ABEL LEASH CEREMONIES
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Jump straight to the RSVP form if you don't need the details!
About the ABEL Leash Ceremonies
Each ABEL facility hosts a ceremony at the close of each training period for guests of EENP and NC Department of Adult Corrections (DAC) to celebrate the incoming and outgoing dogs as well as the accomplishments of the training period. These ceremonies are held three times a year, approximately one month before EENP's public graduation ceremonies.
At each ceremony,
- for pups moving into training in ABEL, EENP community trainers pass their dogs' leashes to the ABEL trainers to mark their pups' transition into advanced training in ABEL;
- for pups graduating from training to be considered for placement with an EENP client, ABEL trainers pass their dogs' leashes to an EENP client or client representative;
- ABEL trainers give demonstrations of the training process and the dogs' skills, usually in the form of short skits;
- one ABEL trainer gives a speech about his experience in the program; and
- after the ceremony, guests can sit down with the ABEL trainers to talk and enjoy light food and drink provided by NC DAC
The leash ceremonies are a special opportunity for EENP's community to personally witness the professionalism and commitment of the ABEL trainers. The attendance of EENP's guests, most coming from over an hour away, is a truly invaluable show of support for the ABEL trainers and the work they do, and they often mention how much it means to them. We hope you can join us for a ceremony!
Ceremony Dates and Details
Caswell Correctional Center (CCC)
Blanch, NC
- Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 1-3 pm (arrival 12:00-12:30 pm)
- RSVP by Fri 5/19 at noon (no forms needed).
- Caswell is likely to limit attendance at the ceremony in which case we will close RSVPs earlier.
- Minors may be able to attend the ceremony at Caswell if accompanied by their parent or guardian.
- Currently, guests may attend all three leash ceremonies at Caswell each year without taking additional volunteer training from NC DAC. This policy may change at any time.
Warren Correctional Institute (WCI)
Manson, NC
- Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 1-3 pm (arrive 11:30 am to 12:30 pm depending on training and blue card options)
- RSVP and record check form due by Wed 5/17 at noon.
- Unfortunately, minors are not able to attend ceremonies at Warren.
- Guests may only attend ONE leash ceremony in a calendar year at Warren without taking additional training ("blue card" or "PREA" training). That training is approximately 1 hour long and is usually offered before the May and September leash ceremonies for guests who wish to attend more than one ceremony at Warren in a calendar year. The RSVP form will help you determine if you need training or not in order to attend.
Want to Attend?
Fill out the form below to RSVP. You can also access the RSVP form directly at this link if you are having difficulty with the embedded form below.
If you need to submit an authorization form for a background check for Warren, you can use this link to submit the form online. After you sign and submit it, you'll need to call our office at 919-408-7292 to provide your social security and drivers license numbers over the phone (do not leave this information on voicemail).