Shane Hawkins
[FROM]Front Page Story of Gwinnett Daily Post's interview of Shane Hawkins 3/2/2018- Shane Hawkins smiled as Lee, a pit bull mix, peered through Gwinnett County Jail cell 1B104's glass. Raising his hand, Hawkins gestured to the pup for a high-five, which Lee enthusiastically returned - a trick the inmate taught the dog over the past several months. Lee is one of 14 dogs that are part of the jail's Operation Second Chance, or more colloquially known, Jail Dog, program, & Hawkins is his handler....See more
[FROM]Front Page Story of Gwinnett Daily Post's interview of Shane Hawkins 3/2/2018- Shane Hawkins smiled as Lee, a pit bull mix, peered through Gwinnett County Jail cell 1B104's glass. Raising his hand, Hawkins gestured to the pup for a high-five, which Lee enthusiastically returned - a trick the inmate taught the dog over the past several months. Lee is one of 14 dogs that are part of the jail's Operation Second Chance, or more colloquially known, Jail Dog, program, & Hawkins is his handler. Hawkins, who entered the jail Oct. 9, 2014 (DUI/prescription drug/serious injury) has trained multiple dogs in his time at the detention center, recently publishing a book about his experience. It's about helping others while also reminding himself of his progress. 'I COULD GIVE BACK' "I started understanding that these dogs, just like inmates, have been society's outcasts. Basically, society is saying, 'We don't want them anymore.' There was this dog, Sonja, who came in so troubled - she was aggressive, she was barking through the doors, & I remember thinking she didn't know any better. "She kind of reminded me of ME because I used to be angry at things & I experienced a lot of emotions that I didn't know how to deal with. I started thinking of all that I've learned over the years & what God gave me. People may not think of it that way, but He really gave me an opportunity & I realized I could 'GIVE BACK' with these dogs!" Part of that giving back, Hawkins said, is due to the fact that he sees a lot of himself in the dogs. "I understand what they're going through - that they're hurt & they're scared," he said, "so it was like, let me try to help you overcome what you're doing through, because I'd experienced the same thing. After all the understanding I developed, I said, 'I want to be able to give this to people because they don't understand why their dogs behave the way they do, ' but if I could give a simple, straight-to-the-point explanation, maybe it would make a difference." Sonja taught me what it took to have patience, discipline & trust, so I put a short story of her in my book." Yesterday, a judge sentenced Hawkins to 15 years in prison, & he said he hopes to continue helping others when he enters his new facility. "It was hard hearing that, it's still hard & emotional," Hawkins said. "I am truly, truly sorry that I did what I did - I don't know how else to express how remorseful I am. But I can't let this stop me from moving forward, & I gotta keep going." See less