To date, there are more than 290 correctional facilities across the United States that have implemented dog-training programs. To better understand the effects of dog-training programs on their human participants, this article conducts a systematic review and two meta-analyses of 10 studies that met the criteria for inclusion. The data from these 10 studies were obtained from 310 program participants and 514 controls. Conducting two meta-analyses on externalizing and internalizing outcomes of dog-training program participation, we found significant mean effect sizes for both sets of outcomes, suggesting that dog-training programs have a desirable effect on offenders.

Purpose – Offender-led dog-training programmes (DTPs) are increasingly used throughout US correctional facilities. The rather sparse literature on these programmes is outlined in this manuscript, including the reported benefits of participation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the opinions of programme coordinators and staff from 13 programmes. Design/methodology/approach – The perceived effects were measured using an open-ended questionnaire, with attention paid to those benefits reported in the extant literature. Findings – Respondents noted improvements in several factors including impulsivity, self-efficacy, empathy, social skills, emotional intelligence, and employability. Practical implications – It is argued that DTPs should be implemented in other countries including the UK, and that well-designed, larger scale evaluations are needed. Originality/value – Though potentially limited by sample size and self-selection biases, these findings expand on the existing literature by supporting existing reports as well as expanding the breadth of the DTPs that have been studied.

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