The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas will host a presentation by Tricia Dodson-Ross, the Paws in Prison coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Correction. She will speak at 11 a.m. Friday, April 7, in NWQB B-108 (Northwest Quadrangle B). Seating for the event is limited.

The Arkansas Department of Correction's Paws in Prison Program is a partnership with animal shelters and rescue groups across the state. Selected inmates, under the guidance of professional dog trainers, work with rescue dogs, teaching them basic obedience skills. The PIP program helps train general adoption and service dogs. PIP began in December of 2011 and has saved hundreds of dogs from being euthanized.

Dodson-Ross will provide an overview of the PIP program in Arkansas. She will also be accompanied by the PIP ambassador, Chloe, who is a certified therapy dog. Additional information about PIP can be found through Arkansas Department of Correction's website or on Facebook @ArkansasPawsinPrison.

About the Department: The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice offers three degree programs and two honor societies; affiliation with three research units: the Community and Family Institute, the Terrorism Research Center, and the Center for Social Research; and research emphases in community, crime, law, social inequality, social psychology, culture, organizations and social networks.