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Animal-assisted therapy in a Canadian psychiatric prison.
- Source :
- International Journal of Prisoner Health; 2019, Vol. 15 Issue 3, p209-231, 23p
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- <bold>Purpose: </bold>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.<bold>Design/methodology/approach: </bold>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.<bold>Findings: </bold>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.<bold>Research Limitations/implications: </bold>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.<bold>Originality/value: </bold>This is the first study of a prison-based AAT program in a Canadian psychiatric correctional facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17449200
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Prisoner Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 137644952
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPH-04-2018-0020