Who we are
Training Dogs for a Second Chance — by People Living Theirs.
Every year, over 60% of formerly incarcerated individuals remain unemployed one year after release. At the same time 3.3 million dogs enter shelters in the U.S., but only 1.6 million find a forever home.'
Dogs Train Home bridges these two challenges with their program’s.
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“We raise funds to train rescue dogs — and support people rebuilding their lives.”
Our History
Dogs Train Home was first imagined by Vix Lyttle after an unexpected encounter with professional dog trainer Isaac DeLaRosa from PawSitiveDawg.com. Their paths crossed when Vix adopted Eli, a Doberman-Rottweiler mix who had been surrendered during the COVID-19 pandemic and was struggling in the shelter environment.
A generous good Samaritan stepped in and paid for Eli to receive training with Isaac while he was being rehomed. Inspired by the compassion shown by both the Samaritan and Isaac, Vix began to wonder: How could she help more dogs like Eli?
As Vix and Isaac stayed in touch and became friends, she learned that Isaac had previously been incarcerated and had earned his professional dog training certification through a prison program called Pawsitive Change.
If it hadn’t been for Isaac’s ability to train her large, overexcited, and misunderstood dog, Eli might have been surrendered again. That realization sparked a shared vision between Vix and Isaac: to create a program that helps rescue dogs while also supporting individuals returning home from prison — people who just need a chance to prove what they’re capable of.
And so, Dogs Train Home was born.
We began working with Melvin Jones as a recipient of the nonprofit — providing him with opportunities to train rescue dogs, shifting from a board and train model to a day training structure that allowed for more flexibility and greater reach.
In 2025, Melvin officially joined the nonprofit team. His passion, experience, and leadership made him a natural fit, and he now plays a vital role in shaping the future of Dogs Train Home.
With a strong and committed team, we’re now able to help even more individuals get that critical kickstart — and in turn, give rescue dogs the training, love, and second chance they need to find their forever homes.