-Proud Puppy Trainer-

“Hey guy, your dog is peeing in my hallway. Clean that sh*t up right now.”

I quickly looked down in horror and saw my puppy Conrad taking a two-minute bright yellow pee on the freshly mopped prison hallway. Let’s just say my fellow prisoner’s tone was a bit STERN.

At that moment, I felt my entire body heat up and sweat start to profusely pour out of my skin. I quickly apologized and promised to clean up the pee puddle after I took Conrad out to the “prison potty yard.”

Surprise, surprise!!! Conrad no longer needed to go “potty.”

I had only been a Prison Puppy Trainer for about a week and made the cardinal sin of waiting in the hallway for too long before “the prison voice” called our controlled move over the loudspeaker. Remember, we can only move around the prison in ten-minute increments at specific times. That means our dogs need to go out at these VERY specific times throughout the day. I never made the mistake of waiting for “potty time” in the hallway again.

My first few weeks in the dog program were a blur. I went from an insane 60-man dorm, to a 2-man cell with a roommate who had just come from a “supermax prison,” and then a few days later I was in a new cell with a brand new puppy named Conrad. My head was absolutely spinning because I had only been in prison for a few months.

But, the first time Conrad looked at me with his BIG BROWN EYES, I knew that we would be buddies. We were both new to prison and needed each other to navigate our intimidating and strange environment.

Mr. Conrad and I bonded because we both love to work hard and learn new things. It was like we made a silent promise to each other to ALWAYS do our best, even on the days we were sad, tired, and frustrated. We would overcome our obstacles together one training session at a time.

When I moved into the dog hall about 4 or 5 months ago, most trainers/prisoners had given up on poor Mr. Conrad. He had a couple of really bad trainers before me. These trainers focused on themselves, and that caused Conrad to fall WAY behind the other dogs in the hall. I was basically encouraged to just wait for the next batch of dogs and give up on my buddy Mr. Conrad.

The popular saying in the dog hallway and beyond was:
“Conrad will make a great pet one day.”

That statement meant he would never fulfill his destiny as a service dog.

The typical culture in prison is to “give up” or “make excuses” about why something did not work out. It is the way most prisoners deal with their past, present, and future. It is painful to witness 24 hours a day, and I struggle with the environment daily. Besides missing my family, this is the hardest part of prison.

However, I had made a promise to Noel, Cambria, Willow, Lula, and Zion to work hard EVERY single day I’m in prison. I very much plan on following through with this promise no matter what.

WE BARTLETTS NEVER GIVE UP!!!

I hated how other prisoners/trainers mocked my friend Conrad. I saw a young dog with potential and an extremely high work ethic. He just needed a trainer to put in the time with him. This dog was clearly built for greatness.

Every single day Conrad and I put in the work. No excuses—just training session after training session. Mr. Conrad’s favorite part of the day was (and still is) the long walk down our hallway to the “puppy training room.” Every time we do that walk, he knows it is time to work. THE DUDE LOVES TO WORK AND TRAIN!!! He is built different. He just needed a trainer who was willing to put in the time. I’m honored that I was chosen to fulfill this part of Conrad’s journey.

Now he is the most beloved dog in the hallway and constantly receives praise for his top-notch skills and behaviors. Most prisoners are astonished at the progress Mr. Conrad has made in a few short months. The funny thing is, Conrad and I know there is no mystery to his continued success. Just good old-fashioned hard work. Hours and hours and hours and hours of training.

Now, Mr. Conrad is about to graduate at the top of his class. Conrad, my furry friend, you flipping earned it. I’m proud of you.

Yesterday was a heavy day. I found out the exact date my buddy Mr. Conrad will be leaving. On December 3rd, 2025, Mr. Conrad will walk out of my cell forever. On that day, he will be taken in for final training—a day NO ONE thought was possible. This will be his last stop before fulfilling his destiny as a service dog.

Some nights I like to lay down in my cell and imagine the faces of his new family. I try to picture their reactions when they see Mr. Conrad for the first time. I’m sure he will be sitting tall and proud with his bright red service cape on. I know his future family will see the same thing I saw when I first met Conrad.

They will see a BIG BROWN-EYED DOG that is ready to put in the work. They will see my buddy Mr. Conrad, who is built different.

THIS DOG WILL NEVER GIVE UP.

I’m so proud of you, Mr. Conrad. Thank you for allowing me into your life. It has been an honor.

Let’s finish strong, my friend.

Sincerely,
The Prison Puppy Trainer (A.K.A. Brett)

 

 

-A Quick Note From Brett's Wife, Noél-

This will be the 8th month since my husband surrendered to prison. Two months into Brett’s prison sentence, I unexpectedly lost my job. Fear and panic pulsed through my entire body. I was suddenly an unemployed mom to four little ones with a husband who is incarcerated thousands of miles away from us.

Normally, in times like these Brett is my rock and my person I turn to when crisis hits our family. But, unfortunately right now, he is locked in a federal prison and I am left facing this extreme financial crisis alone. The thought of carrying it all by myself has been paralyzing.

As this new reality has set in, I have felt the overwhelming cloud of depression and anxiety surround me, and pain I would not wish upon my worst enemy. 

THANKFULLY, at my absolute lowest point, people like you have stepped in to pick me up off the ground. You have surrounded me, Cambria, Willow, Lula, and Zion with the utmost love, kindness, and support.

From the bottom of my heart:
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
You’ve helped save me and my family.

I’m doing everything humanly possible to:

-Rebuild our financial situation and create stability for our family

-Homeschool my kids 

-Keep our little family afloat until Brett can come home

All this is not easy and is a constant exhausting juggle, but I’m determined to overcome this massive obstacle and show my kids what their momma is made of.

So many of you have offered to send a financial “gift.” Each generous gift truly helps us:

-Stay in our home

-Catch up on overdue bills

-Create some stability for my kids in this storm

There is absolutely no pressure. But, if this is something that is on your heart to help please send your financial "gift" to any of my following accounts. 

-Venmo: @NoelBartlett 

-Zelle: influenceinnovations@gmail.com

-PayPal: influence innovations LLC  https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/RUWMFZF7X6J4Q

-Cash App: @noeldbartlett

 

This is a VERY vulnerable time in our journey. But I am in awe of the people God has brought into our lives and am truly so beyond grateful.

I promise to work hard every single day to provide for my children and get my husband (Brett) back home to us.

Thank you for helping to heal and save our family.

With love, extreme gratitude, and blessings,
Noél