Animal-assisted therapy in a Canadian psychiatric prison.

Animal-assisted therapy in a Canadian psychiatric prison. Int J Prison Health. 2019 Aug 29;15(3):209-231 Authors: Dell C, Chalmers D, Stobbe M, Rohr B, Husband A Abstract PURPOSE: Prison-based animal programs are becoming increasingly common in North America. The majority focus on community and animal well-being, with less explicit therapeutic goals for human participants. The purpose of this paper is to measure the objectives of a canine animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in a Canadian psychiatric prison and examine whether the program supports inmates' correctional plans. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A modified instrumental case study design was applied with three inmates over a 24-AAT-session program. Quantitative and qualitative AAT session data were collected and mid- and end-of-program interviews were held with the inmates, their mental health clinicians and the therapy dog handlers. FINDINGS: Inmates connected with the therapy dogs through the animals' perceived offering of love and support. This development of a human-animal bond supported inmates' correctional plans, which are largely situated within a cognitive-behavioral skill development framework. Specifically, inmates' connections with the therapy dogs increased recognition of their personal feelings and emotions and positively impacted their conduct. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The findings suggest that prison-based AAT programs emphas...
Source: International Journal of Prisoner Health - Category: Criminology Authors: Tags: Int J Prison Health Source Type: research