It was graduation day for Jake and Melvin on Tuesday. They accepted their diplomas proudly and left their fond foster fathers behind to begin the hopeful look for a new family.

The two dogs are the first graduates of a training program at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. They are members of “Beyond the Bars,” a new collaboration between the jail and Coastal Humane Society, which now also includes the Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Edgecomb. The program is aimed at giving untrained dogs a chance at a good future with a family.

Mike Gould, CHS’ dog program coordinator, recently learned a new dog training program called Precision Behavior Training. The method associates a clicker sound with good behavior, and uses treats and praise to encourage dogs to learn positive household behaviors – walking on a leash without pulling, sit-stay and down commands, and more. Over time, the jail will host six pups who will be trained by volunteer inmates over a 12-week program.

“Dogs who have some training are 20 times more likely to be adopted than dogs who aren’t trained,” he said.

The two proud papas were Norm Palmer, who trained the big, goofy part bulldog named Melvin, and Dustin Campbell, who worked with the young part-Australian shepherd Jake. Both men are sorry to see them go, but Campbell is leaving jail this week, and Palmer is looking forward to getting home to his own furbaby upon his release.

“I would have loved to adopt Jake,” Campbell said. “But I can’t afford it right now. When I can, I plan to adopt from the shelter.”

Palmer said he loved working with the program. He’ll start to train the next dog, who is already at the jail; but Palmer will probably turn the training over to a new trainer as soon as that person is trained.

Palmer said the other inmates loved having the dogs in house, too. “They’d get back from their jobs, and just be able to play with the dogs, almost like they were at home,” he said. “I’ll miss that big boy.”

Acting Administrator James Bailey said it’s a good partnership. “It’s helpful to the other inmates as well,” he said. “Some of them have mental problems, and the dogs are a comfort to them. Other guys just had a bad life, some starting in childhood. This program will help their self-esteem, teach them that they’re doing something good for the community.”

The jail will be able to work with six dogs at a time when the program is fully functioning.

As for Jake and Melvin, well-wishers – and their foster dads – can follow their progress on the TBRJ website, and know when they’ve found a forever home.