friends since then, allowing me to write numerous stories about her humanitarian works here and abroad.
Secrets Shared: The Life and Work of Sister Pauline Quinn Op
At the age of 73, the catholic nun Sister Pauline Quinn has only one wish: To share her secret.
What I came away with was a curiosity about this remarkable woman whose life story was beyond what I could comprehend.
That’s just how I see it. The program matched puppies with prisoners who volunteered to mold them into disciplined service dogs for veterans with PTSD, people with disabilities, and children with autism, among others. With the collaboration of Dr. Leo Bustad, the Washington State Department of Corrections, Washington State University, and Tacoma Community College, she launched a model of rehabilitation that was entirely new—and remarkably effective.
Her groundbreaking idea did not remain contained within Washington State.
Sister Pauline spent decades traveling the world, establishing and inspiring similar programs in:
The United States
Europe
Asia
The Middle East
South America
Her work led to the creation of dozens of prison-based service-dog programs globally, forever changing how rehabilitation is understood and practiced.
Today, Sister Pauline’s influence is felt in:
The compassion-centered culture of the program
The dedication to second chances
The belief in the healing power of the human–animal bond
The commitment to dignity, empathy, and restoration
The global network of programs modeled after her work
Her life stands as proof that one person’s compassion can transform thousands of lives.
Every dog trained.
Every handler empowered.
Every service team matched.
Every second chance given—
all of it is part of Sister Pauline Quinn’s enduring legacy.
Prison Pet Partnership continues to honor her vision with gratitude, reverence, and a steadfast commitment to the transformative work she began.
Sister Pauline Quinn (1942 - 2020), a Dominican nun recognizable in her full habit, is best known for launching one of the first prison puppy programs in the United States, later inspiring dozens of similar programs in prisons around the world.
As a young woman, Sister Pauline experienced trauma and homelessness.
Additional photos and info can be found on her GoFundMe page.]
Font Prep School, Uganda
Emmanuel Kisitu (middle) and faculty
Sister Pauline at Font Preparatory School
Sister Pauline’s early life was marked by profound trauma, adversity, and periods of homelessness.
Sister Pauline’s goal is to encourage prisoners to become “other-centered,” and thereby to help them heal. Participants must learn to trust one another, cellmates take part in the puppy’s care, and positive interactions with other inmates increase. The program offers opportunities for licenses and certifications that improve prisoners’ ability to find employment upon release, and participation in puppy programs is correlated with a significant reduction in recidivism.