Prison Puppy Raising Program Earns Top Honors from Mutual of America's 2013 Community Partnership Award

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mutual of America announced today that the Prison Puppy Raising Program received the 2013 Governor Hugh L. Carey Award, presented annually to the national award-winning program in its Community Partnership Award competition.

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In 2002, Leader Dogs for the Blind in collaboration with the North Central Correctional Facility in Calhoun County, Iowa, launched the Prison Puppy Raising Program. This groundbreaking partnership pairs puppies with prisoners as a first step in preparing guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired. The program now places nearly 100 puppies each year with inmates at six minimum-security prisons across four states.

"Puppies raised in our partnering prisons experience a higher success rate of being placed with a client who is blind after Leader Dog training than those raised in a home setting," explained Susan Daniels, CEO and President of Leader Dogs for the Blind. "Inmates who have raised a puppy express pride and gratitude for the chance to give something back to the community."

About the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award annually honors the outstanding contributions that 10 nonprofit organizations, in partnership with public, private and other social sector organizations, make to society. Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 180 partnerships from cities and towns all across America. To learn more about the Community Partnership Award, visit mutualofamerica.com/cpa.

"All of the 2013 honorees are leaders in society, creating innovative and effective solutions to help those in need," said Thomas J. Moran, Chairman, President and CEO, Mutual of America. "Through the Community Partnership Award, Mutual of America is proud to recognize, support and help extend the reach of these vital partnerships."

About Mutual of America

Mutual of America specializes in providing retirement products and related services to organizations and their employees, as well as to individuals. Since 1945, Mutual of America has remained committed to offering plan sponsors, plan participants and individuals carefully selected, quality products and services at a competitive price and the personal attention they need to help build and preserve assets for a financially secure future. For more information, visit mutualofamerica.com.

SOURCE Mutual of America

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