Effects of a Dog-assisted Program in a Japanese Prison

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of a dog-assisted program for inmates in a prison for the first time in Japan. The program was conducted with groups of inmates with a variety of psychiatric and/or developmental disorders. The program was provided as training for stress management and communication. Male inmates interacted with trained pet dogs and their volunteer handlers in semi-structured group sessions. Questionnaire surveys were conducted regarding the mood states of the inmates and the handlers both before and after each session. The handlers also filled out an evaluation questionnaire about the sessions and inmates. The inmates and the handlers evaluated the sessions positively as a whole. The mood states of both the inmates and handlers generally improved after the sessions. The handlers also reported that the inmates’ interaction skills improved over time for the different diagnostic groups. The handlers considered not only the interactions with the inmates but also the welfare of their dogs to be important. The handlers’ evaluations about the inmates were positively related to the inmates’ moods.