Larry Torres

Larry

Occupation: Dog Trainer

location: LAC

Paws for Life gives me the opportunity to make living amends. The acceptance I experience in this program is restoring my sense of self worth. I joined PFL as a way to give back for all that I had taken. At first not realizing how PFL would give me more than just something positive to do. This program is also helping me heal and grow as a person, inspiring a new way of life for me.

I started in this program soon after I began to understand the suffering I had caused. Acknowledging the harm I had done to others and to myself left me feeling disheartened and full of self-hatred. PFL was an attempt at finding a wholesome way to cope with those feelings. A chance to make things right, a way to be of value.

Training these dogs is empowering and it gives me a sense of accomplishment. The people involved with PFL help me feel secure and optimistic. Everyone is so open hearted and encouraging. It is impossible not to be touched by their efforts. It is difficult to define and fully capture what PFL means to me. All I know is that I want to continue to give back and contributing in some way after my release.