Inmates use abandoned dogs to make a difference for war veterans

Four neglected dogs have been trained by inmates and given to war veterans in a touching ceremony at Bathurst Correctional Centre today.

The event was a part of the Dogs for Diggers program which started in 2012.

It's seen 26 dogs from local pounds and shelters, trained by minimum security inmates at the prison.

The dogs are then given to veterans who have returned to Australia and are suffering from physical and psychological injuries such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Christine Whittaker fought with the U-S army in Iraq and said her new dog Lexi will change her life.

"I don't feel so damaged anymore and I've got hope. I didn't have hope before" she said.

"I'm the only left out of my unit, everyone else couldn't handle it when they got back or didn't make it there. And she's going to make me feel normal again... or mostly normal again."

The dogs have to be tested to ensure they have a stable temperament and are trained by the inmates for 5 months.

Teneka Priestly is a dog trainer and has worked with the prisoners for the past year. She says although it's a rewarding experience, it can also be challenging.

"I've seen big changes in some of the inmates. The guys have to learn to be very patient" she said.

"They've learnt to have responsibility in their lives. And they've learnt to think about something else besides themselves and their own problems."

After the ceremony, Attorney General Brad Hazzard said it's rewarding for the inmates, the veterans and the dogs.

"Inside the correctional facilitates we've got across the state, it's critical we get programs that change people's lives otherwise inmates stay on the same cycle" he said.

"To be able to do it in the context of doing something for our returned service men and women and obviously bringing dogs into it, that really does make a huge difference in people's lives. It is just a wonderful opportunity."