Pet Therapy in Correctional Institutions: A Perspective From Relational-Cultural Theory

Abstract

In this article the authors apply Relational-Cultural Theory to pet therapy in correctional institutions. An important premise is that when pet therapy is used in prisons a symbiotic relationship develops between pets and prison inmates which, at the same time, improve their relationships with people themselves. Relational-Cultural Theory posits that relationships with individuals are not just a means to an end. Rather, good relationships promote growth and healthy development; they also cultivate reciprocal empathy. Hence, a major reason of suffering for most people is their experience of isolation; healing can occur in growth-fostering relationships.

Adapting Animal‐Assisted Therapy Trials to Prison‐Based Animal Programs

“…Mutual empathy and growth and healthy development are nurtured through good relationships (Thomas & Matusitz, 2015). The effect that animals have on a person's ability to love, empathize, and experience compassion provides reason for further exploration of animal-assisted therapy in correctional settings (Thomas & Matusitz, 2015). Building these qualities via therapeutic treatment in prison, especially with the use of animals, may be beneficial to prisoners who "are at high risk of manifesting emotional and psychological difficulties" (Comstock et al, 2008).…”

“…Although inmates often return to the same environments after incarceration, prison time should be geared toward helping inmates build the life skills needed for mutual empathy, respect, and trust, especially in the face of addiction and mental illness. Mutual empathy and growth and healthy development are nurtured through good relationships (Thomas & Matusitz, ). The effect that animals have on a person's ability to love, empathize, and experience compassion provides reason for further exploration of animal‐assisted therapy in correctional settings (Thomas & Matusitz, ).…”

Animal-assisted therapy in a Canadian psychiatric prison

“…The mental health clinicians and therapy dog handlers observed the same. Thomas and Matusitz (2016) acknowledge that humans can experience a relational connectedness with an animal just as they can with another human. Gavriele-Gold (2011) described the human-animal connection as unique though, sharing that it is "exceptionally private and unambiguousunknowable in human relationships, because, at its deepest level, it is essentially wordless" (p. 98).…”

When Dogs Make the Difference: Jail-Based Parenting With and Without Animal-Assisted Therapy

“…Preliminary results indicate that PAPS are correlated with increasing self-worth, confidence, social skills, empathy, self-awareness, and engagement, while also decreasing infractions (Enders-Slegers, 2000; Fournier et al, 2007). Dogs can create a normalizing effect inside a correctional facility (Smith & Smith, 2019) and help reduce feelings of isolation (Allison & Raamswamy, 2016; Thomas & Matusitz, 2016). Programs that specifically use AAT can help incarcerated persons be more introspective because they form a connection to the dogs, making them feel loved and supported (Dell et al, 2019).…”

“…Symbiotic relationships develop between humans and animals that can improve relationships with other people by encouraging empathy and growth. Engaging with animals can help in the healing process, especially for incarcerated women who have long histories of abuse or experience difficulties trusting others because of dysfunctional relationships in childhood (Collica-Cox & Fagin, 2018; Thomas & Matusitz, 2016). Combining an evidence-based parenting class with animal-assisted therapy (AAT) may increase the benefits of such programming for women and their children.…”