Colleen Dell1, Darlene Chalmers2, Mark Stobbe3, Betty Rohr4, Alicia Husband5. 1. Department of Sociology, School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Canada. 2. Faculty of Social Work, University of Regina , Regina, Canada. 3. Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Canada. 4. College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Canada. 5. School of Public Health, University of Saskatchewan , Saskatoon, Canada.
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 emphasizing inmate mental well-being, alongside that of animal and community well-being generally, merit further exploration. It would be worthwhile to assess this AAT program with a larger and more diverse sample of inmates and in a different institutional context and also to conduct a post-intervention follow-up. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the first study of a prison-based AAT program in a Canadian psychiatric correctional facility.
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 humanparticipants. 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 emphasizing inmate mental well-being, alongside that of animal and community well-being generally, merit further exploration. It would be worthwhile to assess this AAT program with a larger and more diverse sample of inmates and in a different institutional context and also to conduct a post-intervention follow-up. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the first study of a prison-based AAT program in a Canadian psychiatric correctional facility.
Authors: Joanne Reddekopp; Colleen Anne Dell; Betty Rohr; Barbara Fornssler; Maryellen Gibson; Ben Carey; James Stempien Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-24 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: María Del Carmen Rodríguez-Martínez; Alba De la Plana Maestre; Juan Antonio Armenta-Peinado; Miguel Ángel Barbancho; Natalia García-Casares Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-07 Impact factor: 3.390