Located in far Southwest Virginia’s “Coal Country,” the Virginia Wilderness Institute (VWI) is an alternative educational and treatment facility that provides rehabilitative services to juvenile offenders in a highly structured and disciplined environment. Under the executive directorship of James Culverhouse, VWI provides young men with opportunities to interact with local citizens and give many hours of service work to the community. Projects have ranged from helping elderly citizens with small home repairs to assisting State Police with flood relief efforts.

During the past year, VWI partnered with Canine Assistants from Georgia to help train service dogs. VWI residents apply to be canine handlers and each is paired with a dog that suits his personality. The dogs live on campus for approximately six months and are taught to perform such services as opening doors, operating light switches, and retrieving dropped items. Fourteen dogs have already graduated from the program at VWI; they have gone on to Georgia for additional training before being paired with disabled children and adults. Eight more dogs have been recently enrolled at VWI.

The young men of VWI who help train the service dogs talk about what a meaningful experience it is and describe a new-found self worth. “I’m just a kid,” one youngster noted. “I’ve been in trouble my whole life. I’ve always had people helping me, but I never knew I could help someone else.”

VJJA is proud to present its 2004 Meritorious Service Award for Community Service to James Culverhouse and the Virginia Wilderness Institute.