As you watch the tiny puppy wriggle in the arms of a tough-looking inmate, it's hard not to feel warmed.
In a recent video from the Canadian Press, Jacques Deon, who is serving time at a Halifax jail, seems to agree.
"My goal is to get back to work, go fishing, I'm a lobsterman," he says, but he can't help but grin as the small black Labrador wiggles and yawns.
Deon and 11 others are teaching these puppies new skills and learning them themselves, through a new puppy training program launched February 11 at the jail.
"We're working on the dogs' future, getting them adoptable, and working on the offenders' future, teaching them respect, hopefully making them more employable", says John Landry of the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in the video.
Since the program launched, 12 inmates have been paired with more than 70 dogs, according to Global News.
The inmates take turns walking the dogs, cleaning their kennels, and teaching them basic commands.
Watch the video below. Warning: it may soften your heart.
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