Inmate learns to train service dogs for veterans

NEW YORK (FOX5NY.COM) - Rocky isn't your ordinary dog and Jermaine is far from your typical trainer. The incarcerated veteran struggles with PTSD after serving two tours in active combat. He said the disorder is part of the reason why he is now serving time.

But good behavior recently landed him in a unique program through the nonprofit Paws of War. The organization trains and places shelter dogs with military vets that suffer from the emotional effects of war. He only has experience in training his dogs but he is open to learning.

"It's going to be a good distraction for me," said Jermaine, an inmate at the Suffolk County Jail in Yaphank. "I think me and him are going to be pals."

Once training starts, Jermaine will work with Rocky twice a week for the next eight weeks.

"Once Rocky's completed the program in eight weeks and he's assigned to that veteran, we feel very strongly it is going to assist him in his daily life," Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. said. "We think what skills Jermaine is providing to him and learning from Paws of War will really be helpful."

Rocky's recipient is Harry Stolberg, who was injured while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and also suffers from PTSD.

"This is a complete reversal of my personality— my personality was always more of an isolated person, I kept to myself, I had few friends," said Stolberg. "Just the idea of having Rocky is really changing my perspective on things."

Rocky may also be the reason why Jermaine changes careers. Paws of War offered him a job as an apprentice trainer when he gets out of jail.