NCJ Number
231848
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 49 Issue: 6 Dated: August-September 2010 Pages: 417-433
Date Published
August 2010
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article examines the use and impact of animal-assisted therapy with female inmates struggling with mental illness.
Abstract
Female offenders' mental health needs have consistently been shown to exceed those of male offenders. Incarcerated women report higher rates of violent victimization, major depression, posttraumatic stress diorder, mood disorders, substance use disorders, and personality disorders. For years, researchers have examined the human-animal relationship through the lens of attachment theory in order to understand the symbiosis that exists. The following article describes a pilot animal-assisted therapy program implemented at Utah State Prison for female inmates struggling with mental illness. Following this description, a clinical case example is used to illustrate the impact of this program on a particular group member. References (Published Abstract)