Prison Paws: Inmates Assist American Veterans Through Prison Dog-Training Program

Animal Assisted Therapy

May 2021

Full Citation

Chiaffarano, M. (2020). Prison Paws: Inmates Assist American Veterans Through Prison Dog-Training Program (Doctoral dissertation, Widener University).

Abstract

There are currently 2.3 million people incarcerated in the United States and 626,000

people return to the community every year (Wagner & Sawyer, 2019). The prevalence of mental illness in corrections is nearly five times that of the community (Fournier, Geller, & Fortney, 2007). This dissertation explores the American criminal justice system, the prevalence of mental illness in corrections, the high rates of recidivism, and the value of a low-cost and effective therapeutic treatment known as Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). Prison-dog training programs, a form of AAT, enable inmates to receive the benefits of AAT and train service dogs for others in need. The researcher collaborated with America’s VetDogs (AVD), a non-profit organization with a Prison Puppy Program where inmates train service dogs for veterans. Data were collected from current AVD staff who have experience with the program. The primary goals of the study are to learn about a) the benefits of the program b) the challenges of the program and c) the impact returning the dog to the organization post-training has on an inmate’s experience through the lens of AVD staff. Six core themes and 30 subthemes were produced by the data of this study. Overall, the program has many benefits and although there are challenges, participants agree that it is a “win-win” for everyone involved and the benefits outweigh any potential negatives.